138. Networking for Women in Sports with VP of Major League Baseball Kate Hussmann

Madam Athlete Podcast episode 138 cover art. Headshot of Kate Hussmann

 

 

Introducing Kate Hussmann

Today I’m talking to Major League Baseball’s Vice President of Club Business Operations and Strategy, Kate Hussmann, about networking for women in sports.

Her Career Journey

Kate started out with an undergrad degree in business with plans to open a restaurant. She went to culinary school and found her first dream job with a gastronomy magazine. After realizing that the reality of the job didn’t line up with her imagination, she looked to transition to a new field. Kate was a multisport athlete growing up and through excellent networking, she got her first job in sports because of a woman contact. 

Kate started in corporate social responsibility with the Charlotte Hornets and after going back to get her MBA moved into strategy and innovation. During the pandemic, Kate took advantage of remote work and moved to New York temporarily to have the experience. She realized that she loved living in the city even during the middle of the pandemic and began looking for work that would let her stay in New York. She was able to take on strategy consulting work with Gotham FC and work at a consulting company before moving to Major League Baseball. Currently, Kate is working as the Vice President of Club Business Operations and Strategy for MLB.

Networking for Women in Sports

Kate has had an incredible career journey with fascinating twists and turns along the way. And throughout her career, tapping into her network has helped her find new positions and opportunities for growth. Kate talks about the specifics of networking for women in sports and how her personal network of badass women in sports has helped support her and her career. She is basically an elite level networker I aspire to be like one day! And I found her through someone in her network, Christa Stout, VP of the Portland Trailblazers and guest on episode #87.

Inside this episode:

  • Kate initially planned on opening a restaurant and went to culinary school after undergrad. She talks about starting out in what she thought would be her dream job and realizing that the reality didn’t match up to her imagination.
  • We talk about learning to be flexible in your career and trying new things and realizing that all of the lessons you learn along the way come along with you and help you in the future.
  • Kate talks about sending out 35 cold emails when she was transitioning into sports and how networking and women mentors have helped further her career, and that it was a woman who helped her get her first job in sports.
  • We dive deep into some of the incredible work she did for the Charlotte Hornets and does now for Major League Baseball, and she talks about the transition from working with one team to working with a league.
  • Kate went back to school again for a third degree to get an MBA, balancing the work and time with the desire to keep options open in her future career choices.
  • The benefits from having supportive bosses who will provide opportunities for growth, and getting after it and raising your hand and doing the work. 
  • The most adorable story of her niece and how she pumps herself up before difficult challenges and how we could all be taking advice from this awesome 4 year old.
  • Kate shares about imposter syndrome and how she builds her confidence and bets on herself.
  • We share our experiences with having short term jobs on our resumes.
  • Kate is an expert networker and shares her tips on networking for women in sports.
  • Balancing work and life and trying to figure out fertility and plans when life just keeps going.

Resources

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