This month’s professional spotlight features Deborah Embaie, Athlete Manager to top MLB, NBA and NFL talent. Read this month’s spotlight to learn Deborah and her exciting path to becoming an Athlete Manager at Roc Nation.
Could you briefly explain some of your responsibilities in your current career role?
I currently serve as an Athlete Manager at Roc Nation Sports representing some of the greatest human beings who play professionally in the MLB, NBA and NFL. My day to day workload differs based on the client I’m working with at that moment. I typically oversee and serve as a liaison for my clients’ off the field and off the court business endeavors (i.e. endorsement deals, philanthropic contributions, etc). I collaboratively work with my colleagues in the various departments at Roc Nation to provide full-service representation to our client roster.
How did you come to decide that this was the right career path for you?
In Spring of 2015, I was gearing up to complete my Masters in Public Administration from NYU and knew that I wanted my career move to be one of social impact and change. While in my graduate program, I had the honor of meeting countless executives and mentors who helped guide me on my endeavors. I was introduced to a senior executive in the sports industry who through the relationship we built offered me an opportunity to interview with Roc Nation. He told me it would be an entry level position and that the role would allow me to understand how the sports industry operated. Shortly after my initial offer, I remember it like it was yesterday, I was asked to become a manager and start working with a newly signed client at the time. Four years later, I now manage eight professional athletes across the MLB, NBA and NFL. As I reflect on my career decision post grad school, I must say I feel as though I am moving in my purpose. I am able to provide leadership and guidance to some of the most influential human beings on this earth and help them use their platform to inspire the next generation of leaders.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my job are the relationships that I’ve built with each of my clients. I consider them to be my brothers and their families as my own. I am encouraged to continuously help them to be the best version that I know they are and can be. I enjoy building with their different brand partners and creating narratives that society can experience through digital content and marketing campaigns. The most favorite part of my role is helping to build out their philanthropic visions and bringing them to life in the communities they choose to support. I am truly blessed to work with such an emotionally intelligent and kind group of men and will continue to give them 100 percent of myself in all that we collaborate on together.
What are some of the more challenging aspects of your job? How do you work past these challenges?
I would have to say the most challenging aspect of my job is work life balance. Most people know me as the person who is available 24/7 and willing to go above and beyond for all things that matter to me. In my first 2 years on the job, I can definitely say I lacked the true understanding of work life balance. I would dedicate my everyday life to work related projects but realized that in order for me to be the best version of myself I would need to find balance. Being first generation Eritrean American and watching how my family’s work ethic contributed to their success was something I aimed to accomplish. After the passing of my father in the winter of 2017, I traveled with my family to Eritrea to bury him and returned to the NYC with a new outlook on life. I began to reminisce on the discussions I had with him on topics such as empathy, emotional intelligence, success and all that it entailed. I remembered how proud he was of my mother, siblings and I which reminded me of the importance of finding balance. I began to do more meditations, spending time with loved ones, working out, eating better and of course sleeping. I was able to overcome this major challenge and can truly say it has contributed to my overall success thus far.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment thus far would have to be moving to NYC without any family to pursue a graduate degree from a top university and attaining a position that allows me to be my whole self. I have not only made myself proud, but I have made my family proud which is the most important thing to me. I am truly blessed to be able to provide guidance to a group of individuals who inspire our youth and other members within our society.
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone looking to transition into your line of work?
One piece of advice that I would give someone looking to transition into my line of work would be to network. Networking is one of the major reasons why I am in the sports industry today. It is important to build authentic relationships with people who you consider to be mentors and folks who you aspire to learn from. Everyone’s path is very different but using your platform and honing into your passion is what will help you get to the next level in your respective profession.
Outside of all your hard work and efforts toward building your brand, what do you do for fun?
Hobbies? Everyone who knows me knows I love to dance and sometimes even sing. I love working out, listening to my eclectic music playlists, spending time with loved ones and of course cooking. If I’m not traveling for work and I’m relaxing at the house with family or friends, I’m typically the one putting on some good tunes and whipping up a whole meal plus dessert for us to enjoy together.