When we think “women of power,” we don’t get industry specific. We imagine these prolific women taking any and all industries by storm—including sports. BlackEnterprise.com celebrates these women who hold positions in executive suites all across this male-dominated industry. These women have broken barriers, raised the bar, and shifted perspective when it comes to who calls the shots in athletics.
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Michelle Roberts
Roberts is the first woman to hold her union leader position as executive director of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) in the four major professional sports leagues in the country. Roberts is also an experienced attorney and is currently an adjunct faculty member at Harvard Law School and a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. She received her B.A. from Wesleyan University and her J.D from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley.
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Pam El
El is the chief marketing officer at the National Basketball Association (NBA) where she heads global marketing operations, direct brand development, and advertising for the NBA, WNBA, and NBA Development League. Prior to the NBA, El served as the senior vice president of Brand Marketing for Nationwide Insurance and marketing vice president at State Farm.
Kerry D. Chandler
Chandler is the Chief Human Resources Office at Under Armour. Prior to
her current position at Under Armour, Chandler served as executive vice president of Human Resources at the National Basketball Association and global head of Human Resources for Christie’s International. She has also held senior positions at ESPN Inc. The Walt Disney Co., and Motorola Inc. Chandler is currently a member of the Executive Leadership Council.Sarah Mensah
Mensah is the former chief operating officer of the Portland Trailblazers and the current VP/GM of Jordan Brand North America. Mensah worked with the Trailblazers for 19 years holding several executive positions including senior vice president, chief marketing officer, senior vice president, Marketing and Sales, and vice president, Corporate Sales and Service. Prior to her work with the Trailblazers, Mensah held a career in broadcasting.
Sheila Johnson
Johnson is the first black American female billionaire and as of
2005 she’s also team president, managing partner, and governor of the WNBA’s Washington Wizards. You may recognize Johnson as co-founder of the BET, but you may not know is that she’s also CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts and the first African American women to be a partner or owner in the NHL (Washington Capitals), NBA (Washington Wizards) and WNBA (Washington Mystics). She is also sole executive producer of film, A Powerful Noise, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2008.Laurel Richie
Richie is currently the president of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Prior to her current position, Richie served as chief marketing officer and senior vice president for Girl Scouts of the USA. Before taking on her executive roles, she spent 20 years working for ad agency Ogilvy and Mather. Richie is a trustee of Dartmouth College where she serves as vice chair and chairman of the communications committee.
Sheryl Swoopes
Swoopes is the head coach of the Loyola University Chicago women’s basketball team. A retired basketball player, Swoopes was the first player to be signed to the WNBA upon inception. This three-time WNBA MVP winner has also won three Olympic Gold Medals. Swoopes is regarded by many as the female Michael Jordan.
Celebrate the accomplishments of all women of power at the 2016 Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit, March 9—12, 2016, Hilton Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida. Experience firsthand the shift that takes place when more than 800 like-minded women gather with the unified purpose of knowing their worth, owning their truth, and embracing their power.