Meet our first guest on Season 3 of Closing the Gap, Missy Smith (She/Her).

Missy is an Associate Athletic Director at Oregon Episcopal School and the founder of the Oregon Girls Sports Leadership Summit. Join us as we talk about the importance of networking and how we can bring a leadership mindset both onto the court and into the classroom!

Q: Please describe your educational/training background.

I have a Bachelor of Science from OSU in Exercise and Sports Science, a Masters of Arts & Teaching from Lewis & Clark College, and a Certified Masters Of Athletic Administration from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Q: Please describe where you work & your occupation.

I am an athletic director, teacher, and coach.

Q: Career-wise, what have been your proudest moments/highlights/accomplishments so far?

Founding the Oregon Girls Sports Leadership Summit and hosting it for the past 6 years.
Being voted coach of the year in our district for boys golf. Helping to raise 17 Million dollars so we could open our new athletic center.

Q: What are some of your future goals or things you would like to accomplish?

I would like to move the leadership summit around the state and the around the country.
I also think it would be great to become a consultant for women in leadership or a life coach.

Q: What have been some of your biggest career challenges?

Working in a male-dominated industry, as well as, moving up and getting my title changed.

Q: Many young women might not be aware of the career available in STEM fields. What do you think can be done to spread the word to women about career options in these fields?

I think that we could start hosting leadership clinics with a twist to STEM instead of sports. I have actually thought about this a lot.

Q:  Do you have any advice for women who are looking to follow in a similar career path?

Get out there and do it. There are so many jobs open in my career path and they are looking to fill those jobs with women, in both coaching, and in administration.

Q: What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?

In my spare time, I like to golf, run, hang out with friends, hike, travel, and play pickleball.

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