Executive of the Year Award

Cathy Engelbert, Commissioner of the WNBA, is being recognized as the 2025 Executive of the Year for her pivotal role in advancing the importance of IP, particularly through her leadership bolstering the brand of the WNBA. Since becoming the league’s first Commissioner in 2019, she has led a major business transformation that has notably amplified the visibility and strengthened the brand identity of the WNBA. As Commissioner, she has secured key partnerships that expanded the league’s digital presence and media coverage, including purpose-driven initiatives designed to advance women through sports, elevate the WNBA’s brand, and have an impact on the community. She raised significant outside investment to fund transformation efforts and negotiated media agreements that set a new benchmark for women’s sports. Cathy has overseen league growth and introduced new events to generate additional revenue and exposure. She has improved the player and fan experience, driving strong increases in viewership and sponsorship while ensuring players have greater opportunities to build their own brands.