Leadership Tuesdays: Blazing Trails...Laurel Richie

"I was just raised to believe that I could do anything. And anything that I put effort and heart into, I would be successful. And now looking back I see all the ways in which my parents blazed those trails seemingly effortlessly, and I know that's not true now. But growing up they made it look very easy and sort of just handed that mantle over to myself and my sisters and brother."

--Laurel J. Richie, President, Women's National Basketball Association

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. Today we feature Laurel J. Richie, the first African American president of the WNBA and the first African American to head a U.S. professional sports league. She was named to her current position in April 2011.

On May 18, 2012, the WNBA will kick-off its 16th season as Ms. Richie nears her first anniversary. With play as competitive as ever, teams filled with the nation's top female basketball players, and some of the most passionate fans around, Richie is building upon the league's current success. And although she has no previous connection to the sport, this seasoned business executive brings a wealth of marketing experience in consumer marketing, corporate branding, public relations, and corporate management.

In today's video, Ms. Richie talks about the current state of the WNBA and what she hopes to accomplish in moving the league forward. To learn more about Laurel Richie and view the Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.