Discover inspiring stories of remarkable women making waves in the sports and entertainment venue industry. Our spotlight series highlights the journeys, achievements, and unique experiences of female professionals who are redefining success in their roles. We encourage you to share your own story with us—feel free to email us a picture and your story to be featured on our channels. Join us as we celebrate your contributions, share your insights, and learn from your experiences.
Bryanne Gatewood At Arrowhead Stadium: Bringing Events to Life Behind the Scenes
Bryanne’s journey into the sports industry began with an internship at the Kansas City Chiefs, guided by a clear ambition to work in sports, even before knowing exactly where she would fit. While at university, Bryanne built experience across facilities and events within campus recreation and athletic facilities, developing a strong foundation in venue operations.
During her senior year, she applied to multiple NFL internships, with her final application being for the Facilities Seasonal Assistant position with the Kansas City Chiefs. She accepted the role and relocated from South Florida to Kansas City, Missouri. Throughout the 2022 and 2023 season, Bryanne demonstrated consistency, dedication, and reliability, earning a permanent position within the Stadium Operations Department.
Today, as Conversion Supervisor, Bryanne works alongside both part time and full time staff to set up, break down, and convert event spaces across Arrowhead Stadium. Her responsibilities span internal meetings, corporate events, game days, and cross departmental requirements to ensure each event is delivered successfully.
One of the most rewarding aspects of her role is serving as the main point of contact for game day and concert setups. She has supported major concerts at Arrowhead Stadium, including events featuring Morgan Wallen, Beyoncé, Luke Combs, and other artists. These events often involve transforming locker rooms into dressing rooms, wardrobe areas, offices, or other custom spaces requested by touring teams.
While the sports industry offers access to experiences few get to witness, it also comes with personal challenges. Relocating for a career opportunity means leaving behind familiar routines, friends, and family. For Bryanne, moving to a new city alone required adjustment, but the experience proved invaluable. In Stadium Operations, long hours are common, and co workers quickly become a trusted support system.
Bryanne believes that making a strong first impression and working well with others is essential in the sports industry, as opportunities often emerge through the people you meet along the way. What continues to excite her most is what lies ahead—larger events, greater opportunities, and new challenges. She looks forward to continuing her growth within the industry and contributing to the evolving future of stadium operations.
Claudia Canavati
Head of Commercial Strategy, Saraperos de Saltillo
Head of Commercial Strategy, Saraperos de Saltillo
Claudia Canavati: Building Stories Beyond the Field
In Saltillo, baseball is part of the city’s identity. The Francisco I. Madero Stadium is where the community comes together to share emotion, excitement, and belonging. Every game is an emotional rush, voices rising in unison as the stadium comes alive with every crack of the bat. For Claudia Canavati, this energy defines what a stadium truly represents.
To Claudia, a stadium is a living space shaped by passion and loyalty. It is where every play is felt deeply, where fans and professionals behind the scenes share the same emotions, and where what happens on the field resonates far beyond it. Working in sports and live entertainment had always been a dream, and joining a professional baseball club allowed her to bring those passions together in the place she feels most at home.
Claudia’s transition from the corporate world into sports marked a turning point in her career. Since then, she has focused on building meaningful connections between brands, the team, and the fans, creating experiences that strengthen the club while remaining deeply rooted in the community.
What she values most about the sports environment is its diversity and constant movement. It requires learning across disciplines, adapting quickly, and being ready for the unexpected. At the same time, it offers continuous growth. For Claudia, sports are a school of life, where passion turns into learning and every challenge becomes an opportunity to create value.
Leading Commercial Strategy at Saraperos de Saltillo
Today, Claudia leads the commercial management of Saraperos de Saltillo, a professional baseball team competing in the Mexican Baseball League. The stadium, rich in history and filled with loyal fans, becomes her second home during the season.
Her daily work brings together negotiation, planning, and execution. From the first conversation with a sponsor to close collaboration with internal teams, she ensures that agreements move beyond paper and take shape as real, memorable experiences. This integration is what she values most, seeing how teamwork transforms ideas into moments that fans can feel and remember.
Each activation is an opportunity to turn partnerships into experiences that foster connection with fans and sponsors, generate positive impact within the community, and reflect the club’s values. For Claudia, the most rewarding moments come from seeing dedication reflected in smiles, shared emotions, and lasting memories.
Milestones That Matter
Among her proudest achievements is opening the stadium doors to global brands that have since become part of the club’s history. She is equally proud of helping extend Saraperos’ presence beyond the field, bringing baseball closer to communities, companies, and families.
Claudia has led complex experiences requiring careful planning and coordination, many of which have become unforgettable moments for attendees and trusted partners alike. She is especially passionate about creating personalized fan experiences, from autograph sessions to in stadium activities that energize the stands. Seeing the excitement of children, the joy of families, and the satisfaction of sponsors remains one of the most fulfilling aspects of her work.
Challenges, Growth, and Perspective
The sports industry is defined by unpredictability. Weather, timing, and results on the field all influence fan sentiment and commercial dynamics. Designing experiences that maintain excitement regardless of outcomes has been one of Claudia’s most valuable lessons.
As a woman in an industry where female representation is still limited, Claudia has often found herself in spaces where women are the exception. She sees this not as a barrier, but as an opportunity to open doors and demonstrate that talent and determination know no gender. Each experience continues to reinforce the belief that in sports, as in life, growth never stops.
Looking Ahead
Claudia is excited to remain part of the industry’s evolution, creating projects that leave a lasting impact beyond the stadium and inspire future generations. What motivates her most is knowing that her work creates memorable experiences for fans while opening doors for other women.
She takes great pride in leading a team made up mostly of women, each bringing talent, energy, and commitment to their roles. Seeing more women actively shaping the sports world inspires her daily and strengthens her belief in building paths that others can follow.
Along her journey, Claudia has learned to embrace every step, give her best in every challenge, celebrate victories, and trust herself even in difficult moments. She remains deeply grateful to those who have supported her along the way, as each opportunity has encouraged her to grow, think beyond limits, and deepen her commitment to the industry.
Because the stories within stadiums are not only written on the field. They are also built behind it, with dedication, heart, and the belief that sports truly have the power to transform lives.
We’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible women shaping the future of venues! Magdalena Nour from Malmö FF shares how the club has transformed its sustainability strategy over the past five years, building initiatives that truly stand the test of time.
With a top tier women’s team, one of Sweden’s leading girls’ academies, and a commitment to gender equality at every level, Malmö FF shows how sustainability goes beyond the environment. It’s about creating lasting social impact and empowering women across the game. Here’s to leadership, inclusion, and a brighter future for all venues!
