Tanya Dreesen was named senior vice president of strategy and global affairs & chief of staff on Mar. 8, 2024. Dreesen brings her wealth of experience to strategically lead the expansion and enhancement of the brand equity of the Bears while also creating organizational efficiencies in the day-to-day operations of the franchise and with the stadium development project.
In this newly created role, Dreesen works closely with President & CEO Kevin Warren and the executive leadership team to positively direct and impact the strategic direction of the organization, navigating complex global landscapes and ensuring alignment between executive vision and operational objectives. With the NFL brand expanding globally and the Bears having access to the markets in the United Kingdom and Spain, Dreesen's expertise in global affairs is invaluable in maximizing the team's international commercial business and enhancing its global footprint.
Dreesen has a reputation of building relationships while also keeping commercial business at the forefront of every organization she has worked for, most recently with the Minnesota Vikings as vice president of partnership activation, events & special projects. At the Vikings, she spearheaded numerous initiatives including team and U.S. Bank Stadium presentations, community relations and sponsor activations while also playing a pivotal role in the development of U.S. Bank Stadium, overseeing its design, brand integration, art collection, and fan experiential destinations.
Dreesen led major projects such as the International Series games in London, the successful Super Bowl LIl bid, and the design and construction of the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Dreesen. Tanya has a history of excellence and a well-rounded understanding of multiple organizational operations with unique objectives that have all contributed significantly to her success in subsequent leadership positions.
Dreesen is originally from Toronto, Canada. She began her career as a member of the special projects and advertising teams at The Toronto Sun. At the Sun, she played a pivotal role in marketing and supporting the launch of the Toronto Raptors NBA team. Her success led to a director position at Canada's largest daily newspaper, The Toronto Star, where she spearheaded sponsorships for events, art, and sports partnerships, including the Toronto Blue Jays, across all media properties.
Dreesen would eventually venture to the United States, where she served as vice president of marketing and major accounts for the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. In this role, she activated Founding Partner roles for the Colorado Rockies and secured exclusive category sponsorships for the Denver Broncos, Colorado Wild and Denver Nuggets. Dreesen also led the major accounts advertising department for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, further solidifying her expertise in media and partnership activation.
