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IN IN THIS THIS ISSUE ISSUE 04 Women of the HEAT 20 Miami HEAT Dancers 23 Bawse Lady Spotlight
Editor-in-Chief Devin Rawiszer | Design & Layout Joanna Diaz | Asst. Editor Nick Maiorana | Photos Dylan Rives/David Alvarez/Fayth Ribeiro | Printer Southeastern
Women of the HEAT
Carla Pato
Assistant General Manager of AmericanAirlines Arena
What’s the story on how you became a part of the HEAT Family? I drove cross-country from Arizona to join the HEAT Family as the Event Services Intern in 2002. I was quickly captivated after learning first-hand all the details and effort it takes behind the scenes to put on a HEAT game and concert. Although the hours were long, I recognized I had a great team and I was determined to stay. Before the NBA season ended, I was hired full-time as the Event Coordinator later becoming an Event Manager, Sr. Event Manager, Director of Event Services and currently Assistant General Manager.
In 2020, there are many more women with roles in the sports world. How is the HEAT a leader in this area? Some companies speak about diversity and inclusion, but fail to take the next step to evolve and make it a reality. The HEAT on the other hand actually walks the talk and they understand the value and importance of diversity and female leadership.We are a more robust “family culture” by tapping into each other’s potential and expanding the seat at the table. I am proud to be a part of an organization that empowers women to lead and this inspires me to coach and mentor others. 4
Name something interesting people might not know about you.
I use to slalom, barefoot & trick water ski back in my high school days in Cleveland!
Associate Security Manager
What’s the story on how you became a part of the HEAT Family?
Name something interesting people might not know about you.
My journey with the Miami HEAT begins in 1999 parttime during the construction period of AmericanAirlines Arena. I was offered a full-time position in 2000. After a year, I was promoted to the overnight shift lieutenant, and throughout the years I’ve flourished within my department and the organization. I currently hold the position of Associate Security Manager, which involves managing a great team of security guards in addition to administrative work for the Security Department. I am also in charge of the daunting task of revamping the photo ID’s for the entire building, sub-contractors, sponsors and vendors, and all before our Home Opening Night.
I am a plus size model, actress, and am a part of a Christian based dance ensemble called 13:46 (Pearl Empire).
In 2020, there are many more women with roles in the sports world. How is the HEAT a leader in this area?
BAWSE LADY
Petronia Thomas
Working for the Miami HEAT, you are given the opportunity and encouragement to be creative and bold within your leadership role. The Miami HEAT are constantly providing us with the necessary tools to improve our skills and development to further our career. 5
Lissette Toirac Perdomo Director of Data Platform Services
What’s the story on how you became a part of the HEAT Family? I was working as Data Architect using Big Data and Cloud Services. To my surprise, I got a message via LinkedIn from Edson Crevecoeur asking me if I was interested to have an interview for Manager of Data Services at the Miami HEAT. I was very curious to know what kind of technology and/or big data projects they were working with. After meeting the group in the interview, I could see the professionalism, projection and family environment at the HEAT. I loved the position and organization. I first started in a manager role, after two years I got promoted to my current role as Director of Data Platform Services. I have the privilege to have an amazing team I love to work with every day.
In 2020, there are many more women with roles in the sports world. How is the HEAT a leader in this area?
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The HEAT is leader in the industry for diversity and inclusion. Our executives recognize women for their contributor in the sports industry. The organization is always encouraging us to take leadership roles. Our voice is always listened! We have a lot of females in leadership roles across the board. The HEAT culture is based on create and give opportunities to develop leadership skills and professional growth of all employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, race or orientation. I am so proud to be and to have an important role as a director in one of the biggest sports organizations of the industry. It makes me so happy to be a part of this great family.
Name something interesting people might not know about you. I moved to United States six years ago with my family. Before that, I was a Computer Science Teacher at the University for 10 years. After I got my Master Degree in Video Game Programming I started to teach it to my students, becoming it in my students’ favorite computer science class.
Veronica Peron
Videographer/ Editor, Media Productions
What’s the story on how you became a part of the HEAT Family?
In 2020, there are many more women with roles in the sports world. How is the HEAT a leader in this area?
As a child, I was naturally drawn to video cameras, computers, and sports. As I grew older, those three interest found themselves merging. While I was obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree at MiamiDade College, I ventured into the video production world where I gained experience in local commercials, live sporting events, and free-lance video production. During my senior year at Miami-Dade College, I applied for an internship at the Miami HEAT and was extended the opportunity. I viewed my internship as a long job interview and tackled all opportunities that I was presented with. By the end of the season, I was offered a part-time job as a Production Assistant and five years later I am thriving in HEATV as a Videographer/Editor. I attribute my drive and goal oriented mindset in my career to my parents who always pushed me to follow my dreams and never settle for less.
The Miami HEAT organization and its leaders have always positioned me to succeed. From the beginning, my ideas were always welcomed and my work was always respected. Yes, I may be a woman; but, my colleagues respect my knowledge for the sport and my skill in video production. Above all, I am eternally grateful to the Miami HEAT for making this hometown girl’s dream of working in sports video production come true.
Name something interesting people might not know about you. I am a hobby enthusiast. Outside of work you can find me playing video games, buying sneakers, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, mowing my lawn, doing DIY home renovations with my husband, or hanging out with my dog.
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Sasha Beck
BAWSE
Senior Designer of the Miami HEAT Creative Team
What’s the story on how you became a part of the HEAT Family?
In 2020, there are many more women with roles in the sports world. How is the HEAT a leader in this area?
While in college I interned for a branding agency called Southern Brand Collective. After completing my degree I worked there part time as a freelancer. I loved it, but was never able to secure a full time role so I began looking for other opportunities. I fell into a few really great gigs following my time with SBC. One of them being a part time designer for this very publication (I am the original Tipoff designer!). I worked my butt off at three different jobs that year — part time doing creative for Sushi Maki in the Gables, part time designing Tipoff here at the Arena, and waitressing a couple nights a week at a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. I’m happy to say that all my hard work paid off. The Miami HEAT decided to bring all creative in-house in 2013 and I was selected to be a part of the inceptive team that creates all the amazing work our fans have seen over the years.
I’ve never noticed that what we do is groundbreaking — because I’ve never really had to. In the eight seasons I’ve worked in this building I’ve been surrounding by so many women in leadership roles (I’ve personally worked under two incredible female leaders in this organization). It’s inspiring to see how they have grown within the company and made space for other women both working for the HEAT and in sports overall.
Name something interesting people might not know about you. I was born and raised in a super small town in Northern Michigan called Cheboygan. I moved to Florida on my own when I was 18 years old (my whole family is still in the Mitten). And I’m a crazy plant lady — if I was ever not doing design I would love to have a little plant shop and hang out with my dog all day.
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Akemi Martina Maehama Romain Basketball Operations / Charitable Fund Assistant
What’s the story on how you became a part of the HEAT Family?
In 2020, there are many more women with roles in the sports world. How is the HEAT a leader in this area?
I actually started as a volunteer for the Family Festival, HEAT Gala, and game day garage sales back in 2014 for the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund (MHCF). I was hired full-time in 2017.
The HEAT organization gives women a platform to set examples and pave paths for the future of our next generation in the sports industry. Everyone in the organization encourages each other to be a gogetter. I believe that the HEAT loves to have creative and inspirational women and has made this into their culture. I am proud to be a part of a family that honors and respects women in the sports world. If it wasn’t for the support of everybody in my life and the HEAT organization, I would not be where I am today.
Name something interesting people might not know about you. I speak three languages: Japanese, Spanish and English. My parents are Argentinian and I was born and raised in Japan until I was 15 years old before I moved to the US with little to no knowledge of English.
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Joanna Clutter
Sr. Director of Corporate Partnership Marketing
What’s the story on how you became a part of the HEAT Family? I was an Intern in the Corporate Sales department during the Summer of 2003 and experienced drafting Dwyane Wade. With the excitement around the team and atmosphere in the office, I knew it was a special place to work. I returned the following summer with a full-time role as a Coordinator in Corporate Partnership Marketing. 3 Championship Rings later I am still enjoying every season with the HEAT.
In 2020, there are many more women with roles in the sports world. How is the HEAT a leader in this area? The HEAT is a leader and champion for Diversity. It is built into the HEAT culture. The organization provides continuous opportunities for women as seen by the numerous women in Senior Leadership roles that inspire and mentor not only myself, but their teams every day.
Name something interesting people might not know about you.
I wrote a children’s book for my nephew and hope to have it published one day. 13
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Betsy Berthin
Director of Sports Nutrition
You have a really cool job. How did you get into the sports nutrition world here at the HEAT? I initially started with the HEAT years ago in the Marketing Department. I then went back to school to get my master’s in Food and Nutrition and certified in Sports Nutrition. The HEAT had always been great to me, like family, and I maintained great relationships with the staff. When learned I was a dietitian, I was asked to speak with a potential player on learning how to manage a sports nutrition diet. The position evolved from there. I was lucky to have a coaching and training staff that believed in how you fuel is how you play and let me create the role.
What is it like working for the HEAT now? This is a dream job for me. I’m very fortunate because of our coaching staff, especially Coach Spo. He really believes in how you fuel is how you play. He values food and how you eat and what you give yourself. He believes in that 1%.
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The HEAT welcomed me almost ten years ago in the role I am in now, before women had the roles they do now. That speaks volumes in their leadership.”
How important is nutrition for overall athletic importance? It’s everything. You can’t play if you’re not fueled properly. You can’t skip meals, skip carbohydrates or give into fad diets and expect to play. You might play well, but you’re not playing as well as you could. You’re not giving yourself the right ratio of macronutrients.
Something interesting people don’t know about you I was a competitive gymnast for most of my childhood. 15
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BAWSE LADY SPOTLIGHT Meet, Patricia Alfonso Tortolani Editor-in-chief of Ocean Drive Magazine
What led you to your current role with Ocean Drive? After a decade of working at fashion glossies in New York City I decided that I wanted to be closer to home. I grew up here and remember reading Ocean Drive as a teenager, so the opportunity to steer the brand’s editorial vision has been a dream come true.
How has your career in the publication world helped you grow as a woman?
What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to break into the industry?
In the magazine industry I have always been surrounded by amazing role models, many of them female. The creative directors, designers, editors, writers, makeup artists, stylists, models—this is a field of powerful women with strong points of view. They’ve taught me about life-work balance and personal ambition. They’ve supported and encouraged me in tough times. And, above all, they’ve shown me that sometimes the key to success is genuine kindness.
Right now journalism and storytelling is more important than ever, especially at the local level. We need sources we can trust—both in style and substance—so if you are passionate about that, I absolutely believe you should follow your passion. I also like to remind people that you don’t need to go to fashion or journalism school to be an editor. The best school in life is experience. Also important to remember: good writing begets good writing. When I have writer’s block, I go back to one of my favorite profiles of all time (“The Final Comeback of Axl Rose” by John Jeremiah Sullivan).
Favorite celebrity encounter story of all-time. When I was 8 months pregnant with my first son Gustavo, I interviewed Beyonce for the launch of her fragrance. We were both in red dresses and quickly connected over our love of the Brooklyn pizzeria Lucali (this was before they opened on Miami Beach). I told her that the baby I was carrying liked her music and she started singing to my belly. It was ah-mazing.
What does Miami mean to you? I am a proud Miami Girl. Even all those years when I lived in New York City, Miami was such a big part of my identity. Everyone knew where I was from. Returning to Miami as an adult and exploring all the cool neighborhoods with a newfound sense of adventure—and my sons and husband who is from Boston—has been very special. 21
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Andrea Bergart
Owner, Designer of the OG Basketball Bag @andrea_bergart_shop
What inspired you to start creating basketball bags? I grew up playing sports and making art. I identified as both an artist and an athlete but those parts of my life also felt very separate to me. I had a group of teammate friends and a different group of art friends. These interests didn’t start to merge until I moved to New York City. That’s when I found Downtown Girls Basketball and met other like-minded creative athletes. I carried a basketball on my way to practice. I liked the feeling I had when I carried a basketball around the city. I would take it on the train and dripple it down the street. It felt like a PSA to the world that women play and enjoy basketball, which in turn helped me feel empowered and strong. I wanted to harness this feeling and bring it into my everyday life. I made these bags because it seemed like a fun way to combine my feelings about women, empowerment, and basketball in a fashion accessory that isn’t limited to the court. The idea of a handbag made from a ball also seemed fun and useful, and I knew I just really wanted to have one!
BAWSE BAWSELADY LADYSPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT How has it been for you seeing both women and men wear your creations? It’s so cool! My favorite part of this process is connecting the people who are attracted to these ball bags and creating a community around them. I like seeing how people incorporate them into their own particular style and seeing the bags travel around the world!
Favorite basketball player (male or female) of all-time? Sheryl Swoopes and Allen Iverson. What’s one goal you’ve set for yourself in 2020? Staying present!
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