Jenny Mann

Jenny Mann
Chief Executive Officer, Adelaide 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championships

I am an experienced major sport events manager, with two-decade plus proven track record in planning and delivery of Olympic Games and global sport events.

I was born and bred in Canberra and studied a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sports Administration which at the time was the only specific degree of its kind in Australia. Since then sports studies has become mainstream.

My education was balanced with hundreds of hours of voluntary work in and around major sport events. This grew my skills and confidence and also opened many doors through the people I worked with.

I’ve been fortunate to live and work in several positions overseas throughout my career, including in Canada and China for the World Athletics Championships, and the United States to produce the Los Angeles Street Festival. 

One highlight of my career was being the Head of Sport Partnerships at the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland for three years. 

On reflection, I’ve been so fortunate to work in the field of major sport events, which is much more than simply sport. It’s through global events that countries and people from all different places unite together.

I can honestly say that I am still learning every single day, and I have been since I started out in my first voluntary role in sports management in 1996.

My advice for those starting out and aspiring to be a major sport event manager – listen and learn from the experts around you, roll up your sleeves and help-out, and jump-in the deep end and learn as you go!

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This article is part of the Festival & Event Industry Career Profiles series, a collection highlighting the diverse stories of Adelaide’s finest festival professionals. 

Photography by: Jack Fenby