In this episode, I chat with Marika Warner, Director of Research and Evaluation at MLSE Launchpad.

Topics talked about in the episode:

• Marika's journey from healthcare to the sports industry
• Highlights of her role as the Director of Research and Evaluation at MLSE Launchpad
• 'Change the Game' Research Study: A monumental project exploring the intersection of research and community impact

Navigating the Sports Industry:

• Insight into working with all teams at MLSE, both off-season and in-season
• Unique perspective on how MLSE operates over the calendar year

Personal and Professional Insights:

• Challenges and accomplishments as a working mom in the sports industry
• Advice for aspiring professionals wanting to work in sports
• Networking: Introverts vs Extroverts

Shireen is currently a senior contributor at CBC sports, she is a multi-platform sports journalist, A TEDx speaker, and an award-winning sports activist. Shireen's work centers on the critical intersections of racism and misogyny in sports and her academic insights and commentary are widely published in Canada, the USA, Europe and Australia. Her work has been featured and discussed in Sports Illustrated, espnW, TSN, The Guardian, Vice, Huffington Post, The National Post and list just goes on!

Shireen has a Masters in Media Production from Toronto Metropolitan University, where she also teaches Sports Journalism and Sports Media.

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In today’s episode, we talk about her unconventional path to working in the sports industry, her published work and achievements, the importance of unbiased information in sports journalism, coverage of women’s sports and some amazing advice for aspiring sports journalists to thrive in the field.

Listen in as William Ord shares his experience of working with the Toronto Blue Jays, as part of the Jays Care Foundation. He is a 2022 graduate of Brock University’s Sport Management Program. After completing a Business Development internship with the CEBL’s Niagara River Lions in early 2022, he joined the Toronto Blue Jays as a Sales and Service Representative in May 2022. He then joined the organization full time as the Philanthropy Coordinator for the Jays Care Foundation- the official charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays.”