Name: Leslie Stachowiak
Title and Organization: Senior Director – Strategic Communications, Milwaukee Brewers
Graduation Year and Degree: 2004 BS in Journalism
Leslie Stachowiak (BS’04) was recently awarded the Katy Feeney Leadership Award with the Milwaukee Brewers. This award, created in 2017, is awarded to one female employee from each Major League club, along with one recipient from the MLB Office of the Commissioner and MLB Network. Named after the pioneering female executive in baseball, the Katy Feeney Leadership Award celebrates the contributions, initiatives and drive of women in baseball. In this Q&A, Stachowiak reflects on her time at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) and what receiving this award means to her.
When it comes to this award and your strategic communication career, what are you most proud of?
Receiving the Katy Feeney Leadership Award from the Milwaukee Brewers and Major League Baseball is incredibly meaningful, particularly because it recognizes thoughtful, impactful contributions to the game and the industry. I’m proud to play a role in elevating the Brewers philanthropic and community efforts – work that reflects the organization’s values and commitment to Milwaukee – while also contributing across a wide range of strategic communications priorities that support the business and the brand as a whole. I’m equally proud of the path that led me to baseball communications. My experience across agency, healthcare, and corporate environments gave me a broad perspective and a strong strategic foundation. That journey was grounded in what I learned at the J‑School, which equipped me with core skills and the ability to adapt across industries. Those fundamentals have been essential throughout my career and continue to guide how I approach communications, leadership, and storytelling today.
What’s the best advice you have for a SJMC student who wants to do what you do?
My path did not start in sports, and that’s something I always want students to hear. There’s a misconception that if you don’t land a sports job right out of college, that door closes – but that’s not true. What does matter is building strong, transferable skills and being willing to take opportunities that help you grow. Moving through different roles and industries made me more well‑rounded and better prepared when I did move into sports. That said, sports is a competitive industry, so you do have to be intentional. Get involved while you’re on campus. Work with the athletic department, volunteer in support roles, cover teams through writing or social media – find ways to gain exposure, experience, and connections. Be open to internships, even if they’re away from home or after graduation. Most importantly, be ready to hustle. Work hard, stay self‑motivated, and treat every role as a chance to learn. If you combine strong fundamentals with real‑world experience and persistence, there are many paths into sports.
What is your favorite SJMC memory?
While one of the most difficult classes because it was weighted with 6 credits, I enjoyed the Intro to Journalism class. I met so many J-school friends that I shared classes with throughout college. Building that camaraderie through the class projects and “agency work” laid a strong foundation for the rest of my time at J-School . I also hold fondly the memories of classes with Professor Baughman – or Prof Bauf as he was also known. I took History of Mass Communication with him and his enthusiasm for teaching the next generation of Journalism students was infectious. He approached everything with such passion, and it was a pleasure to learn from him. We also had many hilarious discussions about the best fish fry in the Madison-area – I’m not sure we ever agreed on it!