Emily Spiegel — MKTG Sports + Entertainment

A leap of faith that Emily Spiegel took in her mid-20s — leaving her native North Carolina for Connecticut — became the genesis of a career in the sports industry that continues to reap rewards two decades later.

Spiegel first tackled sports-related projects at Cary-based SAS. She described SAS as one of the best places to work with a solid career path. 

“I just knew that I didn’t want to be in a place 20 years down the road and go, ‘What if I did something different?’” she said. “And so I sold my house, moved to Connecticut. I had never been to Connecticut, except for the interview with MKTG. And it was one of the best decisions ever that I could have made.”

Spiegel has helped navigate the entry into NASCAR for FedEx and Ally, among other brands, and she is leading MKTG’s work on behalf of Visa’s new venture in F1. While sports were not initially on Spiegel’s radar, she credits the relationships built between partners, such as FedEx and Joe Gibbs Racing, as catalysts to her early growth and success. “There’s something about that community and the camaraderie that is exciting because you’re all building something successful together,” she said.

Since 2019, Spiegel has led the hospitality and events division at MKTG, and her team manages client hospitality programs across a range of global events such as the Super Bowl, the Masters, NASCAR, F1, the Olympics, Wimbledon, the NHL and the Grammys.

Now back in North Carolina, Spiegel is proud of her leadership role at MKTG’s Charlotte office, which has grown to more than 70 employees. Looking ahead, she is passionate about pushing forward the next generation of talent in the industry.

“I love developing and growing the next class of female leaders,” said Spiegel. “Of course, I also have lots of men that I have been able to coach and develop. And both are equally fulfilling.” — Xavier Hunter