Global Sports Mentoring Program

Moroccan Athlete Using American Football to Effect Social Change and Inspire a Nation

Fouzia Madhouni has faced a number of challenges throughout her young life, but through her competitive drive and a surprising love for American football, she continues to tackle them head-on while aiming to be one of the greatest social entrepreneurs and athletes Morocco has ever seen. In 2020, while a management student at American University and an amateur football player, Fouzia was diagnosed with breast cancer. Determined not to let it define her, she used the diagnosis as motivation to ignite social change and empower women in her community. While undergoing chemotherapy treatments, she worked with the Egyptian Federation and the Philly Phantomz of the Women’s National Football Conference to organize the first-ever American Flag Football tournament in Africa. Two weeks after undergoing surgery, with the effects of chemo still disrupting her system, Fouzia bravely walked onto the football field and helped guide her team to the tournament championship. A few months later, she launched her NGO, We Can Morocco, as well as Africa’s first American Football Academy. Her projects empower girls and women to fully unlock their hidden potential through leadership courses and American football sessions while also engaging with men to discuss the role they play in advancing gender equality.

Fouzia’s work is helping to shift the cultural mindset regarding women’s position in Moroccan society. Traditional responsibilities in the home often limit women from pursuing other roles in the civic, political, and economic sectors. Although still in her associate year of university, Fouzia is resolved to initiate progressive change in her community.

Through her GSMP experience, Fouzia is looking forward to the opportunity to establish sustainable relationships with highly qualified people in the field. She hopes to learn how to develop more initiatives and programming for girls in Morocco and is committed to broadening her reach to the entire African continent.

Mentor Matches

Taryn Hutt, New York, NY

Vice President, Club Marketing, National Football League (NFL)

Taryn joined the NFL in July of 2019 leading a new team and function within the Marketing department that is centered around improving connectivity and execution across the 32 Clubs on League Marketing related initiatives, and in driving increased marketing performance and alignment with Clubs across the NFL ecosystem.

Taryn’s primary role is a strategic partner and liaison to the 32 Club Marketing Leads in providing insights on League marketing strategies and priorities, sharing best practices across the marketing mix and close collaboration in identifying local market support opportunities to drive key priorities.

In her time at the League, Taryn has made an impact in garnering Club support across a variety of League Marketing initiatives, in developing key committees to empower Clubs with local program support and in enhancing the efficacy of Marketing initiatives on a local market basis. Taryn and team will continue to expand the function as we approach the ’23 season in driving core Marketing strategies, partnerships and synergies across all 32 Clubs with a focus on League growth audiences and investment areas.