Former Canadian-Jamaican professional ice hockey player Chelsea Ziadie, well-known for being part of a famous sporting family, has embarked on a new journey with corporate powerhouse Google.
Recently promoted to the role of Senior Account Manager within Google Customer Solutions, Ziadie brings her unique blend of athleticism and business acumen to the forefront.
Hailing from Canada and a graduate of Harvard University, Ziadie attributes much of her success in the corporate world to the disciplined rigor cultivated during her time as a professional athlete, as well as the discipline passed down from her parents: Jamaican footballers Debbie Doyle Ziadie and the late Christopher Ziadie.
This background has equipped her with the tenacity and focus needed to excel in her current role.
In her capacity as Senior Account Manager, Ziadie focuses on devising and implementing business strategies for nearly 60 small to medium-sized Google business accounts. Her specialization lies in driving growth within the retail and commerce sectors, where she leverages her expertise to deliver impactful results.
Beyond her core responsibilities, Ziadie also serves as a Sales Inclusion Taskforce Ambassador and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pillar Lead, championing initiatives to foster an inclusive and supportive workplace environment at Google.
“Working at Google has been an incredible opportunity to collaborate with truly creative thinkers and growth oriented individuals,” she says. “One area that I will continue to focus on while here is the blending of my finance background with my new experience in tech, which I hope will ultimately lead to my working on the Google Growth fund.”
Prior to joining Google in 2021, Ziadie held a position at Morgan Stanley as a Financial and Wealth Advisor Associate, where she managed accounts valued at several million dollars, further solidifying her credentials in the financial sector.
A family of sports stars
A career in professional sports, even if only temporarily, seemed almost predestined for Ziadie, given her rich family legacy in athletics.
Born to former Jamaican soccer players Debbie Doyle Ziadie and the late Christopher Ziadie, Ziadie’s upbringing was steeped in sports culture. Her father Christopher, who earned six caps for the Jamaica national team, transitioned into coaching following his playing career, serving as assistant coach for the Jamaica under-20 team and holding coaching positions at Real Mona and Waterhouse. He died of lung cancer in 2022.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBBIE DOYLE ZIADIE
Ziadie’s family tree boasts a lineage of soccer talent, with her uncles Nicholas and Craig Ziadie, as well as her late grandfather Dennis Ziadie, all representing Jamaica at the national level. Dennis Ziadie’s soccer journey even took him to the North American Soccer League (NASL), where he played for the Boston Beacons in 1968. Tragically, Dennis and coach Winthorpe “Jackie” Bell lost their lives in a car accident during the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico. Florida’s True Blue Weekend & Ziadie Cup is held to honor his memory.
Notably, Ziadie’s older brother Ryan also dabbled in a professional sports career, briefly pursuing ice hockey at the pro level.
Read more: Late Chris Ziadie played with distinction, says JFF
Sports breeds professional discipline
Chelsea’s recent professional milestone marks a significant departure from her days as a rising star in the dynamic realm of women’s ice hockey, a sport she dedicated herself to until stepping away four years ago.
However, according to Ziadie, “There’s no doubt in my mind that my ability to transfer many of the skills that I employed in my sport- leadership, tenacity, team building and empathy- assisted me in making the transition from the locker room to the boardroom. In many ways, being part of a professional sports team is the same as being part of a business organization- everyone has a role to play in helping the team to win.”
Having spent her formative years in Jamaica before relocating with her mother and brother to Montreal, Ziadie immersed herself in both soccer and ice hockey. Her journey led her to the esteemed Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, where she excelled in both sports and track and field.
As a teenager, she proudly represented Team Quebec and Team Canada Under 18 Women’s Hockey, clinching a bronze medal at the Canada Winter Games in 2011. Her pursuit of excellence continued at Harvard University, where she not only contributed to the Varsity Ice Hockey team but also attained the distinction of Ivy League Champion. Throughout her collegiate tenure, she garnered numerous accolades, including the coveted 2018 MVP Award, all while pursuing a BA Degree in Sociology and Economics.
In 2018, fresh from Harvard, Chelsea Ziadie inked her inaugural professional ice hockey contract with the Metropolitan Riveters in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) and Professional Women’s Hockey Player Association (PWHPA). Juggling her burgeoning ice hockey career with her role at Morgan Stanley proved demanding yet enriching, offering invaluable lessons in multitasking.
Recalling her rigorous schedule, which often commenced with pre-dawn practices in New Jersey before a full day’s work in Manhattan, Ziadie credits her success in balancing both pursuits to her unwavering discipline and adept time management skills – qualities that continue to underpin her achievements today.
“I would routinely wake up at 4 A.M. and leave my Manhattan apartment to travel to New Jersey for my 6:30 A.M. practice,” she recalls. “And then return to the city to start my full day of work as a financial professional in the corporate world. My ability to balance both professions was due entirely to my discipline and time management skills, which continue to serve me very well today.”
Read more about the Ziadie Cup from CNW.
Retirement from hockey
After two years in the league, Ziadie made the decision to retire from professional ice hockey when the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a career spanning over two decades, she felt that amidst the uncertainty, it was time to bid farewell to the sport she had dedicated herself to.
However, she finds solace in witnessing the positive changes that have unfolded within the sport since her retirement.
Expressing gratitude for the profound influence of professional sports on both her personal and professional journey, Ziadie credits her parents as her greatest role models.
“My parents have always been my greatest role models and I saw firsthand how they applied the lessons they learnt as sporting professionals to the careers they undertook afterwards. They were my biggest motivators as I pursued my own athletic endeavors. My mom is still my number one cheerleader and although my dad passed away in late 2022, I still feel his presence encouraging me constantly, urging me to stay focused and to go for my goals.”
Looking ahead, Chelsea Ziadie channels her lifelong commitment to excellence into her new role at Google, embracing the opportunity to contribute her talents and drive to the corporate arena.
