For Women’s History Month, we spoke to some of the inspiring women who work with Nashville SC about their experiences in the industry, how they got to where they are today, and what this month means to them.
Rosemarie Orlando - Technical
What is your role within NSC?
I'm the Assistant Team Admin, so basically, I help Jeff take care of all the players. Any relocation--getting cars, getting visas, and getting Social Security numbers. Making sure that they're happy where they're at and that they succeed off the field. Additionally, them and their family, making sure that they're happy with their living situation; solve any issues they may need help with; organizing their lives. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what I do because every day is so different.
Is that what you like about it?
Yeah, I do. I like how it's not consistent, and things just pop up randomly.
Talk to us about your career path. Where did you start and what led you here?
I first started coaching camps at the L.A. Galaxy when I was 20, right out of college. I did that for about two years. Got a few promotions that later got me a position as a full-time coordinator. And then Covid hit, so I got let go. Which let me to get an automotive job here in Nashville. It was coordinating classes for people that wanted to work in dealerships--which I didn't know anything about cars or dealerships. I lasted about eight months and was like, “You know what, this is not for me.” So, I took a job at Bridgestone Arena in staffing. Still not necessarily sports, but it was entertainment. I did that for a few years and then was like, “Yeah no. This still is not sports.” I figured this was the perfect time to try something new. When I was growing up, I always want to work in soccer. So eventually this position opened, I applied and somehow got through four rounds of interviews and got the job. This is truly a dream job and so full circle, which is kind of crazy because when I moved here, I said that I'm going to be working for Nashville SC. I look back and I'm like that's actually insane.
You played soccer growing up. Was it always soccer for you? When did that love for soccer start?
I started when I was four and a half in YSO, a rec league. Played that until I was around 12. Did club, high school, and eventually played JC for two years and then University for two years, which led me to play a little bit of Semi-Pro. So it was just in my blood. My family's Italian: My dad's from Italy, and he loves soccer. When we were younger, he was like, “You guys are just going to be playing soccer.” And I ended up being decent at it, and it just kind of stuck. I didn't really know what else to like. I knew I always wanted to work in soccer. I know it's so cliché, but it really was. I mean, I tried other things. I tried different paths and different careers, and they just never stuck.
What do you believe is the importance for female representation in the sports industry?
I’m going to be a cliché, but I really think it's just believing in yourself. I’ve been told no so many times--not even just in my career, people all the time tell me no. And then I'm like, “You have no idea who I am. You have no idea what I'm capable of.” But, like, in a good way, right? So, any time someone told me no, it's just motivation. I can do it. I know I can do it. Just because it’s a male dominated industry doesn't mean anything to me. And I think that's the most important thing is you must believe in yourself. Other people can believe in you, but if you don't believe in yourself, that’s lethal.
Who is your professional role model?
I would say my sister. I think she was always very driven as well. She opened her own business and she's also a physical therapist. I saw her go through schooling, I saw her try to balance her social life, her family, school. And now she's balancing her family; and owning a business; and trying to be a mother. So it's motivating to see her do that. And I'm like, if she can do it, it's reachable for me. Like, dang my sister has two kids, and she does all of that. It’s super motivating.
What does it mean to you to represent women at the professional level, here at NSC?
It makes me feel super excited. I never thought that I could do it. Being here is an accomplishment 100 percent, but it wasn’t unreachable for me. I've worked in a male dominated industry my entire life, so just because there's more males in this field doesn't mean that I am held back in any way.
What is like working alongside other women within the technical staff?
I don't work super close with them, but it's nice having two other girls you can go to. It’s nice to have those two who are comforting. And then seeing Sydney becoming the head athletic trainer is so awesome. And Bre, everyone respects her here too. She’s killing it. They kill it every day.
What does WHM mean to you?
It’s a tough question because I'm lucky. It never came across as something super important like it is now. It’s great that we have a month but super cliché. It should be all year round. It should be a norm that girls are doing so well in every single industry. I know how cool I am. I celebrate that every day. I want others to also see it too, that you don't need a month to point it out.
Mondrivia James - Academy
What is your role within NSC?
I am the Welfare Officer, and I bridge the gap between the student athlete and the parent, the student athlete and the coach. For those of a certain era, I like to say I am the Mrs. Garrett of the Facts of Life TV Show. I always like to refer to them as student athletes in my role, where you may hear the coaches just say players. My job is to--number one--when we have out of state players, oversee them and be their representative; be a voice for the student; work with host families of the student athletes that are part of the program, the one that makes sure their grades are up to par and meet a certain standard to go out and train. Overall, I protect the integrity of the organization when it comes to player academics. I am definitely not a teacher, and I have to remind them of that. But I tell them I’m a Gemini. I like to help them, but I can lay it down when it’s time to do so.
Talk to us about your career path. Where did you start and what led you here?
My career path has started out in entertainment, and I was with country music television for 12 years before I moved over to academics. I've always liked helping others and making sure others are taken care of. I am a natural caregiver; I like looking after people. When my mom had passed away and I took a break from work, I was her caregiver for seven years here in Nashville. So, I kind of took a step back from life and let, you know, life do life. And then I saw this position, I interpreted it as caring for people who needed a voice. And that's why I applied for the position. And that's kind of what brought me here. It was out of a mutual need. They needed a Welfare Officer, and I needed to be able to care for people I love.
What do you believe is the importance for female representation in the sports industry?
Even though they’re kids--you know, 14, 17, and 18--they’re still somebody’s kid. And I think being a female, particularly in this role, has its advantages because I think females do and see things through a different perspective. When it comes to sports in general, just being able to be a female, to be able to give a different view or to look at things with a different filter, I really think that's what's great for this role and for women in sports in general--to bring a different perspective and bring a different voice. When it's something that matters and it's important, we will let our voice be heard.
Who is your professional role model?
I think the people that have made me who I am today are my mother, but also my sorority sisters. The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha at my undergrad chapter, Alpha Phi at North Carolina A&T, are my line sisters. There were 36 of us. I am very close to all of them, and I can honestly say the values that my mother taught me and the values that I am still learning today from my sisters has been so important. We encourage each other. They get me. They know when I am being unreasonable. They know when I'm being crazy. They know when I need to dial it back. They are true friends. They know how to be honest with me. And that's what I really value. I also want to give a nod to my mom and dad. They both were not college-educated. They were tradespeople, and they had me later in life. But for them to be older parents, I never felt like I had old parents. I could dream up what I wanted to do, and they made a way to make it happen. So, I still hold on to that and cherish those things they used to say to me when I was a kid. And that's the only way that I'm here now, just through their strength and their lessons as well as through having such good friends on my side.
What does WHM mean to you?
You know, being Women's Month, it's like in some ways the more things change for us, unfortunately they stay the same. It’s an ongoing process to learn how to circumvent that. We have come a long way, but we've still got a long way to go. We are in uncertain times, but you must remain positive. Seasons come and seasons go. I look forward to the seasons where women are at the top of all of their games: More general managers, equal pay in and outside sports. We must remember our past so that we can continue to move forward. I hope that we can celebrate that.
Holly Manes – Front Office
What is your role within NSC?
My role within NSC is the Marketing and Merchandising Manager. I am responsible for various marketing campaigns and promotions, as well as email marketing and merchandise.
Talk to us about your career path. Where did you start and what led you here?
I started as an intern during my last semester of college, and I was the Consumer Marketing Intern during the semester that we were working to open the stadium. I knew for a long time that I wanted to work in sports and really enjoyed my time interning at NSC. So, when I graduated, I moved back to Nashville and was lucky enough to have a role open at the club that summer. I then started my first full-time role at the club, which was Marketing and Merchandise Coordinator.
Who is your professional role model?
My professional role model is definitely my sister. My sister is an entrepreneur and an amazing businesswoman who has taken her own ideas and brought them to life. No matter how difficult they may seem or outrageous they might seem to other people, she's been able to turn them into something amazing just with hard work, dedication, and creativity. I definitely look up to her in terms of work ethic. She also really values her relationships with her own staff and her coworkers and colleagues, which is something that I value. I really respect her for and how she carries herself as well.
What do you believe is the importance for female representation in the sports industry?
I would say that female representation is huge because sports is something that so many people around the world have in common. Whether it be through playing, whether it be through being a fan, coming together with our things we have in common, but also just being women, is something that's really cool. I was always very into sports and didn't see a lot of female representation when it came to my favorite sports like hockey and soccer. And so, it's been really important and cool to see more representation happen. And working on the retail side of things, there's still a lot of work to be done. There's still a lack of representation when it comes to female-specific merchandise and things in that space. And so with my role, it's been really cool to be able to have a part in expanding what our female representation is in our merchandise and taking feedback from staff and fans to try to show that there is a demand for better and more exciting female merchandise. Because women love soccer and they want cool things to wear. And so being able to work on projects like Women and Gold, which is our exclusive women's store in celebration of Women's History Month and Barbie Game Day™, has been really awesome to see girls like me and women like me get excited.
What does WHM mean to you?
It's a great thing that we take this month to recognize and champion for those specifically in this situation, where we're doing it for other women that work in sports and play sports. But it is a reminder that there's always more that can be done. I think we're using this month to show that women can be anything, like with Barbie Game Day™ and in sports in general. So, I think just using this month as a medium to continue it all the way through the year is really important.
Rebecca Kelly – GEODIS
What is your role within NSC?
Providing overnight monitoring and protection of both our Stadium and Training Facility by controlling access, monitoring activities through cameras and patrols, adjusting lighting and access for private events and maintaining multiple facility systems, for example, Fire Protection.
Talk to us about your career path. Where did you start and what led you here?
I have been blessed to work in a variety of industries through the years in management, training, sales, and customer success. Moving back to Tennessee to care for family opened an opportunity to work a second job, leading me to NSC and a chance to work sports. I have been an athlete and a fan for many sports through the years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be with a great organization like NSC!
What do you believe is the importance for female representation in the sports industry?
I have watched the world change around me in so many ways over the years. To see the growth from Title IX to women’s teams packing stadiums today has been amazing. Female presence and representation cannot be taken for granted. It must be honored and valued for all the hard work that brought us here today!
Who is your professional role model?
Pat Summitt with the Tennessee Vols will always be a role model for me and so many. She paved a path for women early on with her work ethic and leadership.
Two of my favorite quotes of hers:
- “Here’s how I’m going to beat you. I’m going to outwork you. That’s it. That’s all there is to it.”
- “Success is a project that’s always under construction.”
What does it mean to you to be a woman at NSC/GEODIS?
I am blessed to work for a great organization, great teammates and great leadership while working in a sports venue that is focused on taking our team to the next level. I am grateful and excited to grow and build something very special here in Nashville!
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
A current article states that 45% of girls quit sports by age 14…we must teach our young athletes never quit or give up on your dream. A dream may change or be redirected, but never give up. Our Women’s Sports History is so rich and full of great examples for everyone and should be shared as often as possible.
