I was an English major in college. Whenever I tell people my major, I would inevitably get the same response nine times out of 10. “Oh, so, you’re going to be a teacher?” But my fellow English majors and I found that our bachelor’s and master’s degrees opened up many career possibilities. And students after us took inspiration.

Similarly, anyone who is working ticketing and live events who feels they can only work in this field can take inspiration from Miranda Gamez. She says, “I am a strategic leader with over two decades of experience in entertainment and ticketing, but I am now driving innovation in fintech as part of Onbe’s product team.”

Her career before Onbe spanned venue operations, client engagement and product strategy, always with a focus on operational excellence and audience experience. And she hasn’t said farewell entirely. She proudly states, “I currently serve as co-chair of the INTIX Mentor Committee, where I’m passionate about empowering the next generation of women in ticketing and live events.”

Looking Back

Gamez says she began her career in ticketing “on the front lines, working in a contact center and eventually Director of Ticketing for a major AEG-operated theatre in Texas.” From there, she transitioned into a corporate role as a Product Manager for secure payments at AEG where she focused on building tools that supported both internal teams and guest experiences.

That progression from guest services to product strategy gave her not only a 360-degree view of the business, but also a deep appreciation for how ticketing touches every part of an organization. She says, “The skills I developed in ticketing, strategic planning, customer empathy, cross-functional collaboration and operational agility have been incredibly transferable to my current work in fintech.”

What does she miss? “Hands down, the people!” she replies. “Ticketing professionals are some of the most resourceful, passionate and generous folks I’ve ever worked with. Whether it’s solving a last-minute issue or celebrating a sold-out show, the camaraderie and shared purpose make the work deeply rewarding.”

Of course, there are things about the ticketing biz that she is glad are presently in her rearview mirror. She calls ticketing as being “often the front line, the first point of contact and the last to leave. It touches every department, and when ticketing fails, the whole operation feels it. Yet, it’s not always given the respect or visibility it deserves. Advocating for ticketing as a strategic function, not just a transactional one, [was] both a challenge and a mission.”

Empowering That Next Generation

But Gamez noted earlier that she remains privileged to still have some influence in empowering the next generation of ticketing professionals, especially young women. As co-chair of the INTIX Mentor Committee, she urges young women new in the ticketing and live event space to “own your voice and your perspective. You bring something unique to the table, and the industry needs it. Build relationships, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and your team. Also, find mentors and be one when you can. Community is everything.”

She also loves to impart some advice that was given to her earlier in her career to anyone who will listen: “’Don’t wait to be invited, show up with value.’ That advice helped me take initiative, speak up, and build trust across departments. It’s shaped how I mentor others and how I approach leadership today.”

And if you are really fortunate, Gamez says you will have years in a career that will give you many fun and positive memories and rewarding experiences. “My favorite moments were always at the end of the night,” she recalls. “I’d walk into the venue and see the crowd completely immersed, singing, dancing and smiling. Everyone was on the same page [and] there to have a good time. That energy made all the hard work worth it. It was a reminder of why we do what we do.”

Looking Ahead

Gamez says she is very happy where she is now in her career. But she knows better than anyone to “never say never” when asked if a return to our industry would ever be in her future. And the future is something she thinks about quite a bit. Where does she think ticketing and live events are headed for the rest of this year and into 2026?

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” she says. “The appetite for live experiences is strong, and the industry continues to evolve in exciting ways. But we’re also navigating economic shifts, audience expectations and tech disruptions. I believe the organizations that center their people, both staff and patrons, will be the ones that thrive!”