"I am excited to learn from one of the best franchises in professional sports," said Kessel. "The Penguins presented me with the opportunity to use my experience and love for hockey in a whole new capacity and I look forward to making the most of this program."
The Penguins' Executive Management Program offers candidates, with a focus on women and minority athletes, a one-year opportunity to work alongside executives within the Penguins partnership, marketing, communication and broadcast departments, as well as hockey operations. The first-of-its-kind program will consist of a rotation through different departments to expose participants to all aspects of the sports business, and includes graduate school educational and community service components.
"The Penguins have always taken the lead in innovation and this is an example of us looking ahead as an organization to drive diversity and inclusion in the National Hockey League," said Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse. "Our new executive management program gives unprecedented access to women and minorities to attain permanent, front-office executive positions in hockey and other professional sports."
"Amanda has the experience, drive, and education to be a fantastic front-office executive in professional sports, and we are honored to welcome her to Pittsburgh," said Morehouse.
Kessel, 30, has had an exceptional international career, as she has represented the United States at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Olympic Winter Games, bringing home a gold medal in 2018 and silver medals in 2014 and 2022. She has also represented the U.S. at multiple other tournaments, including six IIHF World Championship teams, four Four-Nations Cups and two Under-18 Women's World Championships.
In addition to her Olympic experience, Kessel plays professionally with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association. She has played in exhibition games and tournaments, most recently in the Rivalry Rematch game between the United States and Canada at PPG Paints Arena in March 2022.
Kessel enjoyed a four-year collegiate playing career at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a bachelor's degree in sports management in 2016, and led them to three Division I national championships in 2012, 2013 and 2016. In 2013, she was awarded the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award given to the top female college ice hockey player in the United States. Prior to her collegiate career, Kessel attended Shattuck-St. Mary's - the same prep school that produced Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby.
