Pacers Director of Safety & Security Mariah Barber on career sacrifices, self-advocacy, and being yourself in the NBA
In this edition of When I Grow Up, we welcome back Mariah Barber, Director of Safety & Security at Pacers Sports & Entertainment. She gives us a candid look at the reality behind the glamour of working in professional sports. Ever wondered about the sacrifices required to build a career? How to find your voice in a corporate setting? Or what it takes to show up as your authentic self? Mariah’s journey sheds light on an unseen side of the industry and offers invaluable lessons on setting boundaries, navigating challenges as a woman of color, and the profound impact of a strong support system.
Last time we spoke, you mentioned sacrifices and work-life balance. What do you want to share with people who are early in their careers or just breaking into the industry on that front?
Mariah Barber: Sacrifices have really transformed during my career. Early on, my largest sacrifice was time. In the sports industry, like many others, it's very competitive, so younger talent is on a track to prove themselves and earn their stripes. You want to set yourself apart by being visible, being around, and doing the things that not everybody is willing to do.
It really hit home for me during my first season with the Pacers when I wasn't able to go home for Thanksgiving, something I'd never experienced before. Holidays were always a big deal with my family. Realizing that was a sacrifice I was choosing to make for my long-term career was an adjustment for me and my family. Thankfully, I have a great support system. They sent me a care package, and one of the ushers I managed invited me to his family's Thanksgiving. I have now attended their Thanksgiving for the past eight years. Christmas has now become my holiday. I'm grateful for the people who have stood in the balance and helped me feel whole while making those sacrifices.
Now, as I'm a little more seasoned, I can advocate for myself more when it comes to my life balance. I don't call it 'work-life balance' because they're not proportional in my head. My sacrifices look different. I have a niece who is the absolute center of my universe, and I don't get to see her as much as I'd like. My sacrifices now are more about working on projects that may not be in my focus area but will help the company move forward. They feel a lot more administrative than personal, which is an okay space to be in.
At what point did you notice that shift and feel you had permission to advocate for yourself more?
Mariah Barber: I would say during COVID. Our team, like so many others, navigated a workforce reduction, so duties still had to be fulfilled with fewer people. I was able to sit at a lot of leadership tables to support our reopening plan. Our industry was one of the first to close and one of the last to reopen, so I was able to showcase my skill set and prove my value during those times. That makes it easier to advocate. Having strong relationships with leaders and people across the company also helps you have more confidence when it comes to advocacy.
Thinking about your journey, were there opportunities to be your authentic self sooner? What would you tell a younger version of yourself is okay to do earlier?
Mariah Barber: Transparently, I think there may have been, but I was still trying to understand the rules of the new game I was playing. A lot of my growth has happened around showing up as a Black woman in the corporate space. Very early on, I didn't feel comfortable showing up as my full self at work.
As our company has grown and become much more diverse, it has helped me show up authentically. When I see other people navigating the space successfully while showcasing their identity, it inspires me. I love being a Black woman, and being able to carry that with me regardless of the space I'm in has been great. For my first headshot here, I made sure my hair was straightened to fit the "corporate mold." Now, I show up with my braids. It’s great being able to be me, 100 percent.
Trust in my team has also been critical. I vividly remember working with a tour security manager who was used to working with my manager—an older white male. The tour manager was often passive-aggressive, talking to everyone around me but not to me. Gratefully, my team redirected him back to me every single time. It got so bad that I spoke with my manager, who said, "He can leave our building right now if he's not able to work with you in a professional capacity." Our SVP at the time was in support of that. It made me realize that I was hired to do a job, they trust me to do it, and they will help remove obstacles.
If I could talk to my younger self, I’d just encourage her to trust the process. Your journey is different than those around you, and that's okay.
As a leader now, you see young people coming into the industry from underrepresented backgrounds. What patterns do you notice in the sacrifices they make or the ways they navigate the workplace?
Mariah Barber: Yes, two things really stand out. First, I think inherently we adopt a skill set for self-preservation. In some spaces, we tend to shrink ourselves to not seem too bold or take up too much space. But most times, those rooms need an outlier—somebody who is daring to think differently and offer a challenging perspective. That’s the only way an organization can grow. It is freaking scary to be that person, but I strongly encourage people to remain bold and remember they were hired because they were the best one for the job. You wouldn't be in that room if they didn't need you. Employment is transactional. As much as you need them, they need you.
Second is the power of a network. People often lean on their networks and leverage their social capital. I just wish more people that looked like us were willing to do the same thing. Sometimes we can be humble and modest to our own demise. You don't ever want to seem boastful, greedy, or needy, but oftentimes, your network wants you to win just as much as you do. So, tap into that resource and leverage it, because everybody else is.
Mariah Barber: You mentioned the importance of boldness. How can someone be bold without coming across as arrogant or stubborn, which is a common fear?
Mariah Barber: For me, boldness should always be coupled with introspection. You don't always need to be the first to speak, but if you have something to say, be confident in the delivery. Be mindful of your language—it's not what you say, it's how you say it. I often jot down notes before a meeting to organize my thoughts and ensure I’m using the platform wisely. It's also okay to take a moment and ask for a follow-up meeting or send a note afterward.
Also, be strategic. If you're always talking, people will eventually tune you out. But if you are strategic about when and how you deliver your message, they know that when you have the mic, it's because you have something of value that's going to propel the project forward.
We started this conversation focusing on sacrifice. Reflecting on your journey, how do you find balance and remember your why?
Mariah Barber: When we first talked, I was navigating a very busy schedule and feeling tired. The sacrifices were at the forefront of my mind. But after our recent finals run and having so many loved ones attend—for most of them, their first finals game—I was once again reminded of my why.
My dad came to two different games, and he just seemed so childlike, with so much joy. He couldn't stop talking about how proud he was, and he was telling everyone in his section that I was his daughter. My dad is my heart and soul. It’s in those moments I realize that with these sacrifices, I also get to provide core memories to the people that I love most.
So many people talk about how cool my job is. For someone attending a game, this is their best day. Gratefully, I've been blessed to live this for almost eight years now. There's such a balance when it comes to sacrifices. I acknowledge them, I identify them, and I learn how to cope with them. But by no means do they ever overshadow the blessing that it is to come and do this work, day after day.
Mariah doesn’t just talk about the power of a support system. That supportive energy was on full display during the Pacers' recent playoff run. Fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse created one of the toughest environments for visiting teams.
It’s a strong reminder that a successful career in sports is built on more than just glamorous moments. It’s forged through resilience, personal growth, and the people who support you along the way.
Mariah, thank you for your openness and for sharing your invaluable advice with our When I Grow Up community. We hope you have so many more unforgettable playoff runs in your future!
Have thoughts on any of this for Mariah? DM me. I’d love to share them with her the next time we chat.
