Navigating DEI Backlash: The Sports Industry Playbook

Esu Ma’at begins his fourth season with the Orlando Magic, being named chief diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I) officer in November 2020.
Ma’at’s role with the team will be multi-dimensional, with a focus on integrating DE&I strategy with the Magic’s business goals, along with the team’s values and key performance indicators; attracting, engaging and retaining diverse talent; owning accountability for driving equity and belonging; and enhancing organizational culture, brand reputation and social impact.
Ma’at is a trans-disciplinary thought leader who has a distinguished track record of success, driving a 21st century vision for diversity, equity and inclusion. He works closely with the Magic’s executive leadership team and entire staff to drive a holistic and impactful DE&I strategy that contributes to the goal of ensuring that the Magic workforce reflects the demographics of Central Florida, that the team is successful growing a diverse fan base and that all internal and external stakeholders enjoy a legendary belonging experience. To date, diversity initiatives have earned the team the 2022 SPORTY Award for Sponsorship Activation of the Year (Magic Diversity Game Changers Powered by Florida Blue), the 2023 Orlando Business Journal Diversity in Business Award, and the 2023 African-American Chamber of Commerce Corporate Recognition Award.
Prior to joining the Magic, Ma’at created and led the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Eastern, Diversity and Inclusion department. He serves as an advisory board member for the All-In Diversity Project, a London-based, non-profit organization focused on DEI indexing and worldwide standards. He served as the Class Chair for Leadership Orlando Class 101, he is a member of the Coalition for the Homeless and Central Florida Community Arts Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Citrus Club Board of Governors.
Ma’at attended North Carolina Central University for two years before earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a master of science degree in sports management from Columbia University. He also completed his D&I training at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Courtney Moore is a seasoned diversity and talent development professional with a career that spans over twenty years. She has worked in leadership roles across finance, engineering, law and sport industries where she has a proven track record as a successful agent of change for diversity and inclusion. Ms. Moore is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Los Angeles Dodgers creating and implementing the strategy to enhance the organization’s culture of inclusion. Prior to joining the Dodgers, Ms. Moore worked for the Munger, Tolles & Olson law firm and has served in various diversity roles with Morgan Stanley, The Aerospace Corporations and law firms where she was responsible for a variety of diversity initiatives encompassing recruitment, retention and other programs to foster inclusion.

Ms. Moore is a licensed attorney having practiced in Corporate Restructuring. She also has several years of experience in talent acquisition having worked for Special Counsel and The Hollins Group in direct hire corporate placements. Ms. Moore has also worked in the sports industry as the Broadcast and Special Events Coordinator for the Chicago White Sox. Ms. Moore earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami, a Masters in Sports Management from the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Mount Holyoke College.

She resides in Pasadena, California with her husband and two sons.

Karen Wilkins-Mickey (she/her) joined the Seahawks in January 2021 and brings over 20 years of DEI leadership experience to the team. In her role, Karen leads the Seahawks’ overall DEI strategy, and acts as a liaison for the team, its senior management group, players and the community to drive strategic DEI initiatives and programs. She also oversees the team’s internal DEI Council, represents the team for NFL social justice initiatives, and acts as an internal consultant to department leaders across the team’s football and business operations to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are part of the decision-making process throughout the organization.

Prior to the Seahawks, Karen was Director of Diversity & Inclusion for Alaska Airlines, and has previously held diversity and inclusion leadership roles within Expedia Group and Microsoft. She is an alumni of the first McKinsey Black Executive Leadership Program and is a founding member of the DEI Community of Practice, which is a growing network of professionals committed to establishing and enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion practices within Seattle-area organizations. She recently joined the Board of Special Olympics of Washington and the NW African American Museum. She was honored in 2018 by the Seattle Mariners as part of African American Heritage Day, where she was recognized for her contributions to the Northwest community. She is also a Certified Diversity Recruiter as well as recently earning her certification in DEI through E-Cornell.

A native of New York City, Karen has a bachelor’s degree in communications from California State University-Chico. She lives in Bothell, Wash. with her husband Korey. The couple has two children, Kyra, a sophomore at Arizona State University, studying Sports Business, and Kaden, a high school senior.

Jennifer is a multifaceted, bilingual executive who has demonstrated the ability of effective organizational development resulting in new and increased levels of success in a variety of highly competitive industries, cutting-edge markets, and fast-paced environments. Jennifer has successfully analyzed an organization’s critical needs, identified deficiencies and opportunities, developed innovative and cost-effective solutions. With dynamic business, strategy development, research and analytical skills, she has proven to be a performance-driven executive with deep expertise in spearheading key initiatives with experience in public and private sectors. She has over 15 years of an impressive track record of hands-on experience in strategic planning, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, change management, Human Capital Management, organizational agility, partnership development, communications strategy, and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG). She has been a speaker/trainer at over 20 conferences on various subject matters and has published articles on DEI.

In addition to having traveled to over 35 countries, her educational background includes dual master’s degrees in international studies and Latin American and Caribbean studies have provided her with a global perspective and complimented her success in her various roles. Jennifer completed an MBA focused on organizational development and change management and the Diversity and Inclusion Program at Cornell.

Her external involvement on nonprofit boards has provided valuable input and strategic direction to increase the visibility and funding sources of those organizations. She has established strong partnerships and alliances with corporate and community leaders and has been appointed to various commissions by Mayor for Miami, D.C., and LA.

Katie Oertli Mooney is a Managing Director at Seramount. She is an accomplished DEI leader and thought partner with expertise in driving strategy and growth of diversity and inclusion change management, planning and programs. Prior to joining Seramount, she was responsible for overseeing the client delivery, staffing, operations and growth as Vice President of Jennifer Brown Consulting. She was accountable for the firm’s successful consulting project delivery to clients from the Fortune 1000, government agencies, startups, to nonprofits.

Prior to that, she managed the DEI enterprise learning and development strategy at Capital One specializing in differential investment programming to support historically underrepresented talent and communities of color. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the GSBA; the largest LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce in North America and is supporting the organization in 2020, by advancing diversity, equity and inclusion for the Board of Directors, for the benefit of GSBA staff, members, partners and the LGBTQ+ and allied community of Washington State. Katie has a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management with a concentration on Diversity and Inclusion Management from Georgetown University. She is based in Seattle, WA.

Michael Nicholson is a Principal, Strategic Research at Seramount. As a DEI and talent researcher, he is equally committed to delightful storytelling and useful knowledge. His responsibilities at Seramount include management of thought leadership, product narratives, and other strategic research initiatives. At Seramount and beyond, he works to create effective messaging for all. Whether in an app or a sonnet, he believes every word counts.

Prior to joining the Seramount team, Michael earned his PhD at UCLA and served as a tenure-track professor at McGill University. As Director of the Montreal International Poetry Prize, he pursued his lifelong love of inclusive storytelling and actionable insights, helping to develop and market the first app-based, character-limited global writing product.

Michael lives in Southern California with his son, Wyatt, where he enjoys hiking along the coast and advancing environmental justice. As a neurodiversity advocate, he’s always looking to connect with fellow wordsmiths with a shared passion for impactful data and accessible communities.