Femme Lead S03 E09 UEFA Top Women in Football: How education in sports can inspire a society with Diana Pirciu, Romanian Football Federation.
Education | Sport Management | Women in Sports | Football Education | Volunteer Manager | UEFA EURO 2020 | Leadership | Mindset | Athlete | Tennis Player |
A former Romanian international tennis player, Diana Pirciu studied communications and sports marketing in the USA before joining the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) as a corporate social responsibility manager and education specialist.
For EURO 2020, she was the volunteer manager in Bucharest, overseeing a team of 850 to ensure the city's four matches go to plan. Diana is now the education manager of the Romanian National Football Academy and leads engagement projects in FRF.
In 2021 she was recognized by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) as a top woman in football and her profile was showcased among the ‘Five stars of UEFA EURO 2020.’
In our interview, Diana shares insights into how to create your role within an organization by knowing your priorities and giving yourself the opportunity to change your mind.
Her athlete background shows up in everything she does. Diana is the type of person who starts projects without having the title or official role for it, but rather as a proactive approach to make things happen and push innovation forward.
As a good source of inspiration for our mental health, Diana shares tips from when she worked with a mental coach.
Follow Diana Pirciu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-pirciu-43113731/
Here you can read the UEFA article ‘Five Stars of UEFA EURO 2020.’
Episode Timeline:
02:35 What is your role at the Romanian Football Federation?
05:48 How did you decide to stop your professional sports career and pursue a different career path?
10:07 How did you decide from such a young age what your professional path will be?
14:22 What did it mean for you to be recognized by UEFA?
21:00 What is one realization about your role as an educational specialist?
24:45 How should we tackle the pay gap between women and men in sports?
28:15 What are the surprises or lessons of your career in sports management?
37:00 How did you approach your mental health?
40:38 Final 5 Fire Questions.
Video & Audio Editing: Laura de Nuzzo.