From the hallowed sidelines of the Philadelphia Eagles to the digital frontier of sports media, Ashley Braband‘s career trajectory reads like a meticulously crafted highlight reel. But it’s her latest act—building the people and culture experience at Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions—that’s truly defining her legacy.
“My journey began in the trenches,” Braband recalls, referencing her college internship with the Eagles. “It was a baptism by fire into the world of sports, and it ignited a passion that’s driven my entire career.”
That passion propelled her to ESPN in 2007, where she immersed herself in the multifaceted world of content production. “I did it all,” she explains, “from running prompter to producing SportsCenter highlights. Those early years were invaluable, a masterclass in the art of storytelling.”
Over 13 transformative years at ESPN, Braband ascended through the ranks, mastering every facet of content creation. “Developing new shows, producing for TV, digital, social, audio, and branded—it was a constant evolution,” she says. Culminating in her role as Executive Producer and showrunner for “Always Late with Katie Nolan,” she proved her ability to innovate and lead.
A brief but impactful stint at Just Women’s Sports provided a crucial pivot. “It was my first taste of the startup world and a phenomenal learning experience,” Braband reveals.
That experience proved pivotal when she joined Omaha Productions as its first full-time employee. Initially tasked with development and content strategy, Braband’s role quickly expanded. Now, as Head of People & Culture, Braband is applying her diverse skillset to build the very foundation of Omaha Productions.
“It’s about creating a space where creativity thrives, where people feel valued, and where we can truly embody the spirit of collaboration,” she explains. “My production experience taught me the importance of team dynamics, communication, and adaptability—all crucial elements in building a strong, cohesive culture.”
Braband’s playbook is clear: build a culture as compelling as the content. “We’re not just creating shows,” she emphasizes. “We’re creating a legacy. And that starts with the people.”
In our latest Faces, meet Ashley Braband.
Who is/was your biggest influence in the industry?
I feel so lucky to say that I am currently working for my mentor, Jamie Horowitz. I met Jamie at ESPN when I was 24 years old and running the teleprompter on a show he had developed called SportsNation. I watched him, from the literal shadows, lead a team where everyone’s voice was heard, and every person was treated with respect. I had recently come from Wharton undergrad where things were cutthroat, and the PA program at ESPN was incredibly competitive, so to see firsthand that you could still achieve success while being kind and inclusive was an eye-opening experience.
I fought to be part of his team and had the opportunity to learn from Jamie directly for several years. But even when we were at different companies, he still was a huge presence in my life that I could turn to for advice at any time. When presented with the chance to work for him again at Omaha, I could not have agreed faster. His model of leading with kindness has now expanded from a small show staff to cover an entire organization, largely because Peyton and Jamie see the world the same way. At Omaha we prioritize our people, partners, and relationships above all else. Even our mission, to create content that uplifts and unifies, speaks to Peyton’s primary goal – of bringing people together. I am incredibly grateful to be part of this company – and working with Jamie again!
Where do you see the industry heading in five years? Or are you seeing any current trends?
I think the HR industry is adapting to the broader workplace trends we’re all seeing. Everyone’s talking about AI and how it will change the way we work. And HR is no different – I’m seeing AI involved in recruitment efforts, for example, and I’m curious to see if and how its influence will expand. I also think we’re seeing more employers prioritize employee well-being and mental health, especially following the pandemic and legacy of remote work and flexible work schedules. Which I am fully on board for! Finding ways to keep our employees happy and making sure they feel appreciated allows us to retain the top talent that we spent so long trying to find.
What are you most proud of?
I like solving problems. Whenever something tricky is put in front of me, I can’t let it go until I figure out a solution. But even better than solving problems is preventing problems. And I think what I’m most proud of is getting ahead of issues at Omaha. Being part of a brand new company meant that I got to weigh in on our approach to pretty much everything. And I thought a lot about the things that caused me stress when I was young and coming up in the industry, and I tried to eliminate those worries for our employees. For example, back in the day I had to scramble and switch shifts with colleagues so I could take two weeks off for my wedding/honeymoon; at Omaha we have unlimited PTO.
In my 20s, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that required multiple surgeries, and it took me over a year to pay back my medical bills; at Omaha we offer four different medical plans that cost $0/month for employees. When I had my first child, my mother-in-law had to come stay at our house to help me because my husband only got a few days of paternity leave; at Omaha we offer 15 weeks fully paid leave to anyone with a new baby. These are just a few examples, but generally our approach is to try and make sure our employees are taken care of as much as possible. I’m proud of the wellness package that we’ve put together, and very grateful that Peyton and Jamie are both fully behind the mission to make sure our employees have happy lives!
Do you have any advice for people entering the profession?
Working in HR often feels like you’re being pulled in a million different directions, juggling the needs of current employees, navigating hiring processes, strategizing about the future of the company, and handling anything else that’s thrown our way. It often requires a deep level of thoughtfulness that can be tough to manage when you’re also incredibly busy.
Though challenging, I find working in a people-centered role to be extremely rewarding. You can absolutely see firsthand when you’re making a personal impact – something I missed in my previous roles on the production side. HR professionals are often directly responsible for molding the culture of the company, and that’s not something that should be taken lightly. It can make all the difference in the world for your team. I find it truly exciting to have such a hand in making people feel comfortable and happy at work. For those starting out, I’d advise that although the job is not always easy, it’s always worthwhile.