How Identity Has Influenced an Assistant Athletic Director at Nebraska Athletics' Career
Mattie's career path has been significantly shaped by being one of few women in predominantly male spaces, leading them to actively work towards creating a more inclusive environment— "pulling up more chairs and pulling more women in the door"— inspired by a former coach's advice and the influential presence of a senior female administrator. This experience, combined with a deep appreciation for the struggles of past female athletes, fuels Mattie's commitment to increasing opportunities and normalizing women's presence in sports administration.
Women in Sports, Leadership in Athletics, Mentorship, Diversity and Inclusion, Breaking Barriers
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mattie Fowler Burkhardt
Assistant Athletic Director - Annual Giving
University of Nebraska Athletic Department
University of Nebraska, 2015
MBA, University of Nebraska
Finance
Education, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking, Sports & Fitness
Sales and Client Management
Scholarship Recipient, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Making sure that it is not a competition and that you are pulling up more chairs and pulling more women in the door with you.
2. The importance of seeing women in leadership positions to show that it is possible.
3. Always being aware of the women who fought before you to make your opportunities possible and striving to make it easier for the next generation of women in sports.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a woman in sports, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
There have been many times I've been the only woman in the room. A former coach once told me, "Make sure it's not a competition." She explained that if I felt there was only one spot for women, I might be fighting for that single position.
Instead, she advised, "If you get in the room, make sure that you're pulling up more chairs and pulling more women in the door with you." I've always tried to remember this because it's easy to fall into the mindset that there's only space for one. This isn't what we need.
We need to create an empowering environment where we are bringing more women in. I remember seeing a senior administrator when I was a student athlete. She was often the only female administrator on staff. Seeing her made me realize that it was possible for women to be in those positions.
My goal is to have much more diversity throughout our administration and in athletics across the board. We serve student athletes who come from all walks of life, and we want the administration and staff to reflect that diversity. As a woman in this space, I believe we bring unique perspectives.
I was always very aware of and grateful for my opportunity to compete as a student athlete. I was also very aware of the women who had fought with no resources long before me to make my opportunities possible. On tough days, I think of them.
I think of this as someone's dream that was never realized. I need to keep that in mind and try to make it easier for the next generation, ensuring more opportunities. In the future, I hope being a woman in sport won't even be a phrase because it will be so normalized.