Ep. 76. Empowering the Next Generation of Athletic Directors with Guest Monique AJ Smith

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of developing young leaders in athletics? Join me as I sit down with Monique AJ Smith, a leadership strategist who has built her career on identifying and coaching the next generation of leaders in sports. From her beginnings as a natural-born leader, Monique shares her journey of becoming an athletic director at just 28 years old and how her unique approach to leadership development has helped countless individuals advance their careers in athletics.

In our conversation, we dive deep into Monique's strategies for coaching young leaders, focusing on soft skills and personal leadership styles. Through her podcast, Chat in the Garden, and her executive coaching program, Monique offers valuable resources and insights for those looking to excel in the world of sports. We also discuss the importance of networking and how she assists her clients in finding job opportunities that align with their visions.

The Leadership Strategist and AthleticPreneur ™ Monique A.J. Smith, is a Leadership Strategist that guides Athletics Departments/Sport Organizations and Individuals who wish to advance in Athletics Administration/Sports Management careers through her company, Seeds of Empowerment LLC. Smith, a Sports Management veteran of 30 plus years, is Adjunct Faculty at Hampton University teaching Sports Management Courses. Spring 2023, Monique published her 5th issue of Significance in Athletics and Sports, that features Black Women sharing their ‘Specialized Knowledge’ in the Industry. All issues can be found at  www.seedsofempowermentstore.com or Amazon.

She is most known for her 9 seasons as the host of the internationally recognized weekly podcast "A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith”, that spotlights Women of Color in Athletics/Sports to her 2.8K Followers.

Smith's time in Collegiate Athletics includes a 13 year tenure as athletic conference executive for the historic Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). She also served in various athletic administrative roles on the campuses of Saint Paul’s College and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore within a ten year period. Smith was a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

With the understanding that knowledge is the key to success, Smith customizes her presentations to provide clients with leadership tools to prepare them to make informed decisions. Monique has dedicated her life to marketing the success of others, developing opportunities for the underrepresented and influencing decision makers to embrace diversity and inclusion. These actions have led to extraordinary opportunities to facilitator change and see strives in the development of others.

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Leadership School Production:
Produced by Kyla Cofer
Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
Assistant Production Alaina Hulette