Q: Where are you from originally? How did you end up at Roanoke College?
I’m originally from Baltimore, Maryland, born and raised. It’s a funny story, I ended up at Roanoke College because a good friend of mine from high school, who was a year ahead of me, went to Roanoke College and when I visited her, I immediately fell in love with the campus and small-town vibe. After a few additional visits I was sold.
Q: What was your experience at Roanoke College like?
It was amazing. I was fortunate enough to play on the tennis team and was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. To this day, some of my best friends are friends I made at Roanoke.
Q: Did any faculty or staff serve as mentors to you?
Yes, several faculty and staff made a lasting impact on me. Those mentors helped shape the way I approach both my professional and personal life. I still carry many of their lessons with me today.
Having received my degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing, Dr. Nazemi especially stands out as a mentor to me. He was always so helpful as I was selecting my courses for the next semester and was a trusted advisor.
Q: How did you land in your current role, and what is it like?
Just a year after graduating from Roanoke, I started a job in customer service at Under Armour, which allowed me to learn the language of the company from the ground up. Over the next 21 years, I wore many hats, mostly in sports marketing, and I am now senior manager of partnerships and entertainment. My day-to-day includes identifying and negotiating new athlete and influencer partnerships, but I also develop and execute brand activations and strategies to create authentic storytelling moments for our existing roster. It requires a lot of cross-functional collaboration, and there’s never a dull moment!
Q: Have you worked with some big names?
Yes, I’ve been blessed to work with some of the world’s best athletes, including Lindsey Vonn, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Ray Lewis and Deion Sanders. I have also been able to attend some of the largest sporting events, and these are pinch-me moments that I do not take for granted.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
I love working for a brand that is unapologetically passionate about performance, innovation and pushing limits. The energy is contagious — everyone is driven to make athletes better, and that shared mission creates a motivating, team-oriented environment.
It is also inspiring to work alongside talented, driven individuals who share a common goal. We’re not just selling apparel and footwear, we’re helping athletes perform their best and inspiring people to be the best version of themselves. Being part of that mission is really rewarding.
Q: How has your Roanoke College education helped you on your life journey, both in your career and outside of it?
Roanoke taught me how to think critically, communicate effectively and not be scared to take risks, even if you fail. My education at Roanoke is a foundational pillar in how I approach my professional career as a woman in the sports industry, giving me the confidence to navigate each day with integrity, resilience and strength.