Initiative: How an All-Women’s Team Helps an NFL Quarterback Win

If you don’t think initiative works when it comes to getting ahead, here’s a woman’s leadership story built around NFL playoff dreams that will change your mind.

She’s not a player (obviously). But this agent, and her all-female team, helped make major business deals that led to huge professional wins for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Initiative at the Heart of Her Work

Regardless of whether you enjoy football (or sports in general), we figured it was important to highlight this sports agent. Her story not only illustrates the opportunities that are possible when women make their presence known, but it also showcases how a good ally behaves.

As Hurts works towards another run for another Super Bowl win and Vince Lombardi trophy, now’s a good time to take a look at Nicole Lynn, and her team.

Lynn landed Hurts an NFL record-breaking five-year, $255 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles a few years ago.

How did they get here?

How the Female Leader Landed the Deal

Nicole Lynn became aware that Hurts was searching for a new agent and simply took the initiative to offer her services online. She reached out to Hurts on Instagram after his final collegiate game.

Hurts liked Lynn’s determination. After the pair met for a discussion, her qualifications, work experience, and management style stood out. He felt that she was the best person for the job.

Taking that first step allowed her accomplishments to shine.

Although securing this position was a significant step in Lynn’s career, it wasn’t her only impressive accomplishment. In 2019, she represented Quinnen Williams and became the first black woman to represent one of the NFL’s draft picks. But now, Lynn is the first black woman to serve as an agent for a quarterback who was named the Super Bowl MVP.

Behind Lynn’s Company

There are five women managing Hurts on and off the field, three of whom are women of color.

Meet the Team That Landed a Record-Breaking Contract

Nicole Lynn

Nicole Lynn attended law school at OU and, before representing Hurts, had already represented nearly a dozen Crimson Tide graduates.

Chantal Romain – Media Relations & Client Services

Chantal Romain has experience in communications strategies for various sports associations, including the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, and the NFL.

Shakeemah Simmons-Winter – Media Relations & Client Services

Shakeemah Simmons-Winter is a senior publicist and specializes in both the FIBA and NFL. She previously served as the PR coordinator for the New York Knicks.

Rachel Everett – Marketing Relations

Rachel Everett owns Everett Sports Marketing and is in charge of all the marketing components of Jalen Hurts’s career.

Jenna Malphrus – Management

Jenna Malphrus handles a wide array of Hurts’s management tasks and works alongside Simmons-Winter and Rachel Everett in terms of marketing projects.

Each member of this team worked hard and to get to where they are. Let them inspire you to recognize your worth and step into situations with confidence.

Use Initiative to Get Ahead

As a woman in leadership, you can use practice initiative to win, too (probably not the Super Bowl, but what’s valuable in your work environment).

Here are three tips:

Pick Your Project

Don’t wait to be picked to lead. Choose one visible problem or project each quarter and step up to own it. Don’t offer to help. Say, “Here is a specific issue I see, here is my plan, and here is what I need from you to run with it.”​

Help Set the Rules

Women tend to play by the rules. And that’s OK. What’s better, though, is helping set the rules.

Volunteer to be part of leadership initiatives that help set or develop promotion criteria, leadership standards, and company culture expectations. Be part of panels or groups that set or review standards that exist or explore new ways forward.

Claim Your Career

Take conscious steps to steer your career instead of waiting for the system to fairly steer it. Set explicit goals for yourself, then actively ask for the assignments, training, and promotions that move you toward those goals.