WNBA's Cathy Engelbert discusses her transition from being Deloitte CEO to becoming the commissioner of the longest-running women's professional sports league in the United States.

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Cathy Engelbert has had a notable career transition from being the CEO of Deloitte, a leading service provider in the United States, to becoming the commissioner of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Engelbert's tenure at Deloitte spanned over three decades, four of which she served as CEO. During this time, she cultivated an impressive career in accounting and auditing, while remaining connected to her passion for basketball, a sport deeply rooted in her family.

Engelbert's background in basketball was foundational; she played college basketball under Naismith Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw and her father was drafted into the NBA by the Detroit Pistons in 1957. This personal connection to the sport, coupled with her leadership skills, led to her being approached for the role of WNBA commissioner. Her term as CEO of Deloitte was drawing to a close, and Engelbert sought a unique opportunity that aligned with her interest in advancing women's leadership.

Her decision to become the commissioner was influenced by her desire to contribute to a broader women's leadership platform and her enduring passion for the sport. Since taking on this role, Engelbert has overseen an impressive transformation of the league, seeing it evolve from a state of survival to one of thriving success. With almost six years in the position, Engelbert holds no regrets and enjoys the unique challenges it presents, blending her professional aspirations with her love for basketball.



Cathy Engelbert on her path from Deloitte CEO to WNBA commissioner

You were the CEO of Deloitte which is one of the largest service providers in the United States and accounting and audit firm among other services. And you've done that quite well for quite a while. And all of a sudden you're approached by the WNBA about being the commissioner. What made you think you would want to do that. And what made them think that you could do that. Oh it's an interesting question. So it didn't seem to make a lot of sense to a lot of people unless you had come to my office at Deloitte and saw basketballs all behind me. So I played college basketball for now. Naismith Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw went on to great success in Notre Dame. I went to Little Lehigh University and my father was actually drafted into the NBA in 1957 by the Detroit Pistons. So we had a lot of basketball DNA in the family. And so when I was my term was ending at Deloitte I really said you know what do I want to do next. I want to do something different something with the broad women's leadership platform is something I had a passion for thinking maybe it would take me to a college or university. And then someone approached me about the WNBA commissioner job. And I said definitely is something different. Broad women's leadership platform and certainly a game. I have a huge passion for the game. How long had you been the CEO of Deloitte. So I'd been at Deloitte for over three decades 33 years and I'd been the CEO for a little over four year terms four years. I took over a little earlier than usual. And and then your terms up and it's time to move on and could have stayed at Deloitte senior partner but really wanted to do something and kind of a second act. And this was it. And did you stay connected to sports by playing on weekends or anything like that or you didn't have time for that. Not really. Raising two kids you know having a career. I did coach my daughter's travel basketball team from middle school during middle school. That's why I stay connected that way. But just a big fan of sports. So now how many years have you been the commissioner. Five and a half. So almost six now. Any regrets about taking the job. No regrets at all. This was a really good fit for me personally professionally and just enjoy the game so much I could go to a game every day. And it's just been a total transformation of a league that was just surviving five six years ago and now thriving.

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