Donna Orender is entering her third season as President of the Women’s National Basketball Association, having been named to the position in February 2005. Bringing considerable sports business experience, she oversees all business and league operations for the WNBA. The League has seen growth in many areas during her tenure. These areas include the expansion of WNBA All-Star Weekend to include the All-Star Salute: Celebrating Inspiration Luncheon, moving the Draft and Pre-Draft Camp to the host city of the Women’s Final Four, elevating coverage while maintaining a progressive view to further the exposure of women in sports and broadening the connection with fans through increased marketing partnerships. In addition, the WNBA celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2006 by selecting the All-Decade Team and Greatest Moments in League history.
Prior to joining the WNBA, Orender spent over 17 years with the PGA Tour. Most recently, she served in the Office of the Commissioner as one of three senior executives responsible for the overall business of the Tour. During her career, she was instrumental in the growth of PGA Tour Productions and the development of PGA Tour Radio and PGATour.com as well as the global television business, advertising and brand management of Tour. Orender’s television production career began at ABC Sports and continued at SportsChannel. Orender also owned her own company, Primo Donna Productions.
Orender’s community and philanthropic activities include serving on the boards of the Hadassah Foundation, First Tee of Metropolitan New York, the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, Inc., the Jacksonville Film & Television Advisory Council, the University of North Florida College of Arts and Science Advisory Council, Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. In addition, she served as Co-Chair for the USA Women’s Basketball team for the 16th World Maccabiah Games in Israel.
Among her many accolades, Orender was honored as the 2007 WISE Woman of the Year in April 2007 by the Women in Sports and Events - New York and was the recipient of the March of Dimes Sports Leadership Award in November 2006. In 2005, she was named to the prestigious Sporting News’ annual “Power 100” list, as well as FoxSports.com’s “10 Most Powerful Women in Sports” list. She became the first woman honored by the UJA-Federation of New York’s Entertainment, Media and Communications Division for her loyal and longstanding dedication to the community in March 2006.
Orender boasts a significant basketball history and a true passion for the game. She played basketball in college and earned Regional All-American honors. Orender was the starting point guard for the New York Stars, New Jersey Gems and Chicago Hustle during three seasons in the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL), where she was an All-Star. A graduate of Queens College in New York, she studied social work in graduate school at Adelphi University and earned an honorary doctorate in May 2007.
Born in New Hyde Park and raised in Elmont, NY, Orender is married to MG Orender, past President of the PGA of America and owner/partner in Hampton Golf, Inc. She has twin boys, Jacob and Zachary (9) and two stepchildren, Morgan and Colleen.
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