🏆Bring Your Skills to Sports – Not the Other Way Around

From Front Desk to Front Office

Angela Harder didn’t chart a straight path – but that’s part of what makes her journey so powerful. She transferred colleges three times and started her career working at the front desk of a hotel during her freshman year. It was a job, but also the spark for a 7-year run in hospitality that taught her how business really works. “I learned how to manage people, understand revenue flow, and work alongside top-tier professionals,” she said.

That foundation led her to the luxury side of the hotel industry – and eventually into the startup world, thanks to a chance meeting with a tech COO. She became the third employee at a venture-backed company in Minneapolis and dove headfirst into HR, operations, hiring, and even building a payroll system from scratch. “I got a crash course in how startups scale,” she said. “When the company wound down in 2013, I took a moment to reflect on how unique it was to grow a business to 100+ employees — and then help responsibly shut it down.” Angela’s next move came full circle: she joined the executive search firm that had once supported her startup. “The owner asked if I wanted to learn how to recruit, and I jumped in with both feet.

Building Talent in the NBA

She eventually joined the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx post-COVID during a time of transition and opportunity. “I had never considered sports a career path, even though I’ve always loved sports as entertainment,” she admitted. But the chance to build a talent acquisition function from scratch – at a time of new ownership – was too good to pass up. Now in her third season, she leads employer branding, internal mobility, and workforce planning. “It’s been an important and fulfilling chapter,” she said. “Helping bring a more strategic and scalable approach to people operations in the sports world.”

In addition to her role in the NBA, Angela also co-hosts the Twin Cities Leaders podcast – in its first season, the series highlighting ten dynamic voices from the business and education sectors across the region. The show aims to build community, share ideas, and spark thoughtful conversation around leadership, talent, and innovation.

Finding Talent Through the Noise

When it comes to hiring, Angela doesn’t just focus on experience – she looks for qualities that thrive in high-pressure, layered environments like pro sports: curiosity, resilience, emotional intelligence, and a grounded sense of self.

She’s quick to point out that success isn’t about perfection – it’s about perspective and adaptability. “The most successful people I’ve worked with tend to have a few things in common: perspective, decisiveness, imagination, and the willingness to take smart risks,” she said. “As younger generations continue to enter the workforce, curiosity and a genuine desire to learn have become essential traits.”

Know When to Move On – and What to Move Toward

Angela has learned over time that career growth often comes down to timing – and sometimes, it’s better to move on sooner than planned. “Leave before you’re ready,” she says. “If you’ve made a plan to leave by a certain date, it usually means you’ve already outgrown the role.” She also believes in recognizing the power of positioning. While some companies pride themselves on being non-hierarchical, Angela doesn’t shy away from acknowledging that titles can open doors. “They can give you access to decision-making rooms – and access matters. Don’t underestimate the importance of positioning yourself to influence change.”

That same clarity shapes how she speaks to students exploring the sports industry. Loving sports, she says, isn’t enough on its own. “Figure out what you love to do and what you’re good at. Then bring that to sports – not the other way around.” It’s not about chasing the logo; it’s about finding meaningful work that energizes you, and letting that be your way in.

A Long-Term Vision for People in Sports

Angela’s motivation has shifted over time. In the beginning, she was driven by pace and progress – the thrill of building systems and scaling fast. Today, her “why” is deeper. “My purpose now is to help modernize how sports organizations think about talent,” she said. “It’s about investing in people, rethinking old systems, and being willing to challenge the status quo.”

“I show up every day with hope, patience, and a long view – because I believe the future of sports will be shaped by how we invest in people today.”

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