JanaNBrooks.com

ABOUT

Jana N. Brooks, CVP, LEED® Green Associate™ is an accomplished event, sustainability, and venue management professional in Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Brooks is the owner of Forward Minded Management, LLC, a boutique sustainability and event consulting company. She was most recently the Operations Manager for OakView Group at the newly renovated CFG Bank Arena, formerly the Baltimore Arena. She oversaw the event changeover, janitorial, and maintenance teams in the updated 14,000-seat venue. Previously, she was the Event and Tenant Services Manager for the Maryland Stadium Authority where she received her formal introduction into the sports industry. During her tenure, Jana had become known for her exceptional tenant relations and customer service efforts as well as her oversight of the sustainability initiatives used across the 85-acre Camden Yards Sports Complex; which resulted in LEED EB: O&M certifications of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the B&O Warehouse, gold and silver respectively.

Jana earned her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Baltimore. In addition, she has completed a Sports Management certification in the Sports Industry Essentials Program from Columbia University and graduated from The George Washington University Event Management Certificate program. Her leadership training also includes the completion of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) three year Venue Management School program as well as the Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence by the Disney Institute.

Prior to joining MSA in 2013, she worked part-time with S.A.F.E. Management providing game-day event management support for the Baltimore Ravens and the US Naval Academy while briefly working full-time as the Administrative Coordinator of the Nuclear Medicine department at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Ms. Brooks is active in the Green Sports Alliance, a founding member of MUSE (Members United for Sustainable Events), member of the DMV Chapter of Black Sports Professionals, and the Stadium Managers Association. She was previously appointed as the Vice President of her high school alumnae association. Jana takes the most pride in to her role as the Director of Region 1 within the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) where she earned her Certified Venue Professional designation in June 2018 as well as her LEED® Green Associate™ certification earned in June 2023 and Waste Auditor Certification in August 2023.
GALLERY
Ms. Brooks during speaking engagements, panel discussions, or giving tours. 1st row (l to r): 1) speaking on a panel at the SEME Conference in Washington, DC (2017); 2) post-panel discussion during the Green Sports Alliance Summit in Atlanta, GA (2018); 3) panel discussion at Johnson & Wales' SEEM Leadership Conference in Providence, RI (2017); 4) hosting my original event idea: the GSA/IAVM Huddle at M&T Bank Stadium (2018); 5) first panel appearance at Georgetown University in Washington, DC (2015)2nd row (l to r): 1) giving a tour of Oriole Park to attendees of the NFMT conference (2017); 2) moderating a panel for the Women in Sports and Events (WISE) DC Chapter in Washington, DC (2017); 3) giving a tour of Oriole Park to the Climate Leadership Conference attendees (2019)
MEDIA

"Building The DMV" podcast (link)
Construction and recycling initiatives, 2021
As the sustainability guru, Jana is responsible for maintaining the property’s LEED certifications, while also keeping an eye on improvements and renovations throughout the complex.
United Journey via W in-Win-Win (link)
Who Is Jana Brooks, CVP?, 2020
Jana was interviewed by Eric Dorsey of Baltimore United to discuss her journey to her current position, her responsibilities, and what she plans to pursue in the future.
20/20 Vision Series for IAVM (link)
International Association of Venue Managers, 2020
In a conversation led by Bobby Goldwater, President of The Goldwater Group LLC and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, Jana details how she entered the sports industry and other highlights from her career thus far. *Registration needed for access to the video.
Front Office Sports interview (link)
First Professional Interview, 2015
This was Jana's first interview about her career path into the sports industry.
IAVM D&I Interview (link)
Interviewed for IAVM's Facility Manager magazine, 2019
In the now Facility Professionals magazine, Jana spoke about the importance of intentionality when considering a diversity and inclusion initiative.
Innovations TV
On behalf of the Maryland Stadium Authority and Busch Systems, 2016
Jana appeared on the television show, Innovations, to speak to the importance of branding in sustainability.
Terracycle Partnership (link)
Cigarette Butt Recycling Initiative, 2019
Jana has led MSA to recycle over 125,000 cigarette butts, with the help of the Orioles and Ravens game day fans, which Terracycle turns into plastic crates and ash trays.
Presentation Topics
Jana can speak to your college student organization or professional team about how she has entered and navigated the sports event industry, event management, or sustainability in your venue.

Delivery Formats
Regardless of the platform, Ms. Brooks will adapt. In-person or virtual presentations, webinars, podcasts, panel discussions or moderating, or interviews.

Event Infographic
A few of Jana's event and sustainability statistics.
EMPLOYMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Owner
11/2023 - present
• Specializes in creating and driving an organization’s sustainability goals, whether that is initially starting a recycling program or pursuing LEED certification
• Provides oversight, planning, or management for events ranging from 5-150,000 people
Operations Manager
Employed by Oak View Group || 1/2023 - 4/2023
• Supervised the janitorial, maintenance, and changeover teams; to include interviewing, hiring, and providing performance evaluations for changeover and maintenance team members
• Coordinated set up and breakdown of various staging for a wide variety of concerts and family events
• Arranged the work schedules and projects for maintenance of the 14,000 seat venue using 24/7 software
• Liaised for all cleaning crew work during the final stages of renovations to the 400,000 square foot arena
Event and Tenant Services Manager
11/2013 - 1/2023
• Managed all operational and logistical aspects of all outdoor event space within 85-acre complex
• Acted as a liaison for all Warehouse and Camden Station tenants regarding cleaning, construction and event issues within approximately 500,000+ square feet of space
• Led Recycling and Sustainability Management efforts within M&T Bank Stadium, Oriole Park and the Warehouse while ensuring employee and tenant cooperation and involvement
• Managed Mass Vaccination site at M&T Bank Stadium in partnership with state entities that administered over 248,000 vaccines in 5 months, including overseeing a Vice Presidential visit
• Assisted in the LEED certification process at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the B&O Warehouse, where EB O&M Gold and EB O&M Silver designations were earned respectively
• Drove the recycling initiatives within Oriole Park which raised the annual diversion rate from 18% to 32% in one year
Operations Coordinator
7/2003 - 11/2013
• Managed and resolved guest inquiries via GuestAssist Text Messaging Software
• Supervised staff between 16 to 20 team members during game day events for the Baltimore Ravens and US Naval Academy football games
• Conducted performance evaluations and provided continual feedback to staff
• Supervised up to 13 employees during 4 NFL Super Bowls; Coordinated all logistics to include position assignments, shifts worked, and payroll hours
PAST AUDIENCES INCLUDE
JANA'S RESUME
Please click the link below to download Jana's full resume.
DOWNLOAD
This is a personal website. Any views or opinions represented on this webpage are personal, belong solely to the site owner, and do not represent those of people, institutions, or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in a professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated.