“I like the challenges we face,” says Jamie Morningstar. “When I started here, we were the worst in the league in ticket sales and revenue. The team is coming together and playing really well.” Kelly Kauffman who used to be a one-person human resources department for the Bucks, agrees. She looks for “Wisconsin nice” when interviewing applicants, growing the pool from 80 to 330 full-time employees for a total of 1,600 employees. “We try hard to make the culture feel like a family, and I think that we have been successful in doing so,” she says.
Kareeda Chones Aguam loves working with every department to provide the best in strategy and solutions for a unique group of partners. “As our organization continues to evolve and prosper, we are blessed to play integral roles in that success,” she says.
“What I love about my job is that when I put my mind to something and put my heart and soul into it, the rewards come.” – Suki Hobson, Head of Strength and Conditioning, Milwaukee Bucks
“The most challenging part of the job is also my most favorite part: No two days are the same.” – Kelly Kauffman, Chief Human Capital Officer, Milwaukee Bucks
Q&A With the Bucks Quartet
How are you a force within your community?
Kauffman: “Hiring over 1,000 people to staff our arena meant the opportunity to reach out to people who may not be employable or may be underemployed.”
Morningstar: “Being a female and being a part of an organization where, across the league, there aren’t a lot of women, shows you can get what you want.”
Chones Aguam: “My goal is to develop young professionals into the best leaders they can be and continue to make a positive impact within this organization and the Milwaukee community.”
Hobson: “I impact my community by being an inspiring role model to my peers, especially aspiring female staff in the NBA world. My other community is the youth of Milwaukee. By doing the best possible job that I can, I help to enhance the performance of the Milwaukee Bucks players, which in turn, inspires the youth of Milwaukee to be active and to achieve their goals in sport and in life.”
What is your life purpose?
Kauffman: “My ultimate purpose is to be the best mom I can be and be an example to my kids.”
Morningstar: “I want my girls to grow up knowing they have an opportunity in this world to make an impact.”
Chones Aguam: “Always be a positive example to my kids, family and co-workers and striving to be the best at whatever role you play.”
Hobson: “My purpose in life is to inspire others around me to be brave and to be powerful leaders. Bravery refers to me taking a huge leap in my professional life to be the first female head strength coach in professional sport in America. I hope that many more females follow in my footsteps.”
