Katrina Adams
Global Speaker, Author, Analyst & Leader
Katrina Adams
Global Speaker, Author, Analyst & Leader
Biography
Katrina Adams has built a distinguished career defined by leadership, innovation, and a lasting
impact on global sport. She made history as the first African American and the first former
professional player to serve as Chair and President of the United States Tennis Association, a
role she held from 2015 to 2018. During her tenure, she led the opening of the USTA National
Campus, oversaw the transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and
expanded access to tennis in underserved communities nationwide.
A former professional athlete, Adams competed on the WTA Tour for 12 years, capturing 20
career doubles titles. In recognition of her impact on sport and society, she received an honorary
Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Northwestern University in 2024 and was honored with
the International Olympic Committee Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champions
Award in 2023 for her advocacy and leadership in advancing equity in sports. Most recently, she
was elected Honorary Life Vice President of the International Tennis Federation, following eight
years of service as Vice President.
Adams has held numerous influential governance roles, including serving as ITF Chair of
the Billie Jean King Cup and the Advantage All Committees. She has also served on the
Executive Board of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Billie Jean King Cup Limited
Board, and currently serves as Chair of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction
Committee. In addition, Adams is the Executive Director and President of the Harlem Junior
Tennis and Education Program and serves on several private-sector boards, including Athletes
Unlimited.
A sought-after global speaker and respected media commentator, Adams is also the author of the
debut novel Own the Arena, published in February 2021.
Speaker Videos
Impact to My Life
Sheros
Tennis Champion Katrina Adams Talks About Her New Book | GMA
Sport Has the Power to Change the World
Leaving My Legacy Behind
Women Rising
Day 2 Katrina Adams
The Life of Tennis Champion Althea Gibson
How to Own 'Your' Arena, when you're the 'ONLY' one | Katrina Adams | TEDxBoston
From Tennis Court to the C-Suite | PBS Newshour
Paving the Way for Black Women on the Court | CBS Chicago
Speech Topics
Leading from the Inside Out: Building a Culture of Excellence
In Own the Arena, Katrina Adams shares her journey from professional tennis player to groundbreaking executive — and the lessons she learned about leading with strength, authenticity, and purpose. As the first Black president of the U.S. Tennis Association and the first former professional player to hold that role, Adams didn’t just lead an organization — she reshaped its culture.
This keynote explores how great leaders build cultures rooted in respect and resilience. Through stories of leadership under pressure and examples of transforming institutions from within, audiences will learn what it means to create environments where everyone — regardless of background — can thrive, contribute, and win together.
Key take-aways:
- A roadmap for creating cultures of excellence through leadership.
- Insights on authentic leadership, decision-making, and sustainable change.
- Inspiration to lead boldly, shape culture intentionally, and leave a legacy that lasts.
Ideal audiences:
- Conferences on culture, leadership and organizational development
- Women’s leadership conferences
- Emerging leaders and young professionals
- Sports, education and community leadership organizations
Owning the Arena: Leadership Lessons on Confidence & Courage
In this keynote, attendees will explore what it truly means to “own the arena” — to show up with confidence, lead with authenticity, and thrive under pressure, even when you are the only one who looks, thinks, or leads like you in the room. Drawing from Katrina Adams’ journey from professional tennis player to trailblazing executive and leader, this session unpacks the principles of effective, inclusive, and courageous leadership that apply across industries and stages of life.
Through compelling stories and real-life examples of leading as “the only one” and exploring core themes of confidence, resilience, owning your own voice, and winning with grace, Katrina will help audiences understand that leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about breaking free from limiting beliefs and constantly striving to outperform who you were yesterday.
Key take-aways:
- Practical tools for building confidence and resilience in leadership roles.
- A mindset framework for turning challenges into growth opportunities.
- Inspiration to lead boldly and authentically — in any “arena.”
Ideal audiences:
- Corporate and community leaders
- Women’s leadership networks
- Emerging leaders and young professionals
- Corporate culture and engagement events
- Sports and performance organizations
Game, Set, Resilience: Thriving Through Change and Challenge
In Own the Arena, Katrina Adams shares her remarkable journey from tennis champion to trailblazing executive — a story defined by resilience, adaptability, and courage. This keynote explores how to stay strong, composed, and focused when life serves up unexpected change. Whether in business, sports, or personal growth, Adams’ lessons illuminate how to turn pressure into power and setbacks into comebacks.
Through vivid storytelling and actionable insights exploring themes of developing your “resilience muscle” to deal with uncertainty, this session empowers audiences to embrace change, cultivate resilience, and “own their arena” no matter how unpredictable the game becomes.
Key take-aways:
- A mindset framework for staying resilient and adaptable in the face of rapid change.
- Practical tools for navigating uncertainty with confidence and composure.
- Inspiration to lead with grace, grit, and growth — no matter the circumstances.
Ideal audiences:
- Corporate teams managing transformation or change
- Emerging and established leaders
- Women in leadership roles
- Sports, education, or performance-based organizations
- Conferences focused on leadership, resilience, or professional development
Testimonials
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