Dr. Tara Wilkinson-McClean shapes how cricket, brands, and communities connect across the Caribbean. As Head of Partnerships for the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and founder of the communications firm One Marque Inc., Wilkinson-McClean directs sponsorships, activations, and brand experiences that reach millions while fostering meaningful engagement with fans and partners alike.
Her entry into cricket was unexpected but transformative. “I had not worked in cricket. I had a marketing background, but not specifically sponsorship,” she recalls. A LinkedIn outreach from CPL co-founder Jamie Stewart opened the door to the league, where she quickly learned the intricacies of sponsorship and branding under his mentorship. Today, Wilkinson-McClean oversees partnerships that integrate business objectives with fan experiences, creating value for sponsors while enhancing engagement: “We start with the objectives and we continue thinking about what is it that you want to achieve, how you want to achieve it, and then we bridge that with the fan experience.”
Wilkinson-McClean also prioritizes representation and inclusion. Through initiatives like the Women’s CPL (WCPL) and targeted internship programs, she actively supports female fans and aspiring professionals in sport. “Women are the next frontier… It’s now – how do we show up? And how do these tournaments give us a platform so that we can add value?” she says. By investing in skills development and opportunities, she ensures that women see themselves reflected on the field and within the industry.
Beyond cricket, Wilkinson-McClean brings her expertise to education and design. As a lecturer in Communication Studies at the University of the West Indies, she emphasizes teaching critical thinking and fostering creativity. “Teaching for me is my opportunity to show up and give back in a way that others have done for me,” she explains. Her interior design practice, Haven Interiors Inc., extends this philosophy to physical spaces, crafting environments that tell stories and create immersive experiences, such as the VIP lounge for cricket legend Garry Sobers, where the space celebrates his life and love for the game.
A PhD in Gender and Communication Studies and recognition as a Global Humanities Scholar at Brown University underpins her approach, blending research with applied strategy. Across cricket, education, and design, Wilkinson-McClean aims to demonstrate how a focus on experience can transform brands, communities, and opportunities for women.