Lindsey Vonn has been on America’s sports radar for over a decade. But you should expect to see and hear a lot more from her. Since retiring from professional skiing in 2019, Vonn has played an active role in the business world as a highly-touted brand ambassador for such well-known brands as Head, Oakley and Beats By Dre.
Most recently Vonn has also gotten involved in the tech banking space as an investor and advisor, and has also begun roles in a handful of newer sports related ventures, such as UnderArmour’s Project Rock.
“I’m a down-hiller, and so I don’t get afraid of things,” said Vonn during an interview we did in early October 2021. She also said that risk is something that she always loved during her Alpine ski career. She adds that her love of risk and new opportunities transfers over well from sports to business. “I look at everything pragmatically, and for me I think being fearless bodes well, being in (the business) space,” Vonn adds
Vonn won her first and only Olympic gold medal during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. But she also has won a total of 82 gold medals in the FIS World Cup and other competitions, spanning just about every ski event or style there is.
Since retiring, she’s also become a sought-after speaker, featuring at such headline events as Summit L.A. in Downtown Los Angeles and C2 Montreal.
Style is part of Vonn’s brand
In working with sports equipment maker Head, Vonn has long been one of the brand’s top athletes. Outside her role promoting Head’s hardware—namely skis and other gear needed for the downhills or the slalom—Vonn also has taken up a design role within Head’ newest upmarket ski clothing line.
The HEAD Sportswear x Lindsey Vonn Legacy collection includes the ‘Legacy overalls’ inspired by the silhouette and style of the late Princess Diana, an avid skier.
There is also the Daisy Vest, a piece whose design includes a little dog-related flair. On the Daisy Vest the face print of Vonn’s dog Lucy is imprinted inside the vest. Vonn’s dogs often accompany her to sports events, and on campaigns such as this summer’s pre-Olympics Allianz Support Dog Squad program.
In Episode 24 of the podcast, I have a quick conversation with Lindsey Vonn, in which she talks about why she’s so pumped about her business career and her foundation. She also weighs in on risk and speaking at business conferences such as C2 and Summit L.A.
Read my most recent Forbes.com story on Lindsey Vonn here.
