Executives from the Anaheim Ducks, Activision & Angel City Football Club honored for their leadership and achievements
The Los Angeles Chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE Los Angeles) today reveals Gina Galasso (Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, ocV!BE), Johanna Faries (SVP/General Manager, Call of Duty®), and Julie Uhrman (Co-Founder and President, Angel City Football Club) have been selected as the recipients of its 2022 WISE Los Angeles Women of Inspiration. WISE Los Angeles’s 11th annual Women of Inspiration took place on Thursday, November 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. PST at Banc of California Stadium. The honorees have been selected by the organization’s nominating committee because of their exceptional leadership in the sports entertainment industry, and for being positive professional and personal role models for all women.
In addition to being recognized for their outstanding achievements, Galasso, Faries, and Uhrman will become members of the WISE Los Angeles Advisory Board Committee for 2023, serving as valuable sources of expertise and experience for the members of WISE's Los Angeles chapter. In that capacity, they will be called upon to provide guidance in the growth and direction of the Los Angeles Chapter such that WISE may continue to support its mission within the community and across the country.
“Every year we are more and more inspired by the growing number of women who have made it their mission to change the business of sports through leadership, activism, and drive, and this year’s Women of Inspiration are no exception,” said E. Ashley Dean, President, WISE Los Angeles. “Women of Inspiration has become the preeminent recognition for the most univocal leaders, game-changers and pioneers the sports industry has to offer – and we can’t wait to honor Gina, Johanna and Julie at our 11th annual event.”
Gina Galasso is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, now in her seventh season with the Anaheim Ducks and responsible for leading the company's global Human Resources function. In her experience, Galasso has led large human resource departments implementing strategic talent management solutions. She served on the Disneyland Resort Expansion Team and successfully delivered the human capital required to support two theme parks, three hotels and the ESPN Zone. Galasso steered the Human Resources and Administration Departments for the Los Angeles Dodgers during both private and public ownership. She held leadership roles at SCE including responsibility for Recruitment, Equal Opportunity and Workforce Diversity and across the Edison International enterprise. In 2009, Galasso launched Mirelle Management Resources, Inc., a successful boutique human resources and financial management consulting firm. Galasso earned her Master's in Business Administration (MBA) in Leadership from Claremont Graduate University and Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting from the University of Southern California. She received a Certificate in Human Resources Management from University of California Los Angeles Extension.
Johanna Faries is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Call of Duty® one of the biggest gaming and entertainment brands in the world. As SVP/General Manager, Faries oversees new releases, live operations and franchise-wide strategy. Since joining Activision Blizzard in 2018, Faries led the company’s esports leagues division, including the formation and management of the global city-based Call of Duty League, which includes professional teams in 12 cities across four countries featuring the best Call of Duty players in the world and dedicated amateur competition systems. Prior to joining Activision Blizzard, Johanna served 12 years at the National Football League at its League Office Headquarters in New York City. She held a number of leadership roles across marketing, league initiative strategy, fan and business development, sponsorship sales, and consumer products. As Vice President of Club Business Development at the National Football League, she interfaced closely with NFL team owners and presidents to bolster their local businesses year-round, and played a key role in launching the NFL’s first-of-its-kind ticketing network. A graduate of Harvard University, she has been named Los Angeles Business Journal “Executive of the Year”, one of the Most Powerful Women in Sports by both Sports Illustrated and Adweek, as well as one of FORTUNE’s 40 Under 40 most influential business leaders. She serves on the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission Advisory Board and is the Executive Champion of Activision Blizzard’s Black Employee Network.
Julie Uhrman is the Co-Founder and President of Angel City Football Club (ACFC), Los Angeles' newest professional women's soccer team that debuted on April 29, 2022, as an NWSL expansion team. Julie founded ACFC with Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman, technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman, and venture capitalist, 776 founder & Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. ACFC is one of the only majority female-founded and run professional sports teams in the world. Prior to ACFC, Uhrman served as the EVP and General Manager of OTT Ventures at Lionsgate, Head of Platform Business Development at Jaunt, a virtual reality content startup, and founder of OUYA, a pioneering Android-based game console. She has been named a member of Adweek's 2021 and 2020 Most Powerful Women In Sports, one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company, and to the Creative 50 list by Advertising Age. Julie is a board member of the LA Sports and Entertainment Council, The Rose Bowl Institute, the LA Sports Council, an active executive in the LA Chapter of WISE and is part of two SPACs focused on sports, gaming and entertainment. She is also part of the DraftKings' All-Star Network as an Advisor to Drive by DraftKings.
In its 16th year, WISE Los Angeles is the leading voice and resource for working women in the business of sports. The organization strives to offer members the opportunity to gain valuable insights and connections that can provide them with competitive advantages in their current positions and as they advance in their careers.
The WISE Los Angeles Women of Inspiration took place at the Banc of California Stadium, 3939 S Figueroa St, on Thursday, November 10 from 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. PST. A limited number of general admission tickets were available. Follow WISE Los Angeles on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for updates on upcoming events and announcements.
ABOUT WISE LOS ANGELES
Women in Sports and Events Los Angeles (WISE LA) is a community of professionals and game changers in the business of sports. WISE LA members are connected in person during special events, meetings, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities all over Los Angeles; and online at losangeles.wiseworks.org and on WISE Los Angeles social media channels. To learn more about a membership with WISE LA, please visit wiseworks.org/about/membership.
Join the conversation on social, using: #WISEWOI
Media Contact
Brianna Appel, info@wise-losangeles.org