Writing A New Playbook with Lindsay Verstegen

Denise Ilitch show

“Don’t Dull What Makes You Special.” Lindsay Verstegen

Denise talks to Lindsay Verstegen, Senior VP and Chief Diversity Officer for the Detroit Lions. Prior to joining the world of sports, Lindsay worked in corporate America, scaling companies like ShopRunner, one of the toughest situations she faced professionally at a time when so many businesses were suffering during the pandemic. The experience taught her to muster the courage to show up and write the playbook on the unprecedented.

Lindsay during the time when she doubts herself, she’s learned to show herself compassion, and accept that she CAN do. At times she assembles her own personal knights around the table, so to speak, to get advice from those both inside and outsider her immediate circle. She values being authentic because she says it allows others to come of out of their shell.

So, what would she say to her younger self? “Trust the universe my friend. Do the work and it’ll pay off.”

***

Lindsay Verstegen is Chief People and Diversity Officer for the Detroit Lions where she leads the quest to build an open, equitable and transparent organization. Prior to working for the NFL, Lindsay worked for over a decade helping to scale organizations and build winning cultures at Groupon, Braintree, Venmo and ShopRunner. In February of 2021, she was recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Leaders in HR. She is also a speaker and guest lectures at the Chicago Booth School of Business and the Kellogg School of Management. She holds a BFA in musical theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. After 18 years in Chicago Lindsay now lives with her family in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Denise Ilitch, an owner of Ilitch Family Companies and President of Ilitch Enterprises, has been a part of Detroit’s business and philanthropic community for over 40 years. As a mother, lawyer, entrepreneur, devoted community servant and tireless advocate for women and children, she learned early, from her father, that everyone is worthy of contributing to the world. Her passion for affordable, accessible, quality education stems from her own experience as a first-generation student, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where she currently serves on the Board of Regents, and a law degree from the University of Detroit Law School.

FOLLOW DENISE @thedeniseilitchshow

TO LEARN MORE about all our inspiring podcasts visit https://www.lifestough.com/.