Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryne Buckley-Tessem.
Originally from Midlothian, Texas, Kathryne graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Sport Management and Business Administration. During her time at Texas A&M, Kathryne worked in the athletic department for multiple teams, including the 2009 Men’s Golf National Championship Team. Kathryne spent four years serving as the Athletic Programs Assistant for Midlothian ISD where she planned and organized athletic department events and assisted the Director of Athletics with evaluating and marketing programs.
She served as the District’s Assistant Title IX Coordinator and Director of Fitnessgram as well as helped in the athletic design of the second high school, Midlothian Heritage. Kathryne joined the Frisco RoughRiders full-time in January of 2015 as a Partner & Event Services Coord. was promoted to Director (‘16) and to Asst. Vice President of Partner & Event Services (‘18). Kathryne held a prominent role in the overall success of the RoughRiders. Her contributions were essential to the franchise enjoying record-breaking seasons on several fronts, including setting a new single-season mark for sponsorship revenue in 2017. Kathryne took the lead in planning & organizing the successful operation of the 2017 Texas League All-Star Game and served as the primary contact for more than 200 events a year at Dr Pepper Ballpark, including the Frisco College Baseball Classic, Cowboys Reliant Home Run Derby, Dirk’s Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game, and the Red River Celebrity Softball Game. She also managed a number of the RoughRiders charitable initiatives that positively impacted the community.
In 2017, she was the Texas League nominee for the prestigious Rawlings Female Executive of the Year Award (presented to a women who has made outstanding contributions to her club, her league, and baseball). She joined the Sports Leadership Institute in 2018 as the Director of Event Operations for the Collegiate Sports Summit and Global Sports Summit. In 2019, Kathryne was selected as a Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree as one of the top young professionals in the metroplex. She was also selected by Minor League Baseball as a mentor for their inaugural LIFT (Leaders Inspiring Future Talent) Program. And nominated by the Midlothian ISD Athletics Hall of Honor for induction with the Class of 2019.
After working ten years in the Sports & Entertainment Industry, Kathryne made the decision with her family to step out of a full-time role (working 60-80 hour weeks) in June of 2019. She still wanted to be able to stay active in the industry but knew the day-to-day grind was going to extremely difficult to navigate as a first responder family with two little ones. She considers being a wife and a mom two of her greatest callings in life, and felt God was also calling her to continue to use her gifts to serve others in an industry she loves. At the time, she was fortunate to be serving on a number of professional and collegiate advisory boards as well as consulting for events and leadership summits. Kathryne knew that she could follow the passion she had for building relationships and creating memorable events all while staying home with her two little ones. Time flexibility is a priority for her and she began seeking new consulting opportunities to make that a reality. She loves working with people and seeing things come to fruition from the ground up. The joy it brings fills her cup! In addition to private event and non-profit consulting, Kathryne also founded the Joy in the Journey podcast and blog; with one purpose in mind- to bring the JOY back to your journey, wherever that may be. She has hosted entrepreneurs, small business owners, as well as rising stars in each episode. Kathryne serves as a Board Member for the Dallas Influencers in Sports & Entertainment, a Sport & Recreation Management Expert Team Member for Texas A&M Commerce University, Member for Texas Women’s University College of Health Sciences Advisory Board and is an active member for WISE DFW. She has the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director for ASA Texas and is the Board Administrator for the Midlothian ISD Athletics Hall of Honor.
Her passion for children led Kathryne to join the Children’s Health Women’s Auxiliary and she volunteers with the Mesquite Fire Department L-1518 Auxiliary. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Chad and their children, Hailey Grace (4) and Hunter (2), as well as attending sporting events, reading, and traveling. {If you need way back} Kathryne was a graduate of Midlothian High School and comes from a small business family… one of the reasons she was led to start her own! What people say about Kathryne: You wouldn’t think there were enough hours in the day for Kathryne to do all that she did on a daily basis. But just when you thought she was done for the day, she would head off to be mom to her two young children or to another organization in which she volunteered her time. She is the definition of a servant leader. Even outside of the workplace, Kathryne is always looking for a way to lend a helping hand. She’s just one of the good people in this world who continually do things for other people and yet expects nothing in return. Kathryne’s expertise in cultivating and managing corporate partner relationships was central to the franchise continued amazing success in sponsorship revenue milestones.
One of our lead community sponsors, Children’s Health had this to say about Kathryne: “Kathryne Buckley has been instrumental in building an amazing relationship between Children’s Health and the Frisco RoughRiders. From the first day we started working together, Kathryne has shown a genuine interest in not only promoting our brand in the ballpark but also forming a relationship between her team and mine. From the “Home Run for Life” activation she created to organizing multiple team visits to our two hospital locations, Kathryne goes above and beyond to ensure that our patients and employees are recognized and appreciated, whether it be at the hospital or at the ballpark. Beyond her work ethic, she’s also a genuine person who cares deeply about their job. In my meetings with Kathryne, she always puts her client first and continues to propose new ideas to involve our patients, doctors and nurses. When forming new partnerships, I always give Kathryne’s name as an industry leader in generating sponsorship activations. She gets down on the same level as the kids to make them feel more comfortable but can also rise to the occasion when asked to join hospital leaders in their suite. “There’s really nothing she can’t do.” – Nicole Jacobsen-Mayberry, Former Program Manager.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been an easy road. Many times, I was the youngest person in the room and being in the sports industry, early on, was sometimes the only female in the room. You learn to navigate and earn people’s trust very quickly to get even the smallest tasks accomplished. Additionally, during some of my busiest times in 2016 and 2018, I gave birth to my daughter and son. I did not take a maternity leave for either and instead was fortunate to have a remote work environment (well before everyone started doing it in 2020). For my daughter, she was in the middle of our off-season, which was our busiest time for non-game day events. And for my son, he was born Opening Weekend of the 2018 MiLB Season. They literally grew up at the Ballpark! I would want readers to know, through everything and part of the stories that I share now with my podcast, I found my Joy in the Journey. We all face challenges and obstacles, but pushing through with a positive mindset and surrounding yourself with an encouraging community is the best way to get you through!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The story behind Joy in the Journey! When my parents were deciding on my name, they knew that their first daughter would be named after my mother’s mom, Kathryne. When it came to my middle name, my Nana recommended the name Joy because I would be the first granddaughter, and it would be a joy to have me. After thirty years of having Joy for a middle name, I finally understood what joy is. I’ve learned to live a life full of it, even when simple happiness isn’t possible. And so, JOY in the Journey began. A little more about the Podcast: Everyone has a story and I am so excited to be highlighting people who authentically share how they found joy in the journey in their unique experiences. Being able to share so many stories is inspiring and so much fun! Quote I love to share: “Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family.” – Thomas S. Monson
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Coming from a small business family, I feel like I have always known that you can take the leap of faith and go after your dreams; because I watched my parents build their business. What has been interesting to watch is more and more people taking the leap and starting something new. The 8-5 is no longer the only option. People are seeing the value of spending time with family, friends and creating more and more time freedom. The older I get, the more convicted I am that the person who has truly been successful is the person who has pinpointed their passion and then followed a path that will allow them to pursue that passion and develop their God-given gifts. I have found my passions – faith, family, fun, and love of people.
Contact Info:
- Email: kbt@kathrynebuckley.com
- Website: www.kathrynebuckley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathryne_joyinthejourney/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kbt.joy
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbt_joy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdTGyNcTbvdDWhwfcIHgFIA
Image Credits
Hamerly Photography (feature photo and family photo)
