Former Fijiana XVs captain and current Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Hospitality and Sponsorships Manager Lailanie Burnes is the first Fijian national to be selected for a transformational sports diplomacy program offered by the US Government to empower women from around the world called the ESPNW Global Sports Mentoring Program to Empower Women and Girls in Sports.
Speaking from the US, Burnes says she is finding this program to be enriching and inspirational.
She hopes to learn more about how women have used their unique skills to break through the glass ceiling and obtain executive roles in the male-dominated sports industry.
Burnes says she also hopes to gain media skills which will enable her to connect with athletes, obtain organizational support, and garner international publicity.
She has professional experience in media, hospitality, and tourism and has graduate degrees in Management and Human Resources and a Master of Business.
Burnes has diverse professional experience which have provided her with the platform and leadership skills necessary to emerge as a leading advocate for sport in Fiji.
As a sports educator, she also offers courses for aspiring coaches to grow in their technical and managerial expertise.
Burnes will be mentored by the Executive Vice President of Club Business Affairs, Susan Cohig, and her team at NHL in New York.
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