Now We Will Shift the Spotlight Over to Our First Digital Creative Officer, Mariette Gervitz!

Let’s meet our first Digital Creative Officer, Mariette Gervitz!

By: Hailie Cadeau and Mac Steckler 

Q: How did you get into sports?

A: I grew up trying an array of sports until one stuck. I've always been very energetic, so my parents put me in tennis, golf, swimming, gymnastics, ballet, soccer. Ultimately I did soccer for some years but had to leave it due to the violin and ended up doing ballet for 14 years of my life. Currently, I surf but as a pastime.

Q: Who is your role model in the sports industry?

A: All women who are in C suit or high management positions within the sports industry. There still is this assumption that women shouldn't be part of this industry. For all those women who are breaking the glass ceiling, thank you for paving the way for the new generation.

Q: What made you want to work in the sports industry? 

A: I believe sports is a vehicle for social changes. It has the power to unite people and create long-lasting changes. The sports industry, in general, is fast-paced, challenging, and exciting, and I want to contribute to all those lasting changes, magical, and challenging moments.

Q: What experiences do you have working in the sports industry? 

A: In 2017 I, along with 3 other colleagues, participated in the LEADing for life challenge (think about it as a shark tank for high school students but representing universities). My team represented Emory University. We developed a sports app that took us to the finals. Through the process, we worked with different local sports teams. We achieved first and second place with our sports app. In 2012 I started a nonprofit to give young kids from low-income families in Puerto Rico the opportunity to receive holiday joy. This includes families receiving warm food, presents, and the gift of music and dance. Through my nonprofit, we have worked with different national sports teams from the Island. While abroad in Barcelona, I had the privilege of being part of a class focused on Marketing the FC Barça team and got to know more in-depth about how the team functions.

Q: How will your previous experiences on the SBA E-Board, help you in your current role?

A: I was an event officer in 2018. My previous SBA experience is beneficial in terms of knowing what we were missing then and see how we can implement it now. 

Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming year with the SBA? 

A: With everything going online, I'm hoping we can engage with more people since technically now anyone can join our meetings from their couches' comfort. I look forward to all the creative and innovative ways to attract people to join our organization virtually. I believe this transition will be exciting since it'll be a new way to show the SBA brand from a new perspective.

Q: What kinds of events do you want the SBA to have this year that it hasn’t done in recent years or ever done at all? 

A: More collaboration among different orgs I think would be a good idea. There are lots of orgs that the SBA could collaborate with. I also think outreach activities with local youth development organizations like the YMCA or boy and girls club, for example. 

Q: What are you doing this summer? 

A: This summer I've been taking online classes and interning with a sustainable swimwear line. 

Q: What is one thing people should definitely know about you?

A: My name and how to pronounce it correctly. 

Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?

A: I played the violin for 16 years of my life, and when I was 7 years old, I got to play at Carnegie Hall. (I'm not a prodigy, though! lol)