Edition #42
June 17, 2026
Welcome to The W Profile, a study of the women leading at the intersection of sports, media, and global business. As college athletics adopts professional structures, it is instructive to look to the visionaries who have already mastered the complexities of the corporate world. By bringing C-Suite lessons to the athletics community, this series will provide leaders with the insights necessary to build a lasting legacy.
Check out the new opportunity at Arizona below.
Post HERE to maximize the reach of your job openings, while enjoying the most affordable posting price offered in the industry. More bang, less bucks.
Introduction
When the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) needed a leader to optimize the holistic development, mental wellness, and post-career transition of its athletes, they targeted an executive with a 360-degree view of the basketball ecosystem. Morgan Cato, who joined the NBPA in late 2024 as Executive Vice President of Player Operations under Executive Director Andre Iguodala, stepped into the role having already made history across both the NBA league office and the franchise level.
She is responsible for leading joint NBPA-NBA programming, optimizing on-court performance resources, and spearheading off-court career transitions for athletes. Her leadership is defined by a rigorous focus on the business of human performance, an unparalleled understanding of complex labor ecosystems, and a commitment to ensuring that athletes possess the infrastructure needed to succeed during and long after their playing careers.
From the Front Office to the Union
Cato’s executive DNA was forged at the intersection of corporate strategy and elite sports management. With a background that spans Fortune 500 consulting at Ernst & Young and Lehman Brothers, as well as executive training at Harvard Business School, she brought a uniquely analytical approach to basketball operations. She spent a decade at the NBA league office, eventually rising to Associate Vice President of Business Operations for League Ops. During this tenure, she managed a massive operational P&L and was instrumental in launching the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL), the Referee Development Program, and the NBA Coaches Equality Initiative.
However, her reputation as a barrier-breaking executive was globally cemented in 2022 when the Phoenix Suns hired her as Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations, making her the first woman of color to hold an Assistant GM title in NBA history. In Phoenix, she focused on improving 360-degree team performance, operations, and strategy. This unprecedented triad of experience—serving the league, leading a franchise, and now advocating for the union—provides her with an unmatched operational playbook. By the time she joined the NBPA, she possessed a deep understanding of the structural incentives motivating every side of the negotiating table.
The NBPA Playbook
Cato approaches player operations with a strategy that treats athletes not just as on-court assets, but as global enterprises that require robust, life-long operational support. Her playbook encompasses three critical pillars:
➤ A 360-Degree Ecosystem Approach: Cato achieved what few executives can claim: she deeply understands the NBA's corporate goals, a franchise's daily performance metrics, and the union’s labor priorities. She utilizes this rare perspective to lead joint NBPA-NBA programming, seamlessly navigating the friction points of officiating engagement, on-court efficiency, and player impact without treating the league as an inherent adversary.
➤ Infrastructure for Life Beyond the Court: Recognizing that an athlete's playing window is brief, she prioritizes post-career transitions as a core labor right. Cato oversees a strategic vision to revitalize the union's Education Trust and is developing rotational programs for former NBPA members, providing them with hands-on corporate experience to support off-court career aspirations and executive growth.
➤ Centralizing Mental Wellness: Cato recognizes that physical performance and commercial value are inextricably linked to psychological health. By overseeing the NBPA’s mental wellness team and resources, she ensures that safeguarding player mental health is treated with the same institutional urgency as collective bargaining and revenue generation.
Lessons on Boldness and Cultural Relevance
Cato has built a career on shattered ceilings and relentless competence. She leads with the philosophy that operations isn't merely about spreadsheets and logistical management; it is about building the human infrastructure required for elite talent to thrive.
She operates with the belief that true advocacy requires being in the rooms where the rules are written. Whether championing the Women in Basketball Operations Forum to expand diverse hiring pipelines or stepping into an Assistant GM role amid intense public scrutiny, she never waited for the basketball world to become inclusive on its own. Her success proves that the ultimate role of a sports executive is to construct the systems that allow athletes and marginalized voices to capture their full value.
Takeaways
➤ Empathy Requires Proximity: Cato’s effectiveness stems from her 360-degree journey. Having worked for the league, a team, and the union, she proves that the best negotiators deeply understand the operational pain points of the other side.
➤ Human Performance is a Business Metric: By overseeing both on-court performance resources and mental wellness initiatives, she reinforces that psychological health is foundational to protecting a league's most valuable commercial assets.
➤ Transition is a Labor Right: Cato recognizes that a union’s job doesn't end at retirement. By championing education and rotational programs for former players, she treats post-career success as a core component of player advocacy.
➤ Competence Shatters Ceilings: Her historic rise to Assistant GM demonstrates that true systemic change in sports front offices isn't achieved through PR campaigns, but by undeniable, elite-level operational competence.
Read. Watch. Listen.
READ: In an article for BET, Cato talks about the importance of the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program, noting: “The Rookie experience is unique but pivotal for all athletes, NBA players specifically. … When you're transitioning from a college setting to an 82-game, nine-month schedule, being away from your family and needing to perform consistently, it’s not always easy. The program is intended to meet the guys where they are and prepare them for the journey of the rookie season.” More. (link).
LISTEN: On the Columbia University Sports Management Program podcast, Cato shares insights on rookie development, mental wellness, NIL preparedness, player engagement, and the evolving support systems surrounding today’s athletes. Cato also talks about the globalization of basketball, the realities young athletes face entering the league, and the importance of leadership, adaptability, and relationship-building in sports business. (link)
LISTEN: Cato joins the Women Blazers podcast to discuss her career path, how her New York upbringing instilled in her a love of basketball, leadership lessons she’s learned and more. (link)
Quote to Remember
People are your biggest asset to any successful evolving venture; not widgets, gidgets or technology platforms – people. The art of navigating relationships, culture and people, reciprocity are essential gems to take a thought from ideation, to creation, to revenue generation.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Emily Prazer – Chief Commercial Officer, Formula 1
Publication Date: Sunday, June 14
Cindy Parlow Cone – President, United States Soccer Federation
Publication Date: Wednesday, June 10
Amélie Mauresmo – Tournament Director, French Open
Publication Date: Sunday, June 7
W Jobs is a dedicated distribution channel that highlights leadership and professional opportunities in college athletics for women who want greater visibility into the full range of roles across the industry.
Positions featured here are also posted on the comprehensive CollegeSports.jobs site and are open to all qualified candidates. W Jobs exists to expand awareness, not define who a role is for, because every job in college athletics should be accessible to women. Employers choose to amplify their postings through W Jobs to reach a broader audience and demonstrate their commitment to equitable access to opportunity.
Interested in expanding your reach by promoting your job to women subscribed to College.town publications? Submit your position here.
(Posted from most recent over the last 15 days)
(NEW!) Athletics Mental Health and Performance Counselor (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Help Arizona student-athletes thrive. Lead mental health care, performance psychology, and wellness initiatives while shaping a championship-focused culture of growth, resilience, and success. More details HERE.
Director, Business Office, Accountant (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Focused on accounts payable, purchase orders, cash & travel advances, month end close, audits, United States Military Academy (“USMA”) and related party transactions and vendor payment processing More details HERE.
Associate Director, Development (Athletics) (Kennesaw State University / Kennesaw, GA): Join the team at Kennesaw State University and become part of a supportive and thriving community. More details HERE.
Assistant Men's Soccer Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Coaching Cadet-athletes, recruiting, monitoring Cadet-athletes’ academic progress, scheduling, managing travel, overseeing the discipline and conduct of the Cadet-athletes. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach - Baseball (Missouri State University / Springfield, MO): The Assistant Coach is responsible for specifically designated aspects of the sport, exercises independent judgment in providing technical expertise in the fundamentals of the sport. More details HERE.
Assistant Director of Athletic Counseling (Oregon State University / Corvallis, OR): Provide strategic leadership for academic counseling, supervising a team of academic counselors across all sports. Responsible for establishing, maintaining, and promoting best practices. More details HERE.
Assistant Manager of Facility Events and Rentals (Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT / Cambridge, MA): Working in conjunction with students, coaches, faculty, and staff, provides management for the evening and weekend operations of facilities with a focus on managing and supervising athletic events. More details HERE.
Vice President of Athletics (Baker University / Baldwin City, KS): Seeking a high-energy leader committed to competitive excellence, student-athlete success, and advancing the University’s values of integrity, service, innovation, and community. More details HERE.
Senior Director/Director of Athletic Business & Finance - Business & Finance (University Athletic Association, Inc. at the University of Florida / Gainesville, FL): Perform and manage services for the UAA Business & Finance office. Oversee the monthly/quarterly/annual UAA required financial statements and reporting. More details HERE.
Director, Athletics Fields (Kennesaw State University / Kennesaw, GA): Responsible for leading athletic field operations, turf maintenance, staff, budgets, and vendors to ensure safe, high-quality, NCAA-compliant playing surfaces for athletics and special events. More details HERE.
Deputy Athletics Director, Internal Operations (Towson University / Towson, MD): This position provides oversight of internal operations, student-athlete development initiatives, departmental policy and compliance functions, conference and NCAA reporting. More details HERE.
Tyler Family Endowed Director of Student-Athlete Development (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Empower Wildcats beyond competition. Lead career readiness, leadership development, and life skills initiatives that prepare student-athletes for success in college and beyond sport. More details HERE.
Hockey Equipment Manager (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Manages all equipment operations for the Division I Men's Ice Hockey program -procuring, maintaining, and overseeing uniforms, equipment, and gear for athletes, coaches, and support staff. More details HERE.
Financial Analysis, Manager II (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Drive financial strategy for Arizona Athletics by leading complex reporting, data analysis, benchmarking, and forecasting to support informed decision-making and organizational success. More details HERE.
Nutritionist (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Help fuel championship performance by delivering expert sports nutrition counseling, education, and meal planning to support the health, wellness, and success of Arizona student-athletes. More details HERE.
Assistant Director, Ticket Operations (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Support the Wildcat fan experience by managing ticket operations for assigned sports, overseeing event-day box office functions, and delivering exceptional customer service. More details HERE.
Associate Director, Ticketing (University of Notre Dame / Notre Dame, IN): Part of a dynamic ticket office team - primary responsibility for a reserved seating sport while helping shape and elevate the overall ticketing strategy. More details HERE.
Associate General Counsel (Athletics) (Vanderbilt University / Nashville, TN): Vanderbilt University is seeking an Associate General Counsel to join the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and provide legal advice to Vanderbilt University Athletics. More details HERE.
Head Baseball Coach (University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma / Chickasha, OK): Head coach responsible for recruiting, coaching, player development, program administration, and compliance with NAIA, conference, and university regulations. More details HERE.
Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, Administration & Risk (University of Southern California / Los Angeles, CA): USC seeks a collaborative Exec. Sr. Assoc. AD, Administration & Risk to oversee legal affairs, organizational strategy and risk management to help guide one of the nation's premier athletics programs More details HERE.
Head Women's Golf Coach (Methodist University / Fayetteville, NC): The head coach will be responsible for the leadership and organization of a competitive women’s golf program that has had tremendous success winning 26 NCAA Division III Team National Championships. More details HERE.
Assistant Women's Tennis Coach (Part-time) - Intercollegiate Athletics (Duquesne University / Pittsburgh, PA): Under the general direction of the Director of Tennis, the Asst. Women’s Tennis Coach is responsible for supervising, planning, and coordinating the activities of the women’s tennis program. More details HERE.
Assistant AD, Business Office, Senior Accountant (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Active role in financial reporting & analysis, budgeting, audits, accounts payable, credit card reconciliations and staff supervision. More details HERE.
Assistant Men's Gymnastics Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Coaching, recruiting, monitoring Cadet-athletes’ academic progress, scheduling, managing travel, overseeing the discipline and conduct of the Cadet-athletes. More details HERE.
Assistant Men's Ice Hockey Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Coaching Cadet-athletes, season planning, recruiting, logistics, scheduling, managing travel, and managing the team’s budget including purchasing. More details HERE.
Assistant/Associate Head Men's Rugby Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Coaching, recruiting, monitoring Cadet-athletes’ academic progress, scheduling, managing travel, overseeing the discipline and conduct of the Cadet-athletes. More details HERE.
Assistant Baseball Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Coaching, recruiting, monitoring Cadet-athletes’ academic progress, scheduling, managing travel, overseeing the discipline and conduct of the Cadet-athletes. More details HERE.
Football Equipment Manager (Florida International University / Miami, FL): Manages the procedures for the storage, maintenance, repair, and inventory control of all equipment apparel, and field equipment for the football team. More details HERE.
Assistant Director of Athletic Communications (Juniata College / Huntingdon, PA): Launch your career in athletic communications by creating digital content, supporting live events, managing gameday production, and promoting student-athlete stories in a hands-on role. More details HERE.
Sport Performance Coach-Intern (Juniata College / Huntingdon, PA): Start your sport performance career with hands-on experience designing training programs, supporting student-athletes, and building coaching skills in a collaborative athletics setting. More details HERE.
Strength & Conditioning Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Directly supervise the performance training program of Olympic sports assigned teams - contributing to the wellness of cadet-athletes, assisting cadet-athletes in optimizing competitive performance. More details HERE.
Head Coach Softball (Florida International University / Miami, FL): Provides overall leadership for the Softball program. More details HERE.
Director/Sport Services & Student-Athlete Engagement (NEC / Bridgewater, NJ): The Director will play a key role in the organization and oversight of NEC Championship events and NEC SAAC and academic groups. More details HERE.
Seasonal Assistant Volleyball Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Coaching Cadet-athletes, recruiting, monitoring Cadet-athletes’ academic progress, scheduling, managing travel, overseeing the discipline and conduct of the Cadet-athletes. More details HERE.
Part-Time Administrative Assistant (University of Notre Dame / Notre Dame, IN): This part-time role provides support for the day-to-day operations of the football program, with a primary focus on serving as the front desk and first point of contact for the football facility. More details HERE.
Head Men's and Women's Wrestling Coach (Juniata College / Huntingdon, PA): Lead and build a new wrestling program by recruiting and developing student-athletes, shaping team culture, managing operations, and creating a championship-focused experience. More details HERE.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach - Men's Basketball (Missouri State University / Springfield, MO): To assist the men’s basketball and men’s golf programs with proper training and conditioning of student athletes. This position will help with overall performance of the student athletes. More details HERE.
Head Men's Volleyball Coach (Loras College / Dubuque, IA): Oversee all aspects of the volleyball program. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach - Swimming & Diving (University Athletic Association, Inc. at the University of Florida / Gainesville, FL): Provide direct and independent coaching of student-athletes who compete in D1, NCAA Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving for UF. Promote academic excellence. Assess/recruit prospective student-athletes. More details HERE.
Director of Creative Services (College Sports Communicators / Remote, US): This role will create engaging digital, social, print and other content that will drive engagement and elevate the CSC national association brand, its members, and the Academic All-America® program. More details HERE.
Assistant Athletic Trainer (Florida International University / Miami, FL): Assists Head Athletic Trainer in a manner that provides for competent and complete medical care for all student athletes participating in sports in Intercollegiate Athletics. More details HERE.
Assistant Director of Marketing - Marketing & Promotions (University Athletic Association, Inc. at the University of Florida / Gainesville, FL): Create comprehensive marketing plans with focus on ticket sales, attendance driving initiatives, fan experience enhancement strategies, and brand awareness. More details HERE.
Academic Advisor (Missouri State University / Springfield, MO): The Academic Advisor-Athletics assists in the development and coordination of academic assistance programs designed to enable student-athletes to receive appropriate and timely academic assistance. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach -Softball (Missouri State University / Springfield, MO): To assist the softball program with day to day operations that include recruiting, academic assistance, individual workouts, scouting, practice, official and unofficial visits, etc. More details HERE.