Hailey Ronconi creating lasting impacts

Interview Alba Pardo

Photos MacKenzie Hennessey

A conversation about her career in snowboarding and her mission to facilitate equality and inclusion for the new generation.

Fate or not, that night, I was running late, and I had to sprint into the room to secure one of the last free seats in the cinema. It was a big premiere night in Innsbruck, and nobody wanted to miss it. I spotted one empty chair, ran to it and after a reassuring nod, I plummeted down. That’s how I met Hailey, and it didn’t take me long to realize that I was sitting down next to a powerhouse of a woman with whom I had so many shared passions and interests. 

Hailey Ronconi has made her mark in the community blending her passion for the sport with her dedication to creating inclusive spaces for women and non-binary riders. From her early days riding as the only girl in her school’s snowboarding program to her current role as a Global Partnerships and Sponsorship Strategist at Burton, Hailey’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and community-building. 

In this interview, we dive into Hailey’s path from young snowboarder in New York’s Hudson Valley to co-founding Park Affair, an event series that empowers women and non-binary snowboarders. We also explore her advocacy for gender equality, her role at Burton, and how she balances a full-time career with her passion for advancing diversity in action sports. Hailey’s story is one of leadership and impact – both on and off the mountain.

Hailey, thank you so much for talking to us. I want to start by hearing about your story. Tell me who Hailey Ronconi is.

Well, I grew up in the Hudson Valley area of New York and started snowboarding when I was eight. My family was signing up for the ski and snowboard program at our elementary school. My dad and brother signed up for snowboarding, and I wanted to join them. However, all the girls in my class were skiing, so it took some convincing to get my parents to let me snowboard. In third grade, I finally got into the snowboard program, and I was the only girl snowboarding at my school. I fell in love with it and never looked back.

When I was 14, I started working at a local ski and snowboard shop called Ski Haus. That experience sparked my interest in making snowboarding a career… I went on to study at the University of Vermont (UVM), joined the snowboard team, and got involved in the local snowboarding culture. After college, I worked at Fuse Marketing for eight years, mostly with the Mountain Dew account, before joining Burton two years ago as a Partnerships and Sponsorships Strategist on the global brand team. During this time, I also co-founded Park Affair with Mercedes, which focuses on creating events and opportunities for women and non-binary riders in snowboarding.

That’s quite a journey! I want to go back to your college years. It seems like you started to focus on diversity, inclusion, and gender equality around that time. Can you tell me more about that?

Absolutely. I was heavily involved in academics, majoring in business and being part of the Honors College at UVM. For my thesis, I explored gender differences in snowboarding, specifically looking at how brands could help close the gender gap by encouraging more women to participate. I noticed that there were very few women competing in snowboarding at the time, and I wanted to understand how marketing could play a role in changing that. It was a great learning experience and, although the industry has evolved since then, I still see many opportunities for brands to foster diversity and inclusion.

You’re now in a prominent position at Burton, a company that’s been a leader in closing the gender gap in snowboarding. What do you think Burton, and the industry at large, are doing right, and where do you see room for improvement?

Burton has been very intentional about addressing diversity and inclusion, with an entire department dedicated to purpose and impact. They prioritize justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) values, which influence everything from product development to partnerships. I love that we’re not just talking about these issues but actively working on them. That being said, no company is perfect. I think there’s always room for improvement, especially in holding ourselves accountable and setting clear goals around diversity. I’d like to see more companies adopting this approach as it’s crucial for long-term progress.

Do you think action sports are ahead or behind other sports in terms of gender equality and diversity?

Ten years ago, I would have said that action sports were behind. But we’ve made significant progress. Women’s participation in skateboarding, especially with skateboarding becoming an Olympic sport, has brought a lot of attention to female athletes. Women’s snowboarding has also seen incredible growth, with the level of progression being truly remarkable. When you compare it to traditional sports like basketball or soccer, I’d say we are much closer to parity now. 

Have you ever felt like you had to prove yourself more in the action sports industry compared to your male counterparts?

Definitely, especially earlier in my career. There was this constant feeling – some of it self-inflicted, but a lot of it external – where I felt like I had to prove I had the knowledge or that I was “core” enough to belong. It felt like I had to demonstrate my expertise in a way my male colleagues didn’t. They weren’t expected to constantly show that they understood the industry at a deep level like I felt I had to.

Do you still feel that way now?

Not as much now, thankfully. I think the industry has evolved, and I’ve also gotten better at not letting those feelings of self-doubt creep in. But it’s definitely something I dealt with early on. It can still be tough when you step into new roles or projects. There’s always that nagging sense of needing to prove yourself all over again.

I can relate to that. Sometimes I feel this immense pressure to prove that we can do it, and do it well. Do you think there’s a higher standard we hold ourselves to, especially as women in these spaces?

Absolutely. I think there’s this feeling that whatever we put out has to be flawless because if it’s not, it could hurt our credibility. I’m not sure men face that same pressure in the same way. I mean, they might, but they don’t seem to talk about it as much. For women, especially in industries like action sports, it often feels like there’s no room for mistakes because we’re already working to prove we belong.

Do you think that pressure extends to being skilled on the board too?

For sure. Early in my career, I felt like I had to not only be good at my job but also prove that I was an excellent rider. But looking back, I realize you can be an expert in the industry and your field without being the best snowboarder. I can be great at my job, know the ins and outs of the sport, and still not be the top rider on the mountain – and that’s okay. But I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to excel in every aspect, which can feel unnecessary and exhausting.

I totally agree. Now, let’s dive into Park Affair. You and Mercedes have built something incredible. How did it all begin?

Mercedes and I met while working for a sales agency called White Flag, where we were both focused on Burton and other snow brands. Park Affair was born out of our shared experiences as some of the only women in the park. We wanted to create a safe space for women and non-binary riders to progress their skills without feeling intimidated. Our events provide a private park, and the focus is on community and progression. We’ve been running Park Affair since the winter of 2012-2013, and it’s evolved to include contests, mentorship programs, meetups, and even gear donations. It’s been incredible to watch it grow.

What has been your biggest takeaway from your time working there?

The biggest takeaway for me has been the stories we hear from attendees. Seeing people gain confidence on their boards and then apply that courage to their personal or professional lives is so rewarding. We’ve had participants who, after attending Park Affair, made big life changes like switching careers or starting their own businesses. It reminds me why we started this in the first place – it’s about empowerment and creating lasting impacts on people’s lives.

So, you have a full-time job at Burton and also run Park Affair. How do you manage it all?!

It’s definitely a balancing act! Mercedes and I have developed a good rhythm where we take turns leaning in based on who has more bandwidth at the time. We also focus on maintaining a work-life balance, making sure we take breaks when we need them. It’s not always easy, but having a great partner like Mercedes makes it possible.

What’s the long term plan for Park Affair?

That’s a great question. We recently revisited our strategic plan and set goals to ensure Park Affair can continue sustainably. We’re looking into ways to expand our financial support and bring in additional event managers to help with the workload. There’s still so much momentum and interest, both from our community and our resort partners, so for now, we’re full steam ahead.

Beyond snowboarding, what do you do to recharge?

I love mountain biking in the summer and spending time with my dog, Vince. He’s a big part of my life, and spending time with him helps keep me grounded. But more than anything, I value quality time with the people I care about – it’s really what keeps me centered.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career and hoping to turn their passion into a job?

My advice would be to get involved wherever you can. Whether it’s through volunteering, networking, or attending events, just putting yourself out there can lead to incredible opportunities. You never know who you’ll meet or what will come of it…