Jessica Berman is ready to lead by example and continue a cycle of mentorship that she has benefited from throughout her career.
Berman was named the National Lacrosse League's deputy commissioner and executive vice-president of business affairs on Monday, becoming the highest-ranking female executive of any men's professional sports league in North America. Berman, who has been an executive with the NHL for more than a decade, wants to serve as a role model for other aspiring sports executives.
"I think of it as a sense of responsibility," said Berman on Wednesday. "Both with respect to how I execute and show up for this really important role as well as how I continue to make time for folks who really need support and guidance."
Berman spent the last 13 years with the NHL, most recently as vice president for community development, culture and growth. She will oversee all of the NLL's legal affairs and transactions, manage team services, and assist the commissioner with the league's overall growth strategy.
Her appointment drew praise from the hockey world, with Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan tweeting it was "a great hire." NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was even more effusive.
"As a colleague it is easy to recognize that she is whip-smart, enthusiastic and collaborative and we wish her all the best as she takes on this new role," said Bettman in a statement.
Berman lists NHL outside counsel Bob Batterman, NHL deputy commissioner and chief legal officer Bill Daly, and Kim Davis, the NHL's executive vice president, social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs, as major influences on her career. Drawing inspiration from how they helped her, Berman hopes to use her new position to mentor others.
"For my whole career I've tried to make myself available to not just women, but men as well, who are interested in getting career advice or breaking into the industry. I always try to remind myself that I've been given lots of access to people in the industry at every stage of my career.
"This will be really no different, other than the scale and visibility of the role."
In addition to supporting NLL commissioner Nick Sakiewicz in his projects, Berman will also bring her experience with labour relations to the league. She wants to make lacrosse more accessible for fans — both as spectators and as participants.
"In the last four years I've really been focused on inclusion and diversity and insuring that everyone who wants to have access to our sport, the sport of hockey, feels welcome and safe to do so," said Berman. "I hope to bring some of that line of thinking and initiatives to the lacrosse league as we know that demographics are shifting across North America, especially in Canada.
"We want to make sure that we're staying relevant to all new audiences that might be interested in consuming our game."
___
Follow @jchidleyhill on Twitter
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
