What happens when Women decide to Step up and Lead in Sports

By Coach Gabriela Mueller Mendoza - Founder of Women Lead Sports and advocate of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Meet Erica Ricci . Head of General Affairs at the International Federation of Sports Climbing. Originally from Rome, she is a remarkable Graduate of the Women Lead Sports Master Program. A hybrid Leadership program for women in sports which I 've got the pleasure to lead - www.womenleadsports.com - it's close to my heart. Today is the only program that really helps women decode what is needed to navigate, succeed and lead as leaders in Sports, run and win campaigns, elections and nominations in sports.

I've seen how Erica has taken action and decided to step up as a leader in sports. I've seen how she's grown as a leader who empowers others, holds both a pragmatic approach and a strategic view on what the federation and the teams can do to capitalize on opportunities.

We recently met for lunch and because I really like to connect with graduates whenever possible anywhere around the world. I kindly asked her to write something about her experience in our program. Here her words:

"I joined the IFSC in 2018, with a very diverse background, and definitely as an outsider of the sports world. I started as administrative assistant, knowing I could offer more, but it was a moment where I was giving myself a fresh start and, as a climber myself, I believed in the project of climbing and I had an intuition of the potential I had in front of me to contribute to bringing the sport I loved, my sport, to the next level.

So, as I started working, I started filling some gaps that inevitably existed due to the fast pace at which the organisation and the sport were growing. I had previous experience with governance and membership in another Swiss organisation, and that gave me tools to navigate the dynamics of the federation and identify some challenges that I knew I could take upon myself and bring added value to. So, from the administration I focused more and more on the institutional area, the governance, and the international relations, which led to the creation of the Department of General Affairs and the creation of positions that did not exist before in the structure of the federation. It took a lot of vision and belief, and I am proud to have accomplished all this.

For sure, having been able to take part in the Women Lead Sports programme helped me greatly along the way, specifically in becoming more aware of in my strength and confident (being an outsider I had a bit of that imposter syndrome), and understanding where to direct my focus, identifying challenges that I believed I could bring to accomplishment, and just do it."

Erica, we are rooting for you and for the growth of your sport, Climbing. It is a relatively younger federation in comparison to other sports in the Olympic program, and we can't wait to see what you and your teams at the federation accomplish in your sports as we all go toward the #Olympics in #Paris2024

We continue to help women succeed, and in the Women Lead Sports Program we recently celebrated having over 40 new Graduates in Parasports and Paralympic disciplines and leaders in organizations. Meet our new Graduates March 2023 from five continents. To you all, we continue supporting you on your leadership path, today and always. More under www.womenleadsports.com

The proudest Coach Gabriela Mueller Mendoza www.gabrielamueller.com

March 2023 - Women Lead Sports Master Program & APSO?Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations?- Group One

March 2023 - Women Lead Sports Master Program & APSO ?Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations? - Group Two

?#leadershipdevelopment #womeninsports #ericaricci #climbing