About Flame Bearers

OUR MISSION (WHAT WE DO)

Flame Bearers is a global storytelling platform, illuminating the unsung stories of resilient women Olympians & Paralympians that inspire people to drive change for themselves, in their connections with others, and their communities.

OUR VISION (WHAT WE’RE BUILDING TOWARDS)

We envision a world where people feel more represented, empowered to show resolve as they face their future, and are enlightened about what the power of community can do.

Photo credit to Aaron Anderson Visuals

OUR VALUES (HOW WE ACT)

Curiosity:We want to know what drives people to be so resilient. It helps us understand the world better and reflect on our own challenges, viewpoints, and potential for resilience.
Trustworthiness: Our guests will never distress about how they’ll come across. We assure our audience that they’ll hear open, honest, and well-researched stories.
Fearlessness: We have a relentless desire to create energy around the stories and topics that we believe should be heard. Our spark can help the flame burn brighter.

OUR GOALS

CELEBRATE WOMEN ATHLETES

We celebrate the resilient women Olympians & Paralympians who are empowered to share their stories that deserve to be heard. Our inner flame drives us to be the spark that can help these stories burn brighter.

CRAFT A NEW NARRATIVE

Far too little sports media coverage goes to women, and women are often overshadowed by their male counterparts…this changes now! We are fearlessly driving positive change in the athletic community and beyond, to shine light on these incredible women athletes.

BUILD A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

We are a community driven by those curious about the same burning question – What ignites the fire inside the world’s most elite women athletes? We are building connections, and creating a space where women athletes feel valued and empowered to share their stories. Together, we can build a better future for the next generation of champions.

LEARNING & GROWING

We are always learning, and gaining new perspectives. These elite women athletes who are sharing their trials & triumphs inspire us, help us to understand the world better, and move us to tap into our own resilience.

WHO WE ARE

Jamie Mittelman’s passion for sport, diversity, and inclusion inspired her to found Flame Bearers while receiving her Masters in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School where she received an award for her significant impact on the Harvard community. And prior to Harvard, Jamie received her MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business.

Jamie launched Flame Bearers as a COVID-adaption of a dream communications position she had been pitching to the International Olympic Committee.

Initially, the Flame Bearers work was made possible with the support of the HKS Women and Public Policy Program and Harvard Innovation Lab. And since launch, countless individuals have joined the roster to help support the Flame Bearers brand in various manners. Each teammate has contributed hours of their time and energy to bring these incredible stories to life. Current teammates include Marissa Potter, Director of Brand & Partnerships, Ravi Ranjan Rao, Videographer, and Elizabeth Michael, Learning Design Coordinator.

Jamie’s work with Flame Bearers has reached 48 countries and recently received 4 Signal Awards in the categories of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Public Service & Activism.

Flame Bearers is the first global storytelling platform celebrating the stories of women Olympians and Paralympians. From household names to unsung heroes around the world, each featured story highlights the successes, struggles and social issues that drive the world’s most prestigious athletes. Flame Bearers brings these champions’ stories to life via podcast, video, and live events.

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About the Team

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Elizabeth Michael Learning Design Lead

Elizabeth is a professionally trained broadcast journalist passionate and curious about storytelling. She is a seasoned bibliomaniac and audiophile enthusiastic about women in sports and is dedicated to using her explorative storytelling style to voice out for them. Elizabeth believes that women are an integral part of society. This belief strengthens her commitment to Flame Bearers as she continues celebrating and creating more stories about women who achieve great things despite the odds. Her devotion extends beyond sports. She's also a tremendous African culture promoter who aims at elevating African voices and changing the narratives of how people see the black continent.

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Ravi Rao Videographer

Ravi is a professional freelance Video Editor and a storyteller. Driven by his passion for film editing and ads, Ravi currently pursues his Masters in film editing at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, India. Ravi is an everyday knowledge seeker who finds solace in sports. He’s a jolly fellow whose professionalism has gotten him into association with various similar minds worldwide, with whom he has continued to impact positively in their lives. Ravi's love for Flame Bearers extends from the beauty of the game and the story of each sports game. He always seeks exciting opportunities to discuss sports and is open to learning.

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Marissa Potter Director of Brands and Partnerships

Marissa believes in sports and that it connects us all, Marissa Potter has dedicated her life to sportsmanship and teamwork. She’s passionate about working in a team with people who, like her, are prompt and active in achieving any set objectives. With that in mind, she’s committed to helping and growing mission-driven companies with inclusion, sports, and health & wellness at their forefront. With over seven years in community engagement and brand building in the sports industry and partnerships with several Boston-based nonprofits, she has learned, developed, and improved critical skill sets that distinguish her, including supervision & team building. She graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a BA in Sociology and Boston University’s Questrom School of Business with an MBA in Business Administration & Management, General.

Jamie Mittelman Founder & Host

Jamie Mittelman is the founder and host of Flame Bearers, an award-winning podcast and the world's first storytelling platform specifically for women Olympians and Paralympians. Her background is in media, having managed a $30 Million media portfolio on behalf of the conglomerate of Yahoo, The Huffington Post, AOL, and Verizon. She founded Flame Bearers while receiving her Masters in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School where she received an award for her significant impact on the Harvard community. Jamie's work with Flame Bearers has reach in 48 countries and recently received 4 Signal Awards in the categories of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Public Service & Activism. Prior to Harvard, Jamie received her MBA from Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. She was a college athlete and is running her second marathon this spring, but when speaking with Flame Bearers athletes she dons her marketer and communication hat.