Employee Spotlight — Margo Allen Malone
Reflection allows us to see what’s behind us while focusing on the road ahead.
My name is Margo Allen Malone and I’ve worked for the San Francisco Giants since Oracle Park opened in 2000. I’m entering my 23rd season with the team serving as Senior Manager of Season Ticket Memberships and Special Projects. That’s a long title that doesn’t fully encompass the many hats I wear. During the offseason my days are spent leading a small team of client relations managers, generating revenue through season ticket renewals, planning client events and reconciling payments. Once the first pitch is thrown on Opening Day, gears shift into overdrive and my focus turns to building relationships with clients, providing technical support, hosting events, troubleshooting gameday issues, and serving as a liaison to members of the military.
But how did I land here, as a woman, in an industry that is historically dominated by men? Quite by accident, but with intention. A temporary assignment in Corporate Communications with Blockbuster Entertainment morphed into a full-time role when CEO H. Wayne Huizenga was awarded the Florida Marlins Franchise in 1991. A journalist at heart, I was able to utilize my love of photography and writing to excel as the team’s Archivist and eventually moved into the Media Relations department.
Thirty years later I now realize that being one of few women in a Major League Baseball clubhouse at the time, whether as a member of the PR staff or media, was groundbreaking. But my journey was guided by mentors in the Marlins organization, including GM Dave Dombrowski, CFO Jonathan Mariner and Director of Scouting Gary Hughes, who all offered encouragement in my career. It gave me confidence to overcome the challenges of not being seen nor having my voice heard as a Black woman.
When the Giants Front Office created a much-needed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council in 2018, I raised my hand to be included on the 12-person Steering Committee. Over the past two years the DE&I Council’s work intensified as our nation came to grips with the need to address racial disparities in all facets of society. My hope is that those who are underrepresented in the boardrooms will soon find a place at the table. With the hiring of my Front Office colleague, Alyssa Nakken, as the first female coach in MLB two years ago, doors are opening. I’m proud of Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi and Manager Gabe Kapler for not being afraid to take this important first step.
I suppose that many would measure the success of a career in sports by the number of rings in their jewelry box. The four World Series Championship rings that sit in mine are an incredible accomplishment by any standard. But in the end I’ll take the most pride in knowing that I made a difference by opening doors for others who look like me. Women. People of Color. As a member of the Giants Black Excellence Employee Resource Group, our mission is to “build equity and inclusiveness to change the trajectory of diversity within the Giants organization”. And that, my friends, will be my legacy.
