Worcester Business Journal

STEPPING up to the plate Brooke Cooper's climb through the WooSox depth chart has made her the first women general manager in franchise history PHOTOS | MATT WRIGHT BY ERIC CASEY WBJ Managing Editor B rooke Cooper took a baseball bat to the proverbial glass ceiling in March, when she was named general manager and executive vice president of the Worcester Red Sox, becoming the first woman GM at any level in Red Sox franchise history in the process. Rapidly climbing up the depth chart of then-Pawtucket Red Sox since first joining the club as an intern in 2015, Cooper's emotional intelligence and communication skills had made her a great fit for the role, ac- cording to other top WooSox leadership. Cooper's time with the ballclub has le an impression on employees who have been with the franchise for decades. "About 12 years ago, Brooke applied for an internship with the Pawtucket Red Sox. We receive more than 500 applicants for about a dozen internship positions each season, and Brooke did not get a spot that year," said Bill Wanless, WooSox vice president, communications, who has been with the franchise for 40 years. "e next year Brooke applied again, and I remember telling some of our people that we should absolutely hire her. She had been the captain of her high school soccer and basketball teams and led both teams to back-to-back state championships. Brooke was a winner then, and she's been a winner ever since." Little league to minor leagues A lifelong resident of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Cooper's passion for sports began at a young age. She had an early interest in baseball, despite the fact her local youth league wasn't used to accommodating female players. "I found my little league certificate, and you could tell that there weren't many girls in the league," she said, "It said 'We commend Brooke on his ac- complishment.'" Her attention later shied more toward basketball and soccer. Following high school, she attended Franklin Pierce University in New Hamp- shire, where she was a member of the basketball team. Aer her undergraduate studies, Cooper received her MBA from Providence College. She had a strong desire to work in the nonprofit sector, driven by the idea of opening a community center in her hometown. But first, her MBA studies required a business internship. When her first application for an internship with the PawSox resulted in rejection, Cooper was undeterred. "e competitor in me was like 'You know what? ey rejected me the first time, and I'm gonna get it this time.'" Cooper said. "I applied again and was much more assertive, much more confi- dent the second time around." Aer her second application with the PawSox was successful, she ended up as a merchandise intern. Cooper's desk was isolated near the team pro shop at Mc- Coy Stadium, away from the rest of the front office staff. Still, she found a way to leave an impression on members of the team's leadership. "You can either call it a baseball wonderland of merchandise or soli- tary confinement," WooSox President Charles Steinberg said of Brooke's initial workstation. "Both would be true. She wasn't able to interact that much, but she was able to interact enough that fellow colleagues had this great respect for her." Her time as intern made her realize the social impact of the ballclub could meet her desires to have an impact in the community. WooSox President Charles Steinberg F O C U S W O M E N I N L E A D E R S H I P 12 Worcester Business Journal | February 10, 2025 | wbjournal.com Brooke Cooper General manager and executive vice president Worcester Red Sox Founded: 1970 (as the Pawtucket Red Sox) Employees: 50 full time, 300 part time Her age: 32 Hometown: Woonsocket, Rhode Island Residence: Woonsocket, Rhode Island Education: Bachelor's degree in sports and recreation management from Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, MBA from Providence College

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