The NHL is celebrating women in hockey, and every week through April, NHL.com will highlight a woman from each of the 32 teams. Today, a look at Philadelphia Flyers hockey analyst Katie Yates:
Name: Kathryn Yates (Katie)
Title: Hockey analyst, Philadelphia Flyers
Education: Education: Bachelor of Science (Physiology/Biotechnology), Brown University; Master of Science (Mechanical Engineering), Boston University; MS/MBA Sports Management, University of Massachusetts
Years of hockey experience: Eight
Describe your job in 2-3 sentences:
Provide data-driven reporting to help inform decision-making throughout the organization. Particular emphasis on supporting strength & conditioning/sports performance, and coaching/player development.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given, or what advice do you like to give others?
One that I keep in mind a lot is from the coach I worked for at UMass, Greg Carvel – something he told all of us a lot is “you get what you deserve.” I had only ever heard that said in a negative way, basically another way of saying “serves you right.” But the other way of thinking of it is, if you work hard, treat people with respect, and do things the right way, it will pay off and the results will come.
What motivates you to keep pushing and be successful?
I have four nieces, three of whom are going to be teenagers soon and are intelligent, athletic, and kind, young women (the fourth is still a baby but I’m sure she will be, too). I am motivated by trying to be a good role model for them and helping create more opportunities for them and their peers. I think about my mom, who is my biggest role model and was part of the first-ever class of women at her university, and now I get to be a small part of this class of women working in the NHL; I want my nieces to grow up knowing that they can be successful in any path they choose, whether in sports or in anything else.
What are your hobbies and why do you enjoy it/them?
My biggest hobby is running – I have run two marathons, a bunch of 5K’s/10K’s/half-marathons, and three Spartan Races. I enjoy it because I like challenging myself physically, and also feel like I get a chance to switch my brain off for a little bit and just be out in nature; a lot of times if I’m stuck on a problem I’ll end up coming up with a good idea while out for a run just because I’ve gotten some mental distance from it.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Morning
What’s your favorite book?
Bonfire of the Vanities
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
Anything Marvel/X-Men
Do you have any hidden talents (if yes, what)?
Not really. I’m pretty good at balancing things on my head
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