TALKS
Donna Orender | Fear NOT the Ask
Leadership, power, empowerment — they never meant a lot to Donna Orender growing up. Being a strong young woman was about opportunity. She just wanted a level playing field. But she discovered that the path to enlightenment, to a passion focused on girls excelling and women rising, began with not being afraid to ask a simple question: WHY NOT? Orender discusses the power of asking Why Not? as something we must embrace in the interest of personal growth, transformation, and broader social opportunities.
Donna Orender, CEO of Orender Unlimited, is a recognized business leader, trailblazer, game changer and executive. She is the founder of Generation W a nonprofit that is focused on educating, inspiring and connecting women and girls and the communities in which they live. Her work grew from her experience as an athlete culminating in her participation in the first women's professional basketball league and ultimately serving as the President of the WNBA, the Women's National Basketball Association.
During her term the league solidified its base and grew double digits in all key business metrics. With her focus on revitalizing the brand, its value and relevance, the league experienced five years of consecutive attendance growth.
Prior to the WNBA, Donna spent 17 years at the PGA Tour, and time working for major media companies. While at the TOUR she led the negotiating team that changed the paradigm for how PGA Tour golf was both packaged and sold for television, resulting in billions of dollars in growth for the tour.
She currently serves on both private and public boards and is actively engaged in her local community.
