Las Patronas: The Patrona Behind The World Cup

Learn the secrets of high-stakes negotiation and servant leadership with Dallas Sports Commission's Monica Paul. As Latina professionals, we often find ourselves navigating spaces where we are the first, the only, or the one expected to carry the heaviest mental load. Whether you're trying to scale a business, negotiate a massive contract, or simply figure out how to advocate for yourself in a room full of big personalities, the pressure to perform flawlessly while honoring your cultural values can feel overwhelming.  Enter Monica Paul, the Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission and the force of nature leading the North Texas FIFA World Cup organizing committee. Monica didn't just watch history happen; she wrote the playbook, securing nine World Cup matches for her region, more than any other city in North America. But before she was commanding the global stage, she was learning the value of grit and integrity on her family's farm in Caldwell, Texas. In this episode, we unpack exactly how Monica went from taking a $50-a-week job at the Olympic Training Center to transforming Dallas into the number one sports business city. You'll learn her strategic approach to building win-win partnerships, how to create a lasting community legacy, and why taking that terrifying first step is the key to unlocking your biggest career moves. 00:00 - Small Town Values Meets World Class Ambition 03:01 - Securing 9 World Cup Matches: Behind the Scenes 05:00 - The Power of Saying "Yes" Before You're Ready 09:18 - The North Texas Sports Foundation & Legacy 13:43 - Getting Big Personalities on the Same Page 19:50 - Advice for Women Entering Sports Tourism Share Your Story. Your story matters. Have you reclaimed your voice from a difficult experience? Share it with us. DM us on Instagram: @LatinaLeadershipPodcast or email us at [email protected].