Approaching Graduation Former Deputy Director Maria Reflects on Her Journey
The staff at and community involved in Kensington Soccer Club are addressing gender diversity in soccer at all levels. In addition to empowering a diverse coaching staff, our Deputy Director Maria Blaszczyk (She/Her), Executive Program Director Barbyose Noisette (She/Her), and Site Supervisor Mallory O’Riordan (She/Her), there are examples of leadership throughout our programming departments (Director of Teen and Adult Programs: Jakeema Burton (She/Her); Intervention and Violence Prevention Coordinator: Brianna Banks (She/Her); Communications Coordinator: Gabrielle Peterson (She/Her); Pat Hardy (She/Her): Who was not only instrumental in the development of the organization, but has led enrichment and literacy efforts through the SAVE (Soccer Athletes Value Education) Initiative; BOARD Member, SAVE and Volunteer Committee Member, and Coach Carly Najera (She/Her); Site Supervisor and Coach Mithsaika Napoleon (She/Her); as well as Administrative Coordinator: Cynthia Kane (She/Her) - who has been essential to the expansion of the OST/After School Education department and more. In honor of Women’s History Month, I spoke with a few women in leadership who reflected on their journeys, and their vision for the future of workspaces that empower women.
More specifically, this piece focuses on Maria Blaszczyk who transitioned to a leadership role in KSC, while she was completing her Masters Degree in Social Work at Temple University.
What was your path to leadership?
Maria: I came into relationship with KSC because I was an Americorp VISTA at one of our partner schools, Elkin. So I got to meet Pat and Cynthia there. I stayed in touch, the organization grew and positions opened up, then I joined as the volunteer coordinator. Positions opened up and that enabled me to do a whole lot of a little bit of everything, as well as the development and communications side. So I got to know the organization really well. I would say in the first six months I got a crash course as we were grwoing and developing. Then fast forward to Spring ‘22 we continued to grow and got a generous donation from the school district of Philadelphia, so I stepped into the role of Deputy Director where I am in charge of development, communications and as we grow get more organized and get the right people doing the same things. That is what I have been doing since May, so it’s all great.
Mallory: I am a long term player who has been working in the soccer industry for a decade moving through coaching and administrative positions to finally find my fit at KSC. I'm thrilled to be at an organization aimed at community advancement. I love my city, and want to work continuously to make it a safe, happy place.
Who inspired you as a leader?
Maria: I was raised in a really big sports family so my brothers were competitive wrestlers, my Dad was a wrestling coach so the sports’ competitiveness was always in my blood. Being raised in a house of only boys and being the only girl I learned from a really young age I had to fight to have my voice heard in a room full of men. I got used to it really quickly. Playing sports through school all the way up until college… the most inspiring thing was my teammates and my coaches that elevated to the top of the field. I played lacrosse and field hockey. It was always really incredible, some of my teammates that went on to play high levels in college and beyond, were so inspiring to see. They just never stopped working to get what they wanted. So as my path strayed away from playing sports super competitively, I took that competitive nature to everything I did. I often elevated into leadership positions in past roles.
What challenges have you faced as a leader?
In conclusion, Maria offers some important advice to young women interested in leadership. She says, “Do one thing that scares you. The thing that you fear the most will teach you the most. Whether that may be on the field, trying a new position, or a new skill you just learned.”
While there is a magnifying glass on these conversations in March, we hope to continue discussing these efforts throughout the year.
We are truly grateful for the leaders in our organization, and thank them for their contributions on and off the field. Do you have any reflections on being a woman in leadership? What are ways we can support women in our community? Share your reactions and responses with us!
Check out this feature of Maria here: