Josie Pingitore
Www.linkedin.com/in/josie-pingitore,ON
Summary
Accomplished sports executive and York University alumna with over 20 years of leadership experience in professional and collegiate athletics. Proven expertise in high-performance program management, student-athlete development, and strategic operations. As President of the Brampton Honey Badgers and former Senior Director at the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), I have led multimillion-dollar budgets, national events, and athlete-centered initiatives that foster excellence, inclusion, and community impact. Passionate about advancing York’s legacy of academic and athletic achievement through visionary, equitable, and data-driven leadership.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
President
Brampton Honey Badgers
Brampton, ON
02.2025 - Current
- Created, allocated, and managed an annual operating budget of approximately $2 million, maintaining fiscal discipline and achieving all organizational objectives without overspending
- Generated over $650,000 in new revenue through innovative partnerships, strategic business development initiatives, and expansion of commercial opportunities
- Collaborated with the league office and all member teams to develop the CEBL’s first-ever 24-game season, securing the Hamilton Honey Badgers’ most competitive and strategically balanced schedule
- Directed a multidisciplinary operations team of 9 full-time, 22 contract, and 50+ seasonal staff—including a professional-caliber coaching, training, and player roster - fostering a culture of accountability and high performance
- Drove measurable growth across key business verticals, including sales pipeline development, partnership acquisition, sponsorship revenue, social media engagement, audience subscriptions, and database expansion
Vice President
Brampton Honey Badgers
Brampton, ON
05.2024 - 02.2025
- Led the business development strategy to position the franchise for successful sale and transition to private ownership.
- Directed financial planning, budget management, and long-term forecasting, ensuring fiscal accountability and operational efficiency.
- Identified and evaluated business expansion and revenue diversification opportunities, enhancing franchise market value and sustainability.
- Oversaw due diligence preparation, valuation support, and stakeholder communication during acquisition processes.
- Collaborated with ownership, legal, and league executives to develop governance frameworks and post-sale operational continuity plans.
- Strengthened commercial partnerships and community engagement initiatives to maximize brand equity and growth potential.
Senior Director
Canadian Elite Basketball League
Stoney Creek, ON
06.2018 - 05.2024
- Directed all league-wide ticketing strategy and operations, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and profitability across every franchise.
- Served as the primary ticketing operator and systems manager for all teams, collaborating closely with Ticketmaster and league executives to ensure seamless execution.
- Negotiated venue lease agreements and led the design of market-specific ticketing strategies for inaugural seasons and renewals.
- Led the league’s national COVID-19 return-to-play strategy, developing and implementing comprehensive health and safety protocols that enabled fans to return to live, indoor sporting events across multiple provinces.
- Led the end-to-end planning and execution of marquee league events, including the CEBL CLASH in Quebec City and support of Championship Weekend, overseeing every operational, marketing, and experiential element.
- Directed event logistics, venue relations, ticketing strategy, broadcast coordination, hospitality management, and ceremonial programming to deliver world-class, high-visibility events that elevated the CEBL’s national profile.
Manager, Ticketing and Hospitality
U Sports
Richmond Hill, ON
10.2016 - 04.2018
- Oversaw the end-to-end planning and execution of all U Sports events including the Vanier Cup National Championship, managing all facets of event delivery including ticketing, venue operations, hospitality, marketing, and broadcast coordination.
- Directed all game day operations, including stadium scheduling, team services, security coordination, volunteer management, and ceremonial execution to ensure seamless event delivery.
- Managed VIP and hospitality programs, including suite experiences, sponsor hosting, alumni receptions, and dignitary protocols, ensuring premium service and brand alignment.
- Led alumni and stakeholder engagement initiatives, coordinating outreach campaigns, event servicing, and special recognition activities to strengthen the championship’s community connection.
- Produced ceremonial and presentation scripting, managing all on-field activations, anthem protocols, trophy ceremonies, and award presentations in accordance with university and national event standards.
- Coordinated with participating universities and athletic departments to ensure compliance with competition, academic, and institutional protocols, as well as alignment with brand and sponsorship obligations.
- Championed a superior fan and participant experience, integrating innovative engagement strategies, community involvement, and digital storytelling to elevate the championship’s national impact.
Venue Ticketing and Hospitality Manager
FIFA Women's World Cup
Ottawa, ON
10.2013 - 09.2015
- Led the strategic development of stadium capacity models, seating configurations, and pricing frameworks within the Ticketmaster system to optimize revenue potential and enhance the fan experience.
- Directed the recruitment, onboarding, training, and management of box office and ticketing staff, ensuring full adherence to PCI compliance and industry best practices.
- Established comprehensive ticketing policies and consumer-facing guidelines for publication within the Fan Guide, encompassing purchase policies, return procedures, ticket limits, group sales, and venue protocols.
- Developed and institutionalized department-wide operating procedures across financial management, cash handling, bank partnerships, deposit scheduling, marketing collateral, sales incentives, troubleshooting, and guest services.
- Oversaw a large multidisciplinary team comprising 25 box office sellers, 100 guest services representatives, 8 volunteers, and 1 box office supervisor, fostering operational excellence and cohesive team execution.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Children's Studies Honours BA
York University
Toronto 09.2011 - 05.2013
Diploma - Social Services
Humber College
Etobicoke, ON06-2011
Skills
- Leadership team building
- Organizational leadership
- Strategic planning
- Operational excellence
- Project management
- Business development
- Budget management
- Contract negotiation
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
President
Brampton Honey Badgers
02.2025 - Current
Vice President
Brampton Honey Badgers
05.2024 - 02.2025
Senior Director
Canadian Elite Basketball League
06.2018 - 05.2024
Manager, Ticketing and Hospitality
U Sports
10.2016 - 04.2018
Venue Ticketing and Hospitality Manager
FIFA Women's World Cup
10.2013 - 09.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Children's Studies Honours BA
York University
09.2011 - 05.2013
Diploma - Social Services
Humber College