Donna Orender, CEO of Orender Unlimited is a recognized leader, game changer and business executive. Throughout her career she has navigated unchartered waters, blazing new and innovative paths and solutions while building teams and belief systems around success. She has that special ability to bring a fresh eye, a keen analysis and a unique ability to lead people in new directions.
Currently leading the efforts of Orender Unlimited, a Jacksonville based consulting and advisory company; Donna utilizes her expansive experience to assist companies and people in making transformational impact in their own lives and the marketplace.
She recently launched GENERATION W, a brand focused on educating, inspiring and connecting women and girls. The inaugural event held in April 2012 featured over 25 national speakers and 700 attendees in a very unique and motivating day of programming.
Donna Orender most recently served 6 years as President of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Her responsibilities included the oversight of all league operations including both the business and competitive aspects of the league.
During her tenure, with her focus on revitalizing the brand, its value and relevance, the league experienced 4 years of consecutive attendance growth, after many years of decline. She successfully guided the league to increased television ratings, digital growth, and merchandise sales. The league continues to benefit from an 8 year contract extension with Disney/ABC/ESPN which for the first time included broadcast rights fees and an unprecedented 6 year Collective Bargaining agreement. In addition, she was able to open new markets, bring in new owners and help innovate in both the digital and sponsorship business areas.
Prior to the WNBA, Donna spent 17 years at the PGA TOUR, the men’s professional golf tour. She led the negotiating team that changed the paradigm for how PGA TOUR golf was both packaged and sold for television resulting in significant growth for the TOUR. Her last position was in the Office of the Commissioner, as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Development. She was responsible for developing strategic direction across all business lines including direct oversight of brand management, advertising and digital strategy.
Prior to moving into the Office of the Commissioner, Donna oversaw the TOUR’s global television and production businesses. Driving exponential growth, she led both the creative scope and business depth of PGA TOUR Productions domestically and abroad.
Donna’s business career began after playing 3 years in the Women’s Professional Basketball League, the WBL where she earned All-Star status. This experience enabled her to work in network television sports at ABC and later in cable television at SportsChannel before forming her own production company.
She is currently the CEO of Orender Unlimited, a consulting company that is focused on providing sales, marketing, media and diversity strategies for a wide array of industry companies. Her current clients include the PGA of America, Fanvision, work in private equity and has consulted on entertainment and digital projects.
Donna has been recognized as one of the top 10 Most Powerful Women in Sports, one of Newsweeks100 most Influential people in sports, has been a recipient of the March of Dimes Sports Leadership Award and was honored by the UJA-Federation of New York’s Entertainment, Media and Communications Division for her dedication to the community.
She currently serves on the boards of the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, the V Foundation for Cancer research and Association of Surfing Professionals, Co-Chairs the UJA Sports for Youth Initiative and the board of W.O.M.E.N, a mentoring organization.
Donna is a graduate of Queens College in NYC and pursued graduate studies in social work at Adelphi University where she was awarded an honorary doctorate. She is a sought after speaker on issues such as leadership, teamwork, motivation and gender/diversity issues.