Meet Katrina M. Adams
Global Speaker l Author l Analyst l Leader
With an outstanding track record in leading, innovating and collaborating Katrina Adams is a woman of many firsts. The first African American to lead the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the first two term Chairman and President of said organization and the first former player to hold that honor.
As the youngest person to hold the responsibility of $300 million+ revenue while representing excellence in sport, Adams has showcased her ability to impact, influence and make sound business decisions while navigating a plethora of moving parts and 700,000+ members.
Under her tutelage the USTA achieved a number of major milestones, including the opening of the 100 court USTA National Campus in Orlando, the strategic transformation of the $600 million USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. and an unprecedented outreach effort into underserved communities in an effort to share the sport of tennis with more people.
Having attended Northwestern University and led her team to a Big Ten Championship in 1986 and partnered with Diane Donnelly to win the 1987 NCAA Doubles Championship, Adams learned early on, the importance of teamwork. A familiar face in sports commentary, as a professional player Adams competed for 12 years on the WTA Tour, winning 20 career doubles titles and reaching the quarterfinals or better in doubles at all four Grand Slam events. By operating at the highest level in sport and business she has been able to lead successive boards in setting clearly defined strategies to further the organizations’ missions and ensure that management are afforded the tools needed to execute and excel.
Adams sheer determination and hard work in Tennis, leadership and philanthropy has earned her many accolades including: being named on Adweek magazine’s “Most Powerful Women in Sports” list twice (2016 and 2017), Forbes magazine’s “Most Powerful Women in Sports” list in 2017 and Ebony magazine’s “Power 100” list.
As vice president of the prestigious International Tennis Federation, Chairman of the Billie Jean King Cup Committee, Chairman of the Gender Equality in Tennis Committee and the Executive Director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program, Adams believes this is just the beginning. She has branched into the private sector as Board Members of Pivotal Acquisition Corp III and GSE Worldwide. She also serves on multiple Advisory Boards; Athletes Unlimited, Highlight Pro Skydiving, Full Court Tennis and Racquet Magazine. Adams served an unprecedented two consecutive terms as USTA Chairman and President, and served the board 2005-2020.
Boards Served:
GSE Worldwide
Board of Directors, 2021-Present
Racquet Magazine
Advisory Board, 2021-Present
Highlight Pro Skydiving
Advisory Board, 2021-Present
Full Court Tennis
Advisory Board, 2021-Present
International Tennis Federation (ITF)
London, UK, Vice President, 2015-Present
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Newport, RI, Executive Board Member, 2017-Present
Pivotal Acquisition Corporation III
New York, NY, Independent Board Member, 2021-Present
Athletes Unlimited, Advisory Board
New York, NY, 2020-Present
Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program
New York, NY, President, 2005-Present
United States Tennis Association (USTA)
New York, NY, 2005-2020, Chairman and President, 2015-2018
Pivotal Acquisition Corporation II
New York, NY, Independent Board Member, 2019-2020
Ross Initiative for Sports Equality (RISE)
Director at Large, New York, NY, 2015-2020
ADL, Sports Leadership Council
New York, NY, Member, 2017-2019
Grand Slam Board
London, UK, Member, 2013-2018
USTA Foundation
New York, NY, Director at Large, 2005-2015
Women's Tennis Association (WTA)
St. Petersburg, FL, Board Member, 1990-1998
Awards:
Forbes Magazine
Most Powerful Women in Sports List, 2018
Ebony Magazine
Power 100 List, 2017
Forbes Magazine
Most Powerful Women in Sports List, 2017
NAMIC
Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award, 2017
Adweek Magazine
The Most Powerful Women in Sports List, 2017
Adweek Magazine
The Most Powerful Women in Sports List, 2016
Boys & Girls Club of American Hall of Fame Inductee
2016
25 Most Influential Black Women
2015
Sam Lacy Pioneer Award
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), 2009
Spirit of Harlem Award
2007
Women’s Tennis Association Althea Gibson Achievement Award
2003
Northwestern University Hall of Fame
1998
Women’s Tennis Association Player Service Award
1989
NCAA Doubles Champion Northwestern University
1986
“You will not find a more relatable, humorous and authentic leader than Katrina. Her trailblazing journey of resilience and success as "the first" from the community courts to the top of tennis leadership serves as an inspiration for us all.”
STACEY ALLASTER, USTA CHIEF EXECUTIVE, PROFESSIONAL TENNIS