REACH FOR THE SKY

As the co-owner and operating chairman of the WNBA championship-winning team Chicago Sky, NADIA RAWLINSON leads the ownership group and oversees business operations, strategy, and government relations. This dynamic business leader received her B.A. from Stanford University and MBA from Harvard Business School and has spent more than two decades cultivating an exceptional career with experience across all facets of human resources strategy and development on a global scale—previously holding C-suite positions at tech and Fortune 500 companies such as Slack Technologies and Live Nation Entertainment.

What does the idea of power mean to you? The ability and freedom to move and act with purpose and authority, have sway.

How should women support other women? By showing up for one another and helping one another be their best, with love.

What has been the most significant barrier in your career and how have you persevered? I haven’t encountered real barriers. Challenges, for sure, but I didn’t perceive them as barriers.

What are you most proud of doing? Helping create success for others.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve taken as a professional? Shifting from being a Silicon Valley tech executive to sports ownership.

What is the most important characteristic of an effective leader? Clarity of thought combined with action.

Who is your role model and why? L. Kevin Cox, CHRO of GE. When he spoke, he moved the room—a quality that I admire and is indicative of his approach to leadership.

What was a pivotal moment in your career? Leading on the team architecting the acquisition of Slack by Salesforce for $27.7 billion, making it one of the most significant public-to-public deals in Silicon Valley history.

For more information, visit sky.wnba.com.