This summer, I’ve been doing double duty, and loving every minute of it.

While continuing the exciting Transition and Activation work at Yellow Brick, I “kicked” off my weekends as an official FIFA Host City Ambassador for Dallas. The role? Welcome the world and show them what Dallas is made of.

And the world has absolutely shown up.

In just one weekend, I connected with supporters from Scotland, the United States, Brazil, Japan, the Netherlands, and beyond, all united by the beautiful game. As a lifelong soccer supporter, I was psyched about every single match.

What surprised me most was how often I found myself drawing parallels between my weekend role and the work we do every day at Yellow Brick.

Whether you’re preparing a hospital for opening day or welcoming thousands of visitors from around the globe, success depends on thoughtful planning, clear communication, and creating confidence during moments of transition. In both worlds, the goal is the same: help people navigate something new while making them feel informed, supported, and ready for what’s next.

Transition and Activation planning is, at its core, about communication, clear, timely, and tailored to your audience. As a Host City Ambassador, that principle came to life on a global scale as we delivered information, guidance, and support to visitors speaking different languages and coming from vastly different backgrounds, all while keeping the experience seamless and enjoyable.

The beautiful game has always taught us that teamwork, resilience, navigating disagreements, and embracing the highs and lows are what make victory meaningful. Those same lessons show up every day in project management and activation work.

• Cross-cultural communication? Check.
• Managing competing perspectives while keeping everyone moving toward the same goal? Absolutely.
• Preparing people for a major event and helping them navigate change with confidence? That’s Activation.
• High-volume, fast-moving environments where plans must adapt in real time? Just another Tuesday in Transition work.

One of the most special parts? I didn’t have to enjoy it alone.

My husband and I both participated, he as a FIFA Media Specialist and me as a Host City Ambassador. Two different roles, one shared love for the beautiful game. Coming home each weekend buzzing with stories, comparing experiences, and reliving the best moments together made everything even more meaningful.

The World Cup doesn’t just bring soccer, it brings humanity together. It reminds us that regardless of language, culture, or background, people can unite around a common purpose and create something extraordinary.

That’s a lesson that applies just as much to world-class events as it does to the healthcare organizations we support at Yellow Brick.

And I’m grateful to have had a front-row seat to both this summer.