For Women’s History Month 2023, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment is highlighting women across their organizations.
Get to know Kathleen Besser, who has been the Senior Vice President of Internal Audit for 15 years.
A little about Kathleen:
- I grew up in Southern California and have been in Colorado for over 40 years
- Came to Colorado right after graduation from California State University at Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in accounting
- Earned my CPA
- Graduated from Regis University with a master’s degree in international business
- This process took 5 years because I worked full time as the International Controller for United Artists Theater Company
- I started when my son was 3 months old and had my daughter about 1 ½ years into the program (what was I thinking?????)
- Married for 33 years with two children
- Hobbies include travel, sustainable gardening, reading, & quilting
What made you want to pursue a career in sports?
- I came here to start an audit department, not necessarily because of sports. In fact, I am the least knowledgeable sports person I know.
What does a typical day at your current job look like or entail?
- We primarily safeguard company assets, employees being at the top of that list
- I talk with people all over this company about their jobs:
- What, why and how they do things
- I get a chance to help employees make their work life run smoother
- My team creates reporting to show management and ownership what is going on in the businesses of KSE, so there is a lot of creative thinking every day
- I have experience working with many parts of the organization, so I answer a lot of random questions and research / solve interesting challenges
What are some of your favorite things or experiences when it comes to working in sports?
- It is a very interesting industry with many complex elements; especially here at KSE. There is always something going on with the teams and venues.
- Going through a Stanley Cup championship season was such a great experience.
How important is it to see women continue to push past barriers especially in a male-dominated industry?
- It’s important for all people to be able to contribute at every level in an industry. When I entered the world of business, I was one of the few women managers in the workplace. My head is still bruised from shattering that glass ceiling. We need to embrace and incorporate the views and ideas that come from our differences; it will make us better!
What’s the most rewarding part about being a woman in sports?
- Expanding my knowledge base and sharing my experiences with other young women. We just hosted an event for Economic Literacy, Colorado where about 30 high school girls interacted with KSE management to better understand the economic impact of a concert or sporting event.
What advice would you want to share with women looking to break into the industry?
- If this is your dream, give it your all. Don’t let anyone’s NO stop you from obtaining your goals. If you don’t get your first choice of a job, try for something else. Learn and make yourself valuable to the company. If you do that, you’ll find your spot.
- If you can dream it and have the will, you can make it happen.
Who is a woman – could be in any industry – that you look up to and admire and why?
- My daughter, Lauren. She has blazed her own path in an area that she is passionate about: Corporate Sustainability. The student has become the teacher and she is giving her all to make this world a better place.
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