Felisa Israel stands as a prominent figure in the sports and entertainment industry, bringing over two decades of NBA experience to her role as the Founder and Executive Director of the IMPACT Learning Institute. Her journey, marked by leadership positions with the Phoenix Suns and NBA Entertainment, coupled with entrepreneurial success, underscores her deep understanding of audience engagement and career development. This expertise now fuels her passion for nurturing the next generation of professionals through the IMPACT Learning Institute.
Felisa Israel: A Legacy of Excellence in Sports & Entertainment
Throughout her distinguished NBA career, Felisa Israel consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to captivate audiences and enhance fan experiences. As the Phoenix Suns’ Director of Entertainment & Special Events, she revolutionized game presentation, establishing Phoenix as a benchmark for fan engagement across the league. Her innovative and creative approach led to groundbreaking initiatives that significantly elevated the in-arena atmosphere. This success extended to the league level when Felisa became NBA Entertainment’s Director of Live Programming & Entertainment. She was also selected to contribute to the Team Marketing & Business Operations (TMBO) division, where her role involved evaluating game presentation and fan experience strategies for all NBA teams and reporting directly to the commissioner. Beyond observing in-arena dynamics, Felisa assessed team personnel, providing valuable insights and evaluations to team presidents and owners to inform critical organizational decisions.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Felisa founded 10 Fold Entertainment, a live event production company renowned for creating unforgettable moments. Her philosophy of “doing everything tenfold” has guided her team to partner with leading names in sports, entertainment, and media. They consistently deliver events that not only excite audiences but also surpass expectations, leveraging their unique expertise and commitment to excellence. Expanding her impact beyond professional sports, Felisa has dedicated her skills to philanthropic endeavors, collaborating with organizations like Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Straight But Not Narrow to produce impactful fundraising and awareness events. She has also actively engaged with academia, sharing her industry knowledge and experience with students at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, shaping future leaders through teaching, mentorship, and internship opportunities.
The Birth of IMPACT Learning Institute: Cultivating the Next Generation
Felisa Israel’s experience at UCLA Anderson School of Management revealed a critical need for specialized professional development for students aspiring to careers in the competitive sports, entertainment, and media sectors. This insight led to the creation of the IMPACT Learning Institute, a program designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands. The IMPACT Learning Institute is a comprehensive professional development program offering education, mentorship, training, and hands-on experiential learning opportunities. It is specifically tailored for college students and recent graduates seeking to launch successful careers in these dynamic fields.
At the heart of the IMPACT Learning Institute is Felisa’s unwavering commitment to empowering young professionals. She leverages her extensive career experiences, her unparalleled network of industry connections, and her deep-seated passion for mentorship to provide participants with invaluable opportunities. The institute equips young professionals with the essential skills and knowledge to not only enter but also thrive in the fast-paced and competitive environments of sports, entertainment, and media. IMPACT Learning Institute stands as a testament to Felisa Israel’s dedication to making a lasting impact by fostering the growth and success of the next generation of industry leaders.
