VANESSA SALES
“Sport transcends boundaries, touching everyone involved, from athletes and coaches to corporate professionals and contractors”
Meet Vanessa Sales, the Central Planning Manager for the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and a Career Mentor. Her mission now is to support professionals in the international sports events market, helping them make conscious decisions aligned with their goals and values.
VANESSA’S MISSION
“My mission now is to support professionals in the international sports events market, helping them make conscious decisions aligned with their goals and values. Drawing from my extensive experience in major sporting events, I aim to lead them through a journey of personal and professional growth, ensuring they find balance and fulfilment in their careers.”
A PIVOTAL SPORTING MOMENT
“The Closing Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games was a profound and emotional moment for me. After dedicating eight years to this monumental project, I stood there, realising the incredible impact we had on countless lives. It was my first Olympic and Paralympic Games, made even more special by being in my home country. This moment crystallised for me the transformative power of sport in shaping characters and fostering change.
That night, amidst the celebrations, I felt the deep-seated values of sport become a part of my very being. It was an ‘aha’ moment, filled with emotion and pride, recognising the true power of sports.”
DIVERSE REPRESENTATION IN SPORT ORGANISATIONS
“Sports organisations must commit to being at the forefront of creating an inclusive culture that values many perspectives. This starts with clear, measurable goals for diversity and inclusion at every level of the organisation. This means building proactive pipelines of diverse leaders by seeking out and developing talent from underrepresented groups so they are ready to step into decision-making roles.
Mentorship and sponsorship programmes play an essential role because they motivate emerging leaders by providing them with all the tools and opportunities to take up those roles successfully. Thus, they enable organisations to retain diverse talent, particularly women, who often face unique challenges in balancing work and personal commitments. This is achieved through the development of policies and practices that enable work-life balance and flexibility.”
SAVOUR EACH MOMENT
“Be gentle and authentic to yourself and your beliefs. It’s easy to try to conform to your environment, but this can lead to long-term frustrations. Be patient, and don’t rush through phases; each opportunity equips you with what you need for the next level. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and savour each moment along the way.”
