Carving out successful paths
Honorees leave mark on local sports scene
As the names of the nine U.S. cities that would host World Cup soccer matches in 1994 were announced, Joanie Schirm kept one of the biggest secrets in the city’s sports history.
One by one, the chosen cities were revealed, and Orlando still waited. Some of the area’s biggest political figures at the time — among them Orlando mayor Bill Frederick, incoming mayor Glenda Hood and Orange County mayor Linda Chapin — became more nervous as each slot was filled.
Schirm was not. She was told the previous night that Orlando was in.
“We were the next-tothe-last city that was announced of all the venues,’’ Schirm said. “Right before our name was announced, they started looking at each other, like, ‘Oh, no, we’re not going to be selected.’
“I turned to Bill Frederick, and I said, ‘Just keep the faith.’ ”
As what is believed to be the first woman to lead a city’s World Cup bid committee, Schirm was privy to such inside information. Along with executives Maribeth Bisienere of Disney World and Linda Landman Gonzalez of the Orlando Magic, she will be honored Thursday at the inaugural Celebrating Women in Sports luncheon at The Ballroom at Church Street (225 S. Garland Ave., Orlando).
Currently senior vice president of Disney Springs, Bisienere was involved heavily with developing the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and runDisney.
“Being one of five daughters, I was always told and taught that I could do anything that anyone else could,’’ Bisienere said. “I didn’t know any better, and that’s the only way I’ve ever been.’’
Gonzalez — the Magic’s vice president of social responsibility and president of the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation — has excelled in a sports world that hasn’t always offered a hand to women.
Gonzalez said the Magic have.
“Sports is, by nature, a competitive industry,’’ she said. “When there is competitiveness involved in any culture, it can become a little bit stronger than when it’s not in place. Sales departments are always a little more competitive, for example, than the HR [human resources] department.’’
Schirm, Gonzalez and Bisienere came to the sports world from different backgrounds.
The daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Schirm was a cheerleader at Melbourne High School and roots for Florida State, where she went to school. Gonzalez competed in crew and swimming in high school in New York and in college in Mexico City.
In her youth, Bisienere — a staunch Boston sports fan — was a downhill skier and has the bad knees to prove it.
Bisienere said sports taught her about passion and perseverance.
“It does not matter what your religion is or your political views or your socioeconomic class,’’ Bisienere said. “Everybody’s equal. I love that.’’
Besides the World Cup, Schirm has played other pivotal sports roles. As a volunteer, she was the founding president of what is now the Central Florida Sports Commission and was involved with the area’s bid with Tampa to bring the 2012 Olympics to Florida. Those Games went to London.
At times, Schirm has been the only woman in the room. She left as she entered. Undeterred. “I’ve spent my whole life in worlds where there weren’t a whole lot of women in leadership,’’ said Schirm, who founded an engineering consulting firm and is currently an author.
“There were people that I was warned may not like the idea [of having a woman in a IF YOU GO key role]. I found that if you just do what your job is, you can be accepted just like anybody else.’’
Gonzalez said nothing beats being prepared.
“Be curious,’’ she said. “Make sure you know everything you can know — from research, asking questions, having conversations. Work extremely hard and love what you do.’’
While the luncheon is celebrating women in sports, Schirm realizes more strides are necessary.
That quest won’t end after dessert.
“You have to be patient, but there are so many movements that say, ‘Time’s up,’ and I agree that there should be a real transformation,’’ Schirm said.
“If women are qualified, go for it.’’