The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted their second annual Women in Sports and Entertainment Conference at Dodger Stadium, with the sold-out event featuring keynote speakers Jeanie Buss and Janet Marie Smith, in addition to panels that included Kirsten Watson, Jessica Mendoza, Sue Jo, Nischelle Turner and more.
Each of the women shared insight into their respective career paths and struggles along the way.
Watson and Mendoza were part of a session that focused on broadcasting and media, while there were separate groups for front office roles and content creators. Los Angeles Dodgers Women’s Opportunity Network (W.O.N.) members moderated each panel.
The 400 guests were treated to breakfast on the infield at Dodger Stadium as they heard from Buss, owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers. She reflected on being a teenager when her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, provided business opportunities within his empire, and shared favorite memories.
Attendees then broke into groups to hear from professionals in the industry. Watson courageously detailed how challenging her first season as Dodgers reporter was in 2021, what it took to overcome obstacles of learning the intricacies of baseball and more.
Mendoza recalled becoming the first female analyst for a nationally televised MLB game and wanting to ensure it was a springboard moment for all rather than simply a one-off.
Mendoza, Watson, Turner and Brooke Cersosimo also answered questions from the audience and offered guidance on best practices to break into sports and entertainment.
The afternoon concluded with Smith discussing her work in building Camden Yards, the Dodger Stadium renovations and more projects. Smith, executive vice president of planning and development, is the highest-ranking woman in the Dodgers front office (excluding the ownership group).
Dodgers Women’s Opportunity Network
The Women’s Opportunity Network was established in 2020 to create a safe and equitable space for women to thrive and to demonstrate they add tangible value to the organization’s success.
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