Laila Brock is the Senior Vice President for Community Impact and Strategic Partnerships at Atlanta Dream, a 2023 WNBA playoff team. She joined the Dream in December 2022, aligning the organization’s mission with its business development objectives and emphasizing the team’s core values.
With over 20 years as a sports executive, Laila’s expertise spans several significant roles. Before her current position, she was the Vice President of Business Development for JMI Sports, where she was instrumental in increasing revenue through strategic initiatives. Her experience also includes pivotal roles at the College Football Playoff and the Orange Bowl Committee. Laila holds both a bachelor of arts and a master’s degree from Penn State University and was a captain of the women’s track and field team during her collegiate years.
Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:
- [0:03] Introduction to Laila Brock and her role at the Atlanta Dream.
- [1:16] Laila’s mission to empower women, girls, and the community through strategic partnerships.
- [3:55] Overview of Laila’s 20-year career, including her work with the College Football Playoff and Orange Bowl.
- [5:13] How Laila aligns corporate partnerships with community impact, featuring Microsoft and Coca-Cola.
- [8:10] The importance of relationship-building in Laila’s leadership approach.
- [14:03] Laila’s journey from student-athlete to sports executive and her transition to professional sports.
- [21:05] Key strategies for developing impactful partnerships and driving revenue in the sports industry.
- [24:24] Laila’s leadership style: building strong, collaborative teams and focusing on clear communication.
- [31:36] The Atlanta Dream’s future plans and initiatives, including playoff preparations and long-term goals.
- [33:26] The pivotal moments and risks in Laila’s career that shaped her approach to leadership.
- [35:35] Laila’s perspective on employee development and creating opportunities for growth within her team.
- [37:51] Colleagues and mentors who have influenced Laila’s career and leadership style.
In This Episode…
Sports have always been more than just a game, influencing cultures, economies, and leaving lasting impressions on our collective memory. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes when a team drives impactful revenue?
Laila Brock provides a fresh perspective on achieving a balanced trifecta in the world of sports: building a robust team, forging a strong community with lasting impact, and ensuring sustainable revenue generation. While immediate gains are important, it’s the harmony between these elements that propels an event to legendary status, guaranteeing both community and financial rewards.
In this episode of WRK & WIN, host Corinne Milien sits down with Laila Brock, Senior Vice President for Community Impact and Strategic Partnerships at Atlanta Dream.Laila shares her insights on building successful partnerships and emphasizes the importance of finding good teammates who share the same values. They discuss the art of crafting unforgettable experiences, the vital role of stakeholder collaboration, and the synergy between passion, purpose, and profit in the sports industry. Join them to discover how sports events can leave a lasting mark both in the arena and in the community.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Corinne Milien on LinkedIn
- WRK
- Laila Brock on LinkedIn
- Atlanta Dream
- Charles Nieves on LinkedIn
- JMI Sports
- College Football Playoff
- Institute for Sport and Social Justice
- Florida Atlantic University
- Morgan Shaw Parker on LinkedIn
- Michael Kelly
- Eric Poms on LinkedIn
- Bill Hancock on LinkedIn
- Maya Branch on LinkedIn
- Kelly Lee on LinkedIn
- Dr. Jeffrey O’Brien on LinkedIn
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by WRK.
In the dynamic world of sports and entertainment, managing a successful business is about more than just the bottom line — it’s about the people who make it happen.
WRK is your go-to partner for people-powered HR and staffing solutions, designed to overcome your toughest workforce challenges.
From fostering employee engagement through positive employee relations to developing future leaders with their Leadership Development programs, WRK‘s services are designed to maximize the performance of your team and ensure a vibrant, inclusive work culture.
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Go to www.letsdowrk.com to learn more.