When Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban called Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall to offer her the job of CEO of his NBA franchise back in 2018, she thought it was a spam call and didn’t answer. But what’s meant to be is meant to be and Marshall ultimately accepted the call of a lifetime, changing pro sports as we know it. Never having worked in basketball, but known for being business savvy, this week Marshall is being honored as a transformational leader in American business by the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the nation’s premiere membership program for African-American executives and thought leaders.
As the NBA’s first Black female CEO, Marshall has led a cultural transformation that includes substantial increases in executive diversity, with a 350 percent rise in women in executive leadership and a 224 percent increase in people of color at the VP level and above, according to the ELC.
Here are 4 more things to know About Cynt Marshall’s Transformational Leadership…
Corporate Experience: Before joining the Mavericks, she had a successful career at AT&T, where she held various leadership roles for more than three decades. Her experience in corporate leadership has greatly influenced her approach to team management and organizational culture, such as taking the time to ask each of her employees about their origins story. “I want to know who is in my workplace… so I can know how to serve these people,” said Marshall to Good Morning America.
Advocate for Change: Marshall is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion within sports and beyond. She has initiated programs focused on community engagement, social justice, and supporting underrepresented groups.
Resilience: Her journey has been marked by personal challenges, including overcoming childhood abuse and battling cancer, which she goes into depth about in her memoir, You’ve Been Chosen. Her resilience has shaped her leadership style and commitment to empowering others.
Community Engagement: Under her leadership, the Mavericks have increased their community outreach efforts, focusing on education, health, and wellness programs, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the Dallas community.
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Read More:
- Learn more about Cynt Marshall’s 2024 Achievement Award at The Executive Leadership Council‘s annual recognition gala in Washington, DC on October 3, 2024.
- From Tuition Woes to Fortune 500 Executive: Read How Arlene Isaacs Lowe Overcame Adversity to Made it to the Top
- Mellody Hobson: from Intern to CEO – How One Black Woman Did It!
