Mimmi Balaam grew up competing on the tracks and cross-country courses of Geelong, Australia. She never imagined sport would carry her 15,500 kilometers to Coral Gables. Today, as Executive Director of the Junior Orange Bowl, she applies the lessons she earned at the University of Miami's School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) to create transformative opportunities for the next generation.
"What began as an opportunity to compete and earn a world-class education became a five-year experience that completely shaped who I am," said Balaam.
Balaam joined the UM Women's Rowing Team in 2019, competing alongside roughly 60 women from more than 10 countries. The demands of 4:30 a.m. practices, academic balancing acts and cross-country travel reinforced values she carries into her leadership today.
"Being a Division I student-athlete taught me discipline, resilience and, above all, the importance of being part of something bigger than yourself," said Balaam.
Her academic path at SEHD deepened that foundation. Through both her undergraduate and graduate sport administration programs, she came to see sports organizations as people-centered institutions first. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration in 2023 and a Master of Science in Sport Administration in 2024, and in 2025 she served as keynote speaker at UM's Celebration of Women's Athletics.
"Mimmi distinguished herself from her peers through her professionalism, maturity, and commitment to excellence. From my first interactions with her, it was clear that she had the drive and leadership skills to succeed in the sport industry. She represents the very best of what we hope our students become, and her rapid ascent to Executive Director of the Junior Orange Bowl is a testament to her talent, work ethic, and dedication," said Paul Resnick Distinguished Senior Lecturer & Internship Director of Sport Administration Program.
SEHD Dean Laura Kohn-Wood sees Balaam as a model for current students. "[Balaam] is showing what is possible and giving inspiration to current students, undergraduates and master's," said Kohn-Wood.
At the Junior Orange Bowl, Balaam oversees programming that welcomes young people from more than 76 countries across athletics, academics, the arts and community events. She credits the diverse perspectives she encountered throughout her master's program by preparing her for that scope of work.
"Sport gave me opportunities I could never have imagined as a young girl growing up in Australia," said Balaam. "Through the Junior Orange Bowl, I want young people to have their own version of that experience."
For Balaam, success extends well beyond results. She believes sport's most lasting lessons have little to do with winning, and everything to do with who a young person becomes in the process.
"Having benefited so greatly from those opportunities myself, it is incredibly meaningful to now help provide them for the next generation," said Balaam.
