Successful leaders usually do not make their journey alone. Mary Ellen Gillespie credits her leadership journey in part to choosing the right mentors, surrounding herself with strong advocates and the development of her own personal board of directors. Join her as she shares her journey to the athletics director chair and offers insight on how you can build your team in order to advance in your profession. Presented by Mary Ellen Gillespie, director of athletics, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

1. Giving Credit Where
Credit is Due.
Mary Ellen Gillespie
Director of Athletics
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
@gbphoenix
www.greenbayphoenix.com

2. WHY…
Athletics exists to help the institution grow
Partner on campus and in the community
Win/Compete
Platform for engagement-Front Porch
Develop leaders

3. advocate | collaborate | educate

4. “It’s not who you know
– it’s who knows you.”

5. #28 LIFE CHANGING
October 15, 2013
October 16, 2013
October 17, 2013
October 21, 2013
October 22, 2013
November 27, 2013

6. Board of Directors
Greg Christopher
Janna Blais
Dr. Gary Miller
Dave Clawson
Georgia Miller
Jim Fiore
Betsy Mitchell
Samantha Huge
Dr. Ashok Rai

7. IT TAKES A VILLAGE
UW-
Green Bay
Academic
Affairs Foundation
Cheer/
Spirit
Groups
Student-
Athletes
Regents
Chancellor &
Exec TeamGeneral
Counsel
Financial
Aid
Health &
Wellness
Band
AdmissionsResidence
Life
Student
Gov’t
Faculty &
Academics
Dining
Services
HR/OED
Media
Finance &
Operations
Horizon
League
Summer
Camps
Campus
Operations
Fans
Medical
Community
Student
Conduct
Hotels &
Restaurants
Parents
Donors
Faculty
Senate
Students
AlumniAthletics
Staff
Local
schools
Student
Affairs
City of
Green
Bay
Corporate
Partners/
Sponsors
Law
Enforcement
NCAA

8. My two cents…
Find a mentor
Do a great job in the job you have
Get involved in the field
Advocate for yourself
Create, use and update your board of
directors
Thank people and give them credit

9. “I’ve learned that no matter what happens or how bad it
seems today, life goes on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way
he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage,
and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that
regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss
them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that
making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.”
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a
catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw
something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide
something with an open heart, I usually make the right
decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t
have to be one. I’ve learned that people will forget what
you said, people will forget what you did, but people will
never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou

10. Thank You!