Dear WiST Fam and Friends,
It is with tremendous gratitude and full hearts that we announce the dissolution of WiST. After seven years of bringing our mission to life through countless incredible experiences and impactful relationships in our industry, our team and our Board unanimously agree this is the right time to bring our operations to a close.
To say we are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together would be an understatement. Your trust in our team and commitment to our mission allowed us to succeed even beyond my own high expectations. We have created enormous awareness, delivered career-changing opportunities and built a passionate global community that lives on. Our community is equally balanced between women and men, and allyship has been a major force in our success.
Milestones of Impact:
114 WiST Fellows: There will be positive ripple effects for decades as this remarkable force of diverse and brilliant talent has been cultivated in our industry through our prestigious program. Of the Fellows who have graduated, nearly 80% are now working in the industry, and 42% of those are already in leadership roles. I am so proud of the thousands of hours of 1:1 mentorship WiST has provided to these brilliant individuals, along with professional career workshops to improve their chances of success.
Talent Pipeline Enhancement: On the WiST NETWORK, the single source for diverse talent, over 7,500 candidates have applied for roles from this job board where our partners are Featured Employers. We will sunset the platform in September and encourage open role posting on our LinkedIn Community page.
Engagement and Education: Our WiST Presents original content, and virtual and live events have inspired over 100,000 individuals globally. Since our inception, we have presented Fireside Chats on “Culture Matters: Inclusion Powers Innovation” to countless partners’ employees and conference attendees. Our WiST Career Toolkit provides invaluable advice for any job seeker in any industry. This content will remain on our website indefinitely, along with info on the Fellowship program.
Improved Culture: We are thrilled to report that from 2018 to 2024, Fellows reported a 25% increase in positive support on the job, company ethics and inclusivity. Bootstrapping our way to success, we have been supported by donations from over 60 corporate partners and startups who understand the business case for diversity and inclusivity. Numerous businesses are now modeling their own internship programs after our comprehensive program.
What’s Next: We’re leaving a tremendous legacy to be proud of. As Dr. Seuss said: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened!” Thousands of batons are now passed to everyone associated with WiST to keep the mission alive! Time to pay it forward, everyone, as the fight for equity in all forms continues, knowing that we don’t all start on the same starting line in life.
The Ask:
Be a person in the arena, dare greatly. Dare to do THE THING you feel must be done, especially if it has the potential to improve others’ lives. Don’t complain about injustice, BE the change you want to see. With all your heart. Bring the most intelligent, amazing and empathetic people into the process with you to cover for your own blindspots. The only failure is if you don’t try. Progress should always be the goal.
With Gratitude to our Amazing VIPs:
Partners and Donors: We wouldn’t be here without our core of committed corporate partners, including Elizabeth O’Brien (All-Star founding Board member), Jenna Kurath, Sameer Ahuja, Mike Levine, Amy Crosland, Martin Schlegel, Cam Vale, Amir Zonozi, Sean Forman, Jaclyn Mahoney, Charline Berry, Martin Killeen, Jonathan Tellez, Nancy Hensley, Will Lopes, Hania Poole, Quiana Wright, Annie Gerhart-Ramsay, Ginny Cheng, Michelle Apodaca, Jay Duke, Andrea’ Lattimore, Sonja Haas, Lydie Bayel, Melissa Palarea, Faith Wheller, India Thomson, Shikha Tandon, Mikael Mattsson and so many more who took full advantage of all that WiST offered to diversify their talent pipelines and work to improve culture. Thank you to Sandra Conway for her incredible generosity and for believing in our mission. We all agree. Culture DOES matter.
Staff, the A-Team: I have endless gratitude and respect for Casey Saussy, who impeccably led our partnerships and programs with dedication, integrity and joy, Laura Zavelson who heavy-lifted with us to professionalize our non-profit to meet demand, and Alison Reed, who created and executed critically important program processes. We so appreciate Kristiana Passeri, who came to us as a high school student, became a 2022 WiST Fellow, graduated early from college and has done very impactful work for us. Thank you Emma Henzes, for your marketing expertise and endless positive energy and to 2021 WiST Fellow Alexis Medrano and Kaelyn Spencer for your valuable contributions. Hooray for our friends at Fresh Tape Media – thank you Alana Glenn Moritz and Jared Kleinstein for your partnership and social media support. Thank you Brendan Hemp for fabulous graphic design work for us over the years. Huge thank you to Gretchen Reeves, who built WiST’s operational foundation in our earlier years and to 2020 WiST Fellow Cydney Dodson for her contributions.
Board: Shout out to our WiST Board executive team including Alysse Soll, our wise, unflappable Board Chair who unfailingly has my back and has championed our every effort with countless hours of her own time, Sandy Khaund, our Board Treasurer who also donated valuable time to the Fellowship program as application reader, interviewer and mentor, and Siobhan Dullea, whose non-profit board leadership expertise as our Board Secretary and wicked humor have also been critical to our success. Big group hug with our current Board members for their unwavering support through an incredible journey together: Alex Miles, Amir Zonozi, Elizabeth O’Brien, Lisa Bodine, Stephanie Howard, Vicki Dallas, Wendy Yang. Other founding Board leaders integral to our success include Mel Strong, Kendall Tyson, Victoire Cogevina Reynal, Neda Tabatabaie, Jill Stelfox, Glenna Patton, Steven Webster and Jarvis Sam.
Volunteers: Did you know we wouldn’t be here without WiST co-founders Nina Luker and Jamie Kent, who shared my WiST vision in the early days and volunteered countless hours with me to bring WiST to life? They are so brilliant that with their passionate support, I knew we would create something meaningful in our industry. Shout out to ALL the WiST advisors, volunteers and former Fellows who devoted incredible time, energy and expertise to our programs – thank you! Here I’d also like to acknowledge and recognize my long time friend/advisor/mentor Louis Patler for his calm wisdom and relevant fabulous advice – every time.
Look what we all did together! Let’s keep it going!
On behalf of our team and our Board, leading WiST has been our honor and privilege. Our legacy in this industry thrives as each of us continues to support our Fellows community and we pay it forward individually and collectively. I’m truly excited for my own next chapter and continuing to work with many of you. My last shout out here is to my husband, Craig, and our daughters, Kelly and Darcy, who inspire and support everything that I do.
With immense gratitude,
Marilou McFarlane
August 27, 2024
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In their own words:
“As a young woman from a country with limited sports science expertise, my experience with WiST has transformed my personal and professional life in ways I never imagined. In just three short years, this community has given me relationships that profoundly enrich my life and will continue to do so for years to come. My mentors and WiST peers have opened doors I never thought possible, helping me secure a place at tables I once only dreamed of, and empowering me to find a voice strong enough to challenge the status quo in this male-dominated industry. The positive impact WiST has had on my life, and on the lives of countless other young women and non-binary individuals, is immeasurable, and something for which I will always be deeply grateful.” Gauri Desai, 2021 WiST Fellow
“The last day of my internship with Bleacher Report is today, and I just wanted to say thank you so much for the opportunity and your ongoing support. It’s so full circle that I interned at the same office you interned at in college, Turner Broadcasting. (As I’m writing this I’m looking at the Georgia Tech track!!) The WiST Fellowship changed my life and impacted me in personal and professional ways that I will be eternally grateful for. My internship reaffirmed my interest in pursuing Product Management, hopefully at a wellness/sports company. I appreciate your guidance in finding sports tech startups for my gap semester too. It is so encouraging to know that I’ll be supported by the WiST community for the rest of my career. Thanks again and please stay in touch! I’d love to give back to WiST and pay it forward however I can.” Agnes Mar, 2024 WiST Fellow
“Being a WiST Fellow changed the trajectory of my career in sports! It has allowed me to join a community of caring and empowering women. WiST has allowed me to find safe, candid spaces to discuss the reality of being a woman in the workforce, and navigating a male-dominated industry. The Fellowship connected me not only to opportunities within sports, but to an incredible support system and network!” – Marley Davis-Martin, 2021 WiST Fellow
“Women in Sports Tech has left an immeasurable impact on my life. When I joined as a high schooler, I knew I wanted to work in sports, but I had no idea how to get there. I was invited in and supported by this community and have made connections that will last a lifetime. Not only did I gain unforgettable experience in the industry, but I also now work at a long-time WiST partner! I can’t imagine where I’d be if it weren’t for WiST and the support of everyone involved in making it a reality. Together, we have the power to change this industry, and I can’t wait to see it happen with this wonderful group that WiST has brought together.” – Kristiana Passeri, 2022 WiST Fellow
