Renee Montgomery Talks 'Access and Opportunities' for AT&T's 'She's Connected'

"Sometimes you don't feel like any place is your right place," says former WNBA star, broadcaster and entrepreneur Renee Montgomery in the latest installment of "She's Connected by AT&T."

She adds: "When you think about access and the amount of opportunities young girls may get as opposed to young boys, there's a dramatic difference," Montgomery says.

Launched in 2020, "She's Connected" spotlights and supports female athletes seeking success with startups and nonprofits. Through the initiative, AT&T provides tablets, phones, services and support to female-run companies, including Renee Montgomery Enterprises.

In a new four-minute film, Renee explains how gaining access to mentors can make a world of different for women just starting out in a business landscape still dominated by men. She visits at Turner Studios in Atlanta with three young people—Emani Gonzalez, Daria Dozier and Morgan Symone, all recent college grads pursuing media careers.

Renee's a powerful role model for this trio and countless up-and-comers. In addition to guiding RME, she hosts Montgomery & Co., a weekly sports and culture podcast, with her mother Bertlela, sister Nicole and wife Sirena. She also holds a stake in the Atlanta Dream—making her the first WNBA player to become an owner and executive of a franchise.

"I have so much respect for her because she uses her platform to uplift and encourage other women," says Gonzalez.

After chatting with the three young women about their aspirations, Montgomery offers a sweet surprise: internships and mentoring within RME.

"Renee was so inspiring, motivating and intentional with her words," says Symone. "She would be a perfect mentor for us all."

Sabina Ahmed, AT&T's AVP, sponsorships and experiential marketing, believes that Montgomery's passion, willingness to give and trailblazer status make her a great addition to the "She's Connected" team.

"AT&T approached Renee because she fits perfectly with what we are trying to celebrate and support," Ahmed says. "We saw this as an opportunity to not only share her story, but also provide her with direct support for her small business."

Marketing agency Wasserman, production house Playmaker and director Shirley Williams helped create the film, which dropped last week.

“Filming Renee in Turner Studios, where she works as a broadcast journalist, was super dope. I loved being fully immersed in her world!" Williams recalls. "The energy, love and excitement she brought to her group mentorship with the young women was unmatched. She really inspired these young ladies and made them feel like anything was possible. Surprising them with an internship just took them over the top! Being a storyteller that gets to impact people's lives beyond the screen is the real glory in doing this work."

Here's a minute-long edit:

In addition to AT&T channels, "She's Connected" runs across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube—plus Bleacher Report and Just Women's Sports. It represents one of the leading brand programs designed to address the disparities between men and women in sports and the workplace, mixing media outreach to drive awareness with technology assistance for firms and founders.

Though athletes are its primary focus, "She's Connected" recently profiled Marin Alsop, a pioneering conductor for major symphony orchestras:

"That was our first time stepping into the entertainment/music world for 'She's Connected,' " Ahmed says. "AT&T provided funds for Marin's fellowship to enhance their own mentorship program. This will allow them to mentor 30 additional women conductors and create a mentoring model for the future. In addition, AT&T provided an array of products and services to Marin's mentee, Alexandra Arrieche and her Conductor Camp within the Henderson Symphony Orchestra."

"This iteration of 'She's Connected' is really about women who have broken their own respective glass-ceiling and paving the way for the next generation in hopes of showing them what is possible."  

Past series entries feature Becky Hammon, Chiney Ogwumike, Sue Bird, Maria Fassi and Alex Morgan:

CREDITS

"She's Connected with Renee Montgomery"

Playmaker
Executive Producer: Shawn Rubin
Director: Shirley Williams
Line Producer: Janette Lynott
Senior Post Producer: Manny Muñoz
Creative Strategist: Lauren Porter
Senior Creative Strategist: Victoria Chiang
Senior Project Manager: Whitney Loehr
Production Manager: Edrei Hutson
WMS Production Coordinator: Kai Yost
Director of Photography: Jonny Kapps
B - Camera: Brad Crosby
Steadicam Op: Brian Hall
1st Assistant Camera: Carol Baldwin
2nd Assistant Camera: Dan Rankin
Gaffer: Thomas Branch
Key Grip: Keith Washington
Lighting Assistant: Kevin Holden
Stagehand: Roy Meilich
Teleprompter: Traneice Shelborne
Makeup: Kimberly Acevedo
Wardrobe Stylist: Sirena Grace
Sound Engineer: Gerald Henderson
Technical Director: Brad Roberts
Production Assistant: Giovanni Tortorici
Production Assistant: Thomas Quand
Associate Post Producer: Yemi Abayomi
Editor: Terrence Williams
Motion Graphics: David Hall
Sound Mixer: Sam Seeger
Colorist: Ben Federman

AT&T 
AVP, Sponsorships and Experiential Marketing: Sabina Ahmed 
Director, Sponsorships & Experiential Marketing: Bill Moseley 
Director, Sponsorships & Experiential Marketing: Andrea Wilson 
Sr. Manager, Marketing: Deborah Buentello 
Corporate Communications & Sponsorships: Rhiannon Richards 
Corporate Communications & Publicity Strategy: Alyssa McGovern 
Lead Public Relations Manager: Dominique DiPietro 
Social Media, Sr. Strategy Manager: Rachel Jenkins 
Sr. Brand Marketing Manager: Shelby Bessellieu 
Social Media Manager: Jimmy Rice: 

Wasserman 
Senior Director, Brands: Thelma Hughes 
Senior Director, Brands: Erin Littrell
Associate Director, Brands: Alyssa Little 
Senior Manager, Brands: Hillary Wyse 
Associate Manager, Brands: Amelia Noble 
Associate Manager, Brands: Grace Halpern