20 Under 40: Carly Fennell

Meet Carly Fennell, 39, senior director, health and safety data management with the National Football League and one of our 20 Under 40 Class of 2024 recipients

AS SENIOR DIRECTOR of health and safety data management at the National Football League, Carly Fennell leads a talented team to design data ecosystems that enhance decision-making for league’s Player Health and Innovation department. Managing a multi-million-dollar budget and overseeing strategic direction, she empowers her team to thrive through curiosity, collaboration and bold problem-solving. A proud Londoner, mother of two and advocate for diversity in STEM and sports, she is passionate about inspiring change, building connections and giving back to the London community.

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What would you say is your single biggest business achievement, and why?

I’m going to cheat and list two because they are vastly different. The first was working as a ground-floor employee at a startup company and being actively involved in successfully launching first-of-its-kind custom footwear products directly to consumers they could order from their phone. I got to be a part of almost every part of the business and learned a ton along the way. The second achievement I’m extremely proud of is that alongside my successful career to date, I am very proud to be a mother of two — one and five years old — and I try and take every opportunity I can to speak about my experiences being a mom and achieving success in the highly technical, male-dominated fields of engineering, data and professional sports.

What is your biggest ­ambition?

This honestly seems to be evolving rather quickly over the years! Within my current professional domain, I would be extremely interested in eventually working for a Canadian sports organization or NHL team. Outside of my engineering and data domain, I’d like to make a real impact on some issues that truly matter to me, including reducing our impact on the environment, affordable housing and equal access to education and sport.

What’s one unexpected thing you like to tell people about your job?

I currently don’t do any of the hands-on-keyboard coding work I was originally hired to help build out. I do miss this, but I also have come to understand that my skills in setting the right strategic vision, building the team, fostering a culture of high performance, creativity, respect and collaboration is where I am most impactful to the NFL today.

You’re off on your dream vacation — where are you headed?

My dream vacation would include three to four nights backpacking in the mountains, ending in a quaint town with A-plus restaurants and within walking distance of a beach. Do me a kindness and let me know where that exists, and I’ll be there. Interview by Kieran Delamont