Former WNBA commissioner visits Sport Management Department

Donna Orender spoke with students and faculty, highlighting her athletic and professional career, which includes leading several high-profile companies.

Donna Orender, former WNBA president, speaks with members of the Women Influencers in Sport (WINS) initiative between classes on April 16. 
The Sport Management Department hosted Donna Orender, former WNBA commissioner and president, on campus on April 16. The respected corporate business leader, who has led growth and innovation initiatives for several high-profile companies, spoke with Visiting Professor Bill Squadron’s classes and participated in an informal conversation with members of the Women Influencers in Sport (WINS) initiative.

In addition to serving as CEO of Orender Unlimited, where she oversees the development of a strategic plan for the golf industry, initiated by the PGA of America, Orender is a bell-selling author. In 2018, she released “Wowsdom! The Girl’s Guide to the Positive and the Possible,” a book about girls discovering their power through letters and positive messages.

Students look on as Orender discusses the sport industry and her own professional career path.
​Orender has been recognized as one of Newsweek’s 100 most influential people in the business of sports.

Between 2005 and 2010, Orender served as the president and commissioner of the WNBA, during which time she solidified its base and led double digit growth in all key business metrics. Prior to the WNBA, Orender spent 17 years at the PGA TOUR where she was one of three senior executives serving in the Office of the Commissioner.