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Pérez Art Museum Miami
WHEN
where
October 16, 2025
Energy Innovation Center
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Inspired & Empowered
Donna Orender
Donna Orender learned early on that the games played on the courts and in the fields were vital learning and proving grounds for life’s opportunities. Recognized as a leader of growth and innovation in several high-profile companies, her ability to pivot as a former professional basketball athlete has served her well. Her passionate pursuit of working on behalf of women and girls is the result of her journey as a professional athlete, a corporate executive, a leader of an iconic women’s business—the WNBA, a board member, and the founder of Generation W. She was recognized as one of the top 10 Most Powerful Women in Sports, named one of Newsweek`s 100 most influential people in sports, and is a best-selling author with her 2018 release of WOWsdom! The Girl’s Guide to the Positive and the Possible.
In 2011, Donna launched Generation W (www.genwnow.com), a dynamic platform of education, inspiration, and connection for women and girls, with the goal of building community. It has changed the trajectory of thousands of individuals who have become part of this inclusive and energetic community. Leveraging intergenerational connectivity and mentorship, Generation W and Generation WOW have positively impacted skills and opportunities while broadening perspectives on women’s equality and equity.
Donna served six years as the President of the WNBA, during which time she solidified its base and led double-digit growth in all key business metrics. Prior to the WNBA, Donna spent 17 years at the PGA TOUR serving in the Office of the Commissioner. She developed a global and domestic media business leading global production, programming, distribution, and digital businesses for the TOUR. As the CEO of Orender Unlimited, she works with companies on strategic and growth initiatives.
She currently serves on the board of the SPAC Goal Acquisition Corporation as well as on the privately held World Surf League Board and Cre8tor, an Israeli-based health and wellness manufacturing company.
Her community board work includes the V Foundation for Cancer Research, UJA Sports for Youth Initiative, Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Jacksonville Chamber Executive Committee, and Maccabi USA, and she is a founding member of the board of Women in America. She has also been a Global Ambassador for Vital Voices, a Hall of Fame collegiate and professional athlete, and a recipient of the March of Dimes Sports Leadership Award. She enjoys speaking on leadership, change, and gender equity. She is a mom of twin sons and two stepchildren.
Founder & CEO, Orender Unlimited & Generation W. Former President,
The Women's National Basketball Association
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm | Registration & Networking
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Keynote Speaker & Panel Discussions
1435 Bedford Ave,
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
WOMEN@LANGAN
10TH ANNIVERSARY
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Excellence, Empowerment, and Engagement: Honoring Our Legacy and Inspiring Our Future
event details
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VIEW AGENDA and panelists
Benefiting
event agenda
1:30 pm - 2:00 pM
REGISTRATION & NETWORKING
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
panel discussion #1
Mentorship in Action: Moving from Performative to Transformative Mentorship
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2:00 pm - 2:30 pM
keynote speECH
4:00 pm - 4:15 pM
break
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
panel discussion #2
Reimagining Leadership in the AI Era: Balancing Innovation and Workforce Empowerment
4:15 pm - 5:00 pm
panel discussion #3
Confidence, Imposter Syndrome, and Self-Advocacy: Overcoming Self-doubt, Public Speaking, and Negotiation Tips
4:40 pm - 5:10pm
BREAKOUT SESSION
Resilience Without the Burnout: Sustainable Leadership Models for Those Who Lead — Featuring Tools, Boundary-Setting, and Rest Culture
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5:00 pm - 5:15 pM
closing and presentation of donation
5:15 pm - 7:00pM
happy hour and networking
Food and drink with industry friends
This event is open to all
Caroline Fitzgerald
Women's Sports Consultant Founder of GOALS and host of award winning podcast, The Business Case For Women’s Sports
Learn More About Caroline and her upcoming talk
Barbie, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and the Inevitable Prosperity of Women’s Sports
Cheri Bomar
Executive VP &
General Counsel
Hardy World
Amy Coles
Partner & Co-Chair, Pittsburgh Office
Blank Rome
Lynn DeLorenzo
Director, Land Advisory Services
Fourth River Development LLC
Stephen Shanley
Director
Allegheny County Department of Public Works
Susan Penfield
Board Member Langan Former CTO of Booz Allen
Jamie Barr
Principal
Langan
Burcu Akinci
Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University
Sandra (Sandy) Cernick
President & CEO Pressure Chemical
Katherine Knickelbein
Senior Counsel
FedEx
Antonio Marinucci
Program Lead, Global Strategic Programs - Front End Planning
Google
PANELISTS
Caroline Fitzgerald
Women's Sports Consultant Founder of GOALS and host of award winning podcast, The Business Case For Women’s Sports
Caroline Fitzgerald is a leading expert on the business of women’s sports and gender equity in sports. In 2020, she founded GOALS, a women’s sports media platform, and launched The Business Case for Women’s Sports podcast, which is sponsored by Ally and was named 2024’s Best Women’s Sports Podcast by Hashtag Sports.
Caroline also works as a consultant, advising brands, properties, and organizations on marketing, media, and growth strategies in women’s sports. She was named a 2024 Power Player in Women’s Sports by Sports Business Journal and is a regular contributing writer for Forbes, TOGETHXR, SBJ, and Parity.
Before GOALS, Caroline spent over a decade in marketing and sponsorship sales with Kohl’s, the Heinz History Center, and P3R & the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. She holds a B.S. in Marketing and B.A. in Women's Studies from The Schreyer Honors College at Penn State, and an M.S. in Global Sport from NYU. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA and has done work locally in women's sports with the Pittsburgh Passion, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Pittsburgh Riveters.
The examples of Barbie, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have undeniably proven that when women consumers are prioritized, profits soar. And when it comes to an entertainment product, women’s sports are perfectly positioned to serve an historically underserved female audience. This talk will make "the business case for women's sports" and discuss how women's sports are at a tipping point and poised for incredible growth ahead.
Talk Description:
Talk Title:
Barbie, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and the Inevitable Prosperity of Women’s Sports
Adrienne Miles
Construction and Community Impact Manager
UPMC