What does it take to rise in the competitive world of sports business and stay true to yourself along the way?

We sit down with Hairat Babalola, Senior Director of Business Operations and Strategy for D.C. United to unpack her remarkable journey through consulting, analytics, and leadership in the sports industry.

Babalola shares how she carved her own path, the mentors who made a difference, and why loving the numbers matters just as much as building relationships. She opens up about the reality of balancing motherhood with an ambitious career and how the industry is slowly evolving to better support women at every stage.

We also explore the exciting growth of women’s sports, the power of in-person networking, and the mindset it takes to navigate nonlinear career moves. This is a conversation about resilience, strategy, and purpose. Babalola explains why attitude and effort still matter more than ever.

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Let’s inspire others and continue to grow together!