In July 2019, Cathy Engelbert was named the first-ever Commissioner of the WNBA and is charged with bolstering visibility for the sport of women’s basketball and leading the business through transformation. Since Cathy stepped into the role of WNBA Commissioner, she has executed a historic player-first Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2020; built and socialized a new economic framework to drive league revenue growth and stakeholder success; led the longest tenured women's professional sports league in the U.S. through it's 25th anniversary season and through the COVID-19 pandemic; and, raised $75 million capital from outside investors to fund league transformation projects.
Prior to the WNBA, Cathy retired as the CEO of Deloitte in June 2019, after 33 years with the firm. Elected as Deloitte CEO in 2015, she was the first woman CEO in the history of a Big Four professional services firm. In her role as CEO of Deloitte, Cathy led the largest accounting and consulting organization in the U.S. with more than 100,000 professionals.
Cathy is a member of the Board of Directors of McDonald's Corporation, Royalty Pharma, and the USGA Executive Committee. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Partnership for New York City and is a member of the Business Council, Council on Foreign Relations, and Catalyst, a global non-profit organization that promotes inclusive workplaces for women.
She has been listed as one of Fortune's Most Powerful Women for four consecutive years, was ranked on Glassdoor's annual Employees' Choice Awards honoring the 100 Highest Rated CEOs, and is one of Fast Company magazine's Most Productive People. In 2021, Cathy was listed on the Forbes' '50 Over 50' list and Adweeks '40 Women to Watch'.
Cathy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics (Accounting) form Lehigh University. She has two children - earning her the recognition as one of Working Mother magazine's 50 Most Powerful Moms for three years.
5/2023
Prior to the WNBA, Cathy retired as the CEO of Deloitte in June 2019, after 33 years with the firm. Elected as Deloitte CEO in 2015, she was the first woman CEO in the history of a Big Four professional services firm. In her role as CEO of Deloitte, Cathy led the largest accounting and consulting organization in the U.S. with more than 100,000 professionals.
Cathy is a member of the Board of Directors of McDonald's Corporation, Royalty Pharma, and the USGA Executive Committee. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Partnership for New York City and is a member of the Business Council, Council on Foreign Relations, and Catalyst, a global non-profit organization that promotes inclusive workplaces for women.
She has been listed as one of Fortune's Most Powerful Women for four consecutive years, was ranked on Glassdoor's annual Employees' Choice Awards honoring the 100 Highest Rated CEOs, and is one of Fast Company magazine's Most Productive People. In 2021, Cathy was listed on the Forbes' '50 Over 50' list and Adweeks '40 Women to Watch'.
Cathy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics (Accounting) form Lehigh University. She has two children - earning her the recognition as one of Working Mother magazine's 50 Most Powerful Moms for three years.
5/2023