When I stepped on to the field at five years old, I was one of the first girls playing football and more than three decades later, I’m still determined to break new ground for women and sport.
In 2016, I was named as a NZ Women of Influence finalist for my contribution to sport and these days my energy is spent inspiring, educating and enabling brands, media and right’s holders to be part of the tidal wave of opportunity that women’s sport currently presents.
Inspired by the 1999 USA’s Women’s World Cup win when Brandi Chastain famously tore off her shirt after scoring the winning penalty, I achieved a football scholarship at a US college. Later I experienced my idols, including Mia Haam and Abby Wambach, out-run, out-jump and out-muscle me whilst representing the New Zealand Football Ferns from 2003-2007.
Off the pitch I’ve spent over 15 years marketing and developing partnerships for some of the most exciting entertainment and sport brands including NZ Idol, MasterChef, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, All Blacks, World Rowing Champs, Volvo Ocean Race and most recently the Hong Kong Sevens, plus tried my hand as a TV presenter and radio host.
I particularly enjoyed my time at TVNZ as a Content Strategist where I helped brands navigate the changing media landscape by exploiting the increasingly multi-screen behaviour to deliver partnerships outside of the traditional 30 second spot.
I believe brands and rights owners that combine data and creativity successfully will win the hearts of fans, and those who unleash the power of women’s sport will be the biggest winners.
On the weekend, you can find me at a café people-watching, listening to a business strategy podcast and kicking a ball around with my son.