Sia Savvy on Producing for ESPN, Leaving Corporate America, and Telling Stories That Matter

Sia Savvy

Bacon Magazine proudly highlights storytellers who shape the culture behind the scenes—and Sia Savvy is one to know. Her journey from accounting spreadsheets to ESPN documentaries is a reminder that creative callings don’t fade; they evolve until you’re brave enough to answer them.

Sia’s love of storytelling began in high school literature classes. “I was completely captivated by the classics,” she says. “I loved Sherlock Holmes, the tales of Joan of Arc… I fell in love with storytelling before I ever picked up a camera.” That early love led her to study journalism—until a creative spark redirected her path. “I realized I didn’t just want to report the story—I wanted to shape it. So I shifted into film with a focus on screenwriting.”

That pivot set the tone for her entire career.

With a degree in media management and an MBA in finance, she first entered corporate America, working as a project manager and accountant while keeping her passion for stories alive. “I’d be in meetings thinking about people’s lives and how their stories could be told. That perspective never left me.”

Eventually, she made the leap—leaving a stable job to bet on herself as a producer.

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That decision became a defining moment. “Before I start any project, I ask: Who is this for? Why does it matter now? That clarity shapes everything.” Her business background sharpened her instincts for audience connection, blending structure with soul to create unforgettable productions.

One of those productions is Full Court Press, the ESPN docuseries spotlighting rising stars in women’s college basketball. Season Two follows Kiki Iriafen, Flau’jae Johnson, and Hannah Hidalgo through the highs and heartbreaks of elite athletics. When showrunner and director Nikki Spetseris invited Sia to join the producing team—alongside Hannah Beir and Suzy Beck—she didn’t hesitate.

“I was brought on to support Kiki’s story in particular, but it became a beautiful collaboration across the board. Our team was a dream. We respected each other’s perspectives and created something powerful.”

Sia hopes viewers walk away not just entertained, but inspired. “I want people to see these women—their dedication, their discipline, their ability to keep going. That’s what makes them stars.”

She’s also a strong advocate for versatility in the film and television industry. “Try everything. Scripted, unscripted, documentaries—go for it. Skills are transferable, and the more you learn, the more valuable you become.”

That flexibility has helped her thrive in an evolving media landscape, where platforms like YouTube and TikTok have shifted how content is shared. “You no longer have to wait for a studio. You can share your work directly with an audience, which is liberating. It’s made me more creative and open to new possibilities.”

No matter the medium, Sia Savvy’s focus remains the same: telling stories that reflect real life, uplift the overlooked, and resonate deeply.

“I want to tell stories that make people feel seen. That’s always been the goal.”

And with each new project, she’s doing just that—story by story, screen by screen.