35 under 35
Nicole Guetzke Theta Eta - Creighton University
Partnership Marketing Manager, United States Olympic & Paralympic Properties
Which of the Delta Zeta shared values resonates with you the most? Curiosity
Can you share a brief 5-7 sentence biography about yourself, highlight key moments in your career that have shaped who you are today?
The movie, “13 Going On 30,” is the best current reflection of my personal and professional growth, all starting with my first networking connection made in a high school careers class. From the doe-eyed dreamer on the phone with the marketing director of Team USA, I now have a seat at the table that’s planning the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games. There have been a million stepping stones in between, including a handful of incredible mentors and influences. My experience at Mall of America molded me to take on the world, exposing me to large-scale events including Super Bowl LVII, 2019 NCAA Final Four and Summer X Games. From those experiences, I took a position of preparation with the USA Hockey National Office. I was under the Team USA Umbrella, navigating the sports landscape on a global scale before the wishing dust gave me an experience of a lifetime. I accepted a role with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Properties, relocating me to Los Angeles, and sending me to Paris in the course of two weeks. Now, just shy of my 30th birthday, I can’t help but thank that 13 year old for picking up the phone, knowing that she’s dreaming even bigger for what’s to come.
Who has been an invaluable mentor for your professional career? What did you learn from this friendship?
I was born with a built-in best friend, with only eight minutes of separation, but a world of differences in our approach to our professional careers. Danielle, my twin sister, and I were fresh graduates in 2017, spending the summer at coffee shops, refreshing resumes, and submitting job applications nationwide. Where we differed in our process was the deciding factor: job first, location second for me, while Danielle had hers flipped. She is currently working her dream job and is my daily reminder of how much diversity there is to winning the working world.
How did you discover your passion and what opportunities have helped shape your curiosity for what you do?
The main factor in getting where I am has been remaining humble. Life is a team sport, and the wins around me have been more essential than the ones I claim my own.
Looking ahead in your career, how do you envision continuing to incorporate generosity into your leadership style and professional endeavors?
We can be generous with the words we share, the actions we take and the time we give to one another. In the working world, it’s easy to lose the human element to it all. When we are generous to the ones around us, and the ones that come before and after us, there is no stopping us.
How has your community helped you professionally? Is there a friend (or Delta Zeta sister) that has been behind you every step of the way on your career journey?
The sisterhood, in every definition, has been a pillar for me. From the Theta Eta Chapter, to the small but growing number of women in sports, I have leaned on the ladies who are making their way in this world the same way I am, which is the best way they know how.
What does empowerment mean to you, and how have you worked to empower others in your career or personal life?
You need to be a cheerleader before you can be a teammate. There are going to be victories around you more often than the victories of your own, and when your time comes, you don’t want to be the one celebrating alone.
What does it mean to you to create an environment of belonging for others, and how do you carry that lesson into your personal and professional life?
I have had times where I feel the need to take little space, to make room for someone or something else. But there’s a reason I have a seat at the table, and the value I bring to the table is released the second I acknowledge this.