Welcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.
This week’s Q & A is with Laura Gentile,Founder and Vice President of espnW, ESPN’s first dedicated business built to serve women who love sports. She is regularly recognized as a key influencer and leader as a woman in sports and is, without a doubt, an exceptional leader within the digital space.
1. What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?
I began my career in marketing- received an MBA in Marketing, worked for two large advertising agencies and came to ESPN as a Director of consumer marketing. Yet I came to the realization that I wanted to run a business, even start a business. When I pitched the idea for espnW, I embraced the possibility of leading every aspect of the business and becoming an entrepreneur within a larger organization. I’ve realized that I love starting something from scratch, and that I have the resourcefulness and scrappiness to get it done.
2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?
a) George Bodenheimer, former ESPN President (13 years as President, 33 years at the company) as my direct boss for four formative years and an ongoing mentor
b) Christine Driessen, executive vice president & CFO, ESPN, as a huge sponsor and champion of women at ESPN. She’s a role model to so many of us.
c) John Kosner – executive vice president, ESPN Digital & Print Media. John stepped up as a supporter of espnW exactly when we needed it most, enabling us to turn the corner as a business with the right resources and guidance.
3. What is your biggest goal right now?
Taking espnW to next level as a multimedia business and as a leader within sports media. The more W grows, the more power we have to propel women forward in the industry and tell the stories that have gone untold.
4. What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning?
Typically at 6:30am, and as I grab coffee, kiss my husband and check email, make sure my son Will and now newborn son Thomas Beau are set for the day. I then jump in the car and start making phone calls – the first one to my mom.
5. What’s the best networking contact you’ve made? How did you make it?
Through our annual espnW: Women + Sports Summit, we have connected with so many incredible women in the business and have had the opportunity to then work with them. From executives like Sarah Robb O’Hagan and Mary Wittenberg, to world-class athletes, and influential women like Melanne Verveer, Maria Shriver and Gloria Allred. Hosting this annual gathering has enabled us to bring so many accomplished women into our orbit.
6. What challenge / achievement are you most proud of?
Launching espnW. And proving that it has staying power. The female audience is just too big and influential to be relegated to the sidelines anymore. Women, as fans, as athletes, as consumers and as leaders, are central to the future of the sports industry.
7. What was the last business book you read?
Every Town Is a Sports Town: Business Leadership at ESPN, from the Mailroom to the Boardroom by George Bodenheimer. There’s no better leader to learn from than George. Also Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull, President and co-founder of Pixar is fascinating.
8. What song can’t you get out of your head?
Right now it’s a few lullabies thanks to my 10 week old: Twinkle Twinkle and “A…you’re Adorable.”
9. Who on the list of prior Honorees would you like to meet?
Anne-Marie Slaughter
Sallie Krawcheck
Wendy Clark
Check out Laura Gentile’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!
Latest posts by Whitney Johnson (see all)
- Forty Over 40 Asks: Adina Levin, Co-founder of Collab - May 3, 2017
- Forty Over 40 Asks: Alma Alexander, Renaissance Woman - April 26, 2017
- Forty Over 40 Asks: Angelina Fiordellisi, Founding Artistic Director at Cherry Lane Theatre - April 19, 2017