Rays project manager connects data teams during World Series run

Grace Dowling, a project manager for the Tampa Bay Rays, spends her workday bridging the gap between baseball coaches and the data engineers who build their analytical tools. Her role requires translating questions from the field into usable software for a staff of several hundred employees. Dowling, a 2016 graduate of Lake Forest College, has managed these systems while the Rays advanced to the 2026 World Series.

Dowling grew up in South Florida and became a lifelong fan of the team. After earning a degree in communication and playing on the Lake Forest women’s tennis team, she completed a master’s in sports management at Georgetown University. She gained industry experience through internships with the Association of Tennis Professionals and the Women’s Tennis Association before applying for the Rays position. The job allowed her to combine her professional skills with her personal interest in the franchise.

Her path to the major leagues began with a personal setback at Lake Forest. During her first year, Dowling broke her ankle and could not play tennis in the spring semester. She considered taking the time off but was supported by her college community. Dowling recalled that everyone made sure she did not disappear. She credited that support system for helping her through a difficult period and shaping her view of community value.

Dowling’s daily responsibilities involve coordinating with the Rays’ baseball systems team, developers, and data engineers. She ensures that analytics tools are accessible and responsive for analysts, scouts, and coaches. She explained that she works to turn the questions coaches ask into real-time solutions. The role demands communication and empathy as much as technical knowledge, skills she attributes to her liberal arts education.

The team’s postseason run tested the organization’s coordination. Dowling was in New York when the Rays advanced to the American League Championship Series. The team then defeated Cleveland at Tropicana Field to secure a spot in the World Series. Dowling described the victory at Tropicana as something else. She witnessed the work behind the scenes, from stadium operations to the placement of rally towels in every seat.

Dowling noted that the excitement was palpable throughout the organization. She observed that every department played a role in the team’s success. The Rays’ company values include the phrase respect more perspectives, a principle Dowling says she learned at Lake Forest. She emphasized the need to understand why others think a certain way and to communicate effectively. The 2026 season has ended, but Dowling continues to manage the technology infrastructure that supports the team’s daily operations.