This year’s WISE Houston Power Play focused on the women behind the 2023 Men’s Final Four. In fact, the next three Final Fours (Houston, Phoenix & San Antonio) are led by powerhouse women in each market plus extraordinary women at the NCAA.
Our panel:
- JoAn Scott, Managing Director, Men’s Basketball Championship, NCAA
- Ellen Lucey, Director, Championships & Alliances, NCAA
- Holly Kesterson, President, Houston Local Organizing Committee
- Carla Gomez, Director, Marketing & Communications, Houston Local Organizing Committee
Our moderator:
- Rachel Quan, Vice President, External Operations, Houston Local Organizing Committee
Chapter President, Leah Mastaglio, opened the evening sharing her own experience with the Final Four and how much she was looking forward to the evening. Additionally, Mastaglio shared notes and updates from the Board before handing it over to Quan to moderate.
Topics included:
- Honoring Title IX while also feeling blessed we never had to think about it. And, now, equity means women have the opportunity to speak up even further.
- Working in male-dominant companies and how the role of a strong female has evolved over time. Scott noted it’s important to find that male supervisor who has sisters or a successful wife who can understand/appreciate a bit more and opens more doors. Lucey, on the other hand, noted she blocked out the opinions of men who didn’t understand how she could be so successful. She just proved them wrong.
- When discussing what they would tell their younger selves, Kesterson noted she would try to have more balance earlier vs. grinding. Scott noted you’re going to work really hard and there will still be times things are not fair, but you will be better because of it – just keep going. Gomez noted there is no timetable for achieving anything – do what makes you happy in your own time.
- Scott and Lucey came from a corporate role before the NCAA and how that influences their every day. From her 17 years at Nike, Scott learned the standard should be high and keep evolving. It allows her creative mind to push boundaries. She used the example of wanting a March Madness logo and that was met with all kinds of pushback. And, now, that March Madness logo might be more powerful than the Final Four logo that changes every year. Lucey noted her time at Coca-Cola affords her a level of understanding what brands need/want/go thru in their partnerships and wanting to bring the NCAA further along in truly collaborating on those.
- In discussing how COVID impacted them, each offered a different perspective. Scott noted the bubble was the hardest work challenge she’s ever taken on. But, personally, the pandemic reminded her she didn’t need to travel as much as she had. Kesterson said she spent the first few months un-planning events she had spent years working on, which was difficult to swallow, but personally, it allowed her time with her family.
The panel took additional questions from the audience. Overall, the panel spoke for about an hour and a half with full attention from the audience. It was a night to remember for all in attendance.
