Former Midget Aeros Graduate Making Her Mark in Sports Analytics
Molly Tissenbaum, Product Director, Sports Innovation Lab
An enthusiastic supporter of data-driven decision-making, Molly Tissenbaum’s work on two industry-defining data reports has moved the narrative around women’s sports toward a savvy business venture delivering high ROI.
Age: 28
Born: Toronto
Education: Harvard University, B.A., sociology
Getting to Know Molly
Year’s greatest challenge: Managing a growing team that includes remote workers. I’m a big believer in the power of collaboration, so managing a team with an increasing workload is both exciting and challenging.
Go-to person when I need help: It’s a toss-up between my parents and my brother. No one knows me better than they do, so they’re often my go-to when I have a problem (even if it is just to validate what I thought was the solution to the problem in the first place!).
My inspiration: Learning something new. I grew up in a household where reading, curiosity, and a challenge were things that were admired, so the feeling of finishing a book or mastering a new skill inspires me to continue learning.
When I attend a sporting event, I want … : Great seats, great company, great athletes, and a close game.
In the Industry
Biggest surprise when I started my career: How far women still have to go in business to achieve equity. I’m very lucky to be at a company where most of the executive team is women, but that’s not universal.
Most exciting aspect of sports business: The respect it’s earning as a home for innovative thinkers with a command over technology, finance, and more.
How my generation is changing the sports industry: We’re changing what it means to be an athlete. Athlete is a genderless term, and my generation is fighting hard to make that a reality. It’s a really inspiring thing to realize that the next generation will grow up with role models who are “athletes,” regardless of their gender.
In 10 years, I hope to be … : In charge of data and strategy for a women’s sports league or team.