Anna McDonald believes there is a gap in the ecosystem that serves and works with athletes, entertainers, and authors, a place that all parties involved can’t fill. The “gap” can’t be filled by wealth management, contract negotiation, marketing, endorsements, elite training and coaching, or even an accountant or lawyer; stress creeps up when least expected and concerns the details of day-to-day life.
This journey of helping athletes started in 2012 for Anna when she was sitting in the dugout at Busch Stadium working on an article for ESPN. There was a small beam of light filtering in underneath the roof of the dugout, it felt 1000 degrees close to the field, and the dugout fan (trying its best to cool everyone, and failing) was so loud it was hard to hear conversations. As she waited in the sweltering heat for her interview with the manager, an elite reliever hopped up on the bench and they began to talk about life in the big leagues, the ups and downs and the changes he saw over the years. The conversation was a bright spot on a slow afternoon in baseball. Talking about life, he said something that she had never realized before, “Anna, it’s really stressful being out there on the mound and a random thought comes through – like, was my electric paid this month? Or, I don’t know if I finished all the documents I needed to sign, things like that.”
Now, Anna’s goal is simple: to take day-to-day stresses out of her client’s life so that they can focus on what they are truly passionate about and be able to compete, earn and develop at the highest level possible. Anna believes a well-managed life allows for a clearer mind and enhanced focus, directly contributing to success and a life well-lived.
Trust is at the core of our management. With over 15 years of experience working with athletes, Anna creates a pathway where her clients can focus on what they love, without the stress of things falling through the “gap”.
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Anna spent six years as an ESPN reporter, covering Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Her work has also appeared in esteemed news publications such as the New York Times, FOX Sports, and USA Today. Anna also worked as a consultant for the NFL’s Youth Health and Safety Committee, where she met in person with NFL executives to offer insight into health and safety concerns and how to communicate with parents.
After her time at ESPN, Anna worked at Moneta, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with $40 billion in Assets Under Management. She supported athletes in all aspects of their financial lives, preparing them for sustained success beyond their athletic careers. In her 7 years with Moneta, along with her team and lead partner, she helped create an athlete practice that operated as a close family. Coming alongside athletes in every aspect of their lives, Anna and her team was there for the good, the bad, the hard conversations, and the wins. Anna has always been fiercely protective of her athletes and loves seeing them succeed.
Anna McDonald Management and Media 