Image courtesy of the Geelong Advertiser
With over 10 years of sports venue management experience, we could think of no one better to kick off our ‘Meet the Team’ series than our Chief Operating Officer, Natalie Valentine. Natalie gives us her view on leadership, the future of Kardinia Park, Taylor Swift and much more!
What was your first job?
Sports Development Officer at Deakin University
What does true leadership mean to you?
Leadership to me means the ability to listen, motivate and inspire in both a personal and professional sense. I don’t believe leadership is governed by position titles and/or position hierarchy, each of us has the ability to listen, motive and inspire others on a daily basis.
What is your hidden talent?
I’m not sure I would call it a hidden talent, but in my spare time (which is rare at the moment) I enjoy renovating and interior design.
What would your dream event at Kardinia Park be?
Each event at Kardinia Park is both exciting and rewarding in its own right, and I have been fortunate to be involved in many rewarding community, commercial and corporate events at the Stadium. There is something special about seeing the joy on peoples faces when they get to access the ground for the first time or they go behind the scenes to see how the Stadium operates. It is difficult to choose one dream event however, to be a part of the team that presents the Geelong region with their first major music concert at the Stadium would be a real treat… if I could go as far as saying an international artist/s, that would be my dream for the Stadium.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Hahaha… not something I have ever thought about but they would have to be able to have fun and have a sense of humour… would it be too corny to say Jennifer Aniston?
What was the best advice you received?
‘Always be true to who you are and treat others how you wish to be treated’
AC/DC or Taylor Swift?
I don’t listen to either…. but Taylor Swift is more likely to be on the radio when I am driving.
Where do you see Kardinia Park in 10 years?
A thriving Sports and Entertainment Precinct that encourages all demographics of the community to be physically and mentally active, supports our local sporting organisations (grassroots to elite), showcases our sporting history, enables the arts and sports to blend and embraces the growth of the Region.
