Nov 14, 2021
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today I’m sharing an insightful conversation with Dena Freeman-Patton, the Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics at California State University-Dominguez Hills.
Dena grew up a child of educators, and although she played rec
softball and informal basketball growing up, high school was the
first time she played organized basketball. That was early enough
for her to earn a Dl scholarship!
It was through one of a few internships that she discovered her
love for working in sports. Her longtime inclination to support
others influenced her decision to pursue academic advising in
college athletics.
But as she climbed through the administrative ranks in Division I
athletics departments, Dena reached a crossroads. Through career
training and conversations with connections and mentors, Dena
realized she needed to change the industry perception of her and
her skillsets, and she chose to become more strategic about moving
up in athletics. She embarked on a 360-degree reflection, started
“cross-training” (as she calls it) with trusted colleagues who
could lend new skill sets, and set boundaries on what career moves
would or would not be right for her.
In our conversation, Dena reminds us that we are in control of our
career paths. She emphasizes that transparency allows leaders to be
both effective and known...and being known leads to
opportunities.
Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!