Empowering Women, Changing the Game
The Boca Raton Bowl’s seventh annual Women Changing the Game presented by Delta Air Lines event in West Palm Beach was more than just an evening of networking; it was a powerful testament to resilience, leadership, and authenticity in the sports and business world.
In a room filled with over 250 dynamic women, this exclusive November 19 gathering brought together influential women in sports, media, and leadership for an inspiring night of connection, mentorship, and candid conversations. The highlight? A thought-provoking panel featuring:
- Bonnie Bernstein – Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster and Founder/CEO of Walk Swiftly Productions
- Pri Shumate – Senior Vice President & CMO of the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Open, and Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix
- Maria Marino – Mayor of Palm Beach County and former professional golfer
The panel was moderated by ESPN Boca Raton Bowl’s Events/Media Coordinator Paige Kornblue.
Shumate highlighted the role of empathy in leadership, a quality often attributed to women but one that should be universally embraced.
“Empathy is understanding, right? And understanding helps in business decision-making. If we can tie together empathy with decision-making, then we’re getting into the space that men are often credited for… big business decisions, revenue generation. The key is showing how the qualities we bring uniquely as women translate into the things that matter most in leadership” said Shumate.
For Bonnie Bernstein, success isn’t about fitting a mold; it’s about owning who you are.
“Being a good leader isn’t a cookie-cutter proposition. You have to be your authentic self and have people at the highest levels who give you the freedom to lead in a way that feels true to you,” Bernstein said.
Sports, as Maria Marino pointed out, teaches invaluable lessons about resilience and taking risks.
“Most athletes lose more than they win. You miss more shots than you make. But that’s what allows you to improve,” Marino noted. “In business, in leadership, in life… you have to be willing to put yourself out there and take a shot.”
This mentality of “fail, learn, and try again” was a common theme throughout the evening, with panelists emphasizing that success isn’t about avoiding failure but about embracing it as part of growth.
One of the most powerful moments of the night came when the conversation turned to work-life balance, or rather, the illusion of it.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I need help all the time. I’m not Superwoman. I have to make choices every day based on what’s important to me, and I have to be okay with those choices,” said Shumate.
Instead of striving for perfection, the panelists encouraged embracing support systems, making intentional choices and giving ourselves grace.
In a room filled with over 250 dynamic women, this exclusive November 19 gathering brought together influential women in sports, media, and leadership for an inspiring night of connection, mentorship, and candid conversations. The highlight? A thought-provoking panel featuring:
- Bonnie Bernstein – Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster and Founder/CEO of Walk Swiftly Productions
- Pri Shumate – Senior Vice President & CMO of the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Open, and Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix
- Maria Marino – Mayor of Palm Beach County and former professional golfer
The panel was moderated by ESPN Boca Raton Bowl’s Events/Media Coordinator Paige Kornblue.
Shumate highlighted the role of empathy in leadership, a quality often attributed to women but one that should be universally embraced.
“Empathy is understanding, right? And understanding helps in business decision-making. If we can tie together empathy with decision-making, then we’re getting into the space that men are often credited for… big business decisions, revenue generation. The key is showing how the qualities we bring uniquely as women translate into the things that matter most in leadership” said Shumate.
For Bonnie Bernstein, success isn’t about fitting a mold; it’s about owning who you are.
“Being a good leader isn’t a cookie-cutter proposition. You have to be your authentic self and have people at the highest levels who give you the freedom to lead in a way that feels true to you,” Bernstein said.
Sports, as Maria Marino pointed out, teaches invaluable lessons about resilience and taking risks.
“Most athletes lose more than they win. You miss more shots than you make. But that’s what allows you to improve,” Marino noted. “In business, in leadership, in life… you have to be willing to put yourself out there and take a shot.”
This mentality of “fail, learn, and try again” was a common theme throughout the evening, with panelists emphasizing that success isn’t about avoiding failure but about embracing it as part of growth.
One of the most powerful moments of the night came when the conversation turned to work-life balance, or rather, the illusion of it.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I need help all the time. I’m not Superwoman. I have to make choices every day based on what’s important to me, and I have to be okay with those choices,” said Shumate.
Instead of striving for perfection, the panelists encouraged embracing support systems, making intentional choices and giving ourselves grace.
Boca Raton Bowl’s Women Changing the Game was made possible thanks to the generous support of Delta Air Lines, Hilton West Palm Beach, ESPN, The Gardens Mall, Duffy’s Sports Grill, Palm Beach County, Deep Eddy Vodka, Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Open, Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, ESPN West Palm and Walk Swiftly Productions. The Boca Raton Bowl’s seventh annual Women Changing the Game presented by Delta Air Lines event in West Palm Beach was more than just an evening of networking; it was a powerful testament to resilience, leadership, and authenticity in the sports and business world.
