Chicago Sky Co-Owner Nadia Rawlinson On How a ‘Hard Left Turn’ In Her Career Led Her to the WNBA (Exclusive)

**Nadia Rawlinson: From Tech Executive to Co-Owner of the Chicago Sky**

Nadia Rawlinson’s career journey has been anything but conventional. With a background steeped in technology and human resources, her recent leap into the world of women’s basketball as the co-owner and operating chairman of the Chicago Sky surprised many in the industry. In a recent interview with *PEOPLE*, the 47-year-old discussed her unexpected transition from Silicon Valley to sports, highlighting how this opportunity felt like a homecoming for the Chicagoland native.

Rawlinson’s previous roles include prominent positions such as Chief People Officer for Slack and Chief Human Resources Officer for Live Nation Entertainment. Reflecting on her career shift, she noted with a chuckle that few anticipated her move into the sports sector. “I made the transition to sports coming from a human capital background, and I think that was a hard left turn that no one predicted. I was in the C-suites of tech companies running HR and then I go into sports?” she remarked.

At first glance, Rawlinson’s pivot to the WNBA might seem disconnected from her past experiences. However, she explained that sports are inherently about people and relationships. “Sports is fundamentally a human business,” she stated, elaborating on how her expertise in developing workplace culture has seamless applications in the realm of athletics. “How do you get the most out of people towards a specific goal?” has become a guiding question for her work with the Sky.

Since joining the franchise four seasons ago, Rawlinson has cultivated a genuine passion for basketball, a sport that has been central to her life since childhood. Growing up in Chicago during the iconic Michael Jordan era, she fondly recalls the electrifying atmosphere surrounding the Chicago Bulls. “It was an otherworldly time,” she reflected. She even confessed to ditching school to attend the Bulls’ 1997 NBA Championship parade, with a Sweet 16 birthday celebration hosted at the United Center.

Despite her initial reservations about pursuing a career in basketball, Rawlinson recognised that this opportunity was a convergence of her past experiences and lifelong interests. “That’s also the universe talking to you,” she mused. “There are certain things that come together to make your aspirations and hopes come true. And to be a part of the team that’s in my hometown? I mean, I couldn’t have wished for anything better.”

In her role with the Chicago Sky, Rawlinson is focused on returning the team to championship form following their historic WNBA title in 2021. Beyond competitive success, she has also prioritised creating a safer environment for players. One of her significant initiatives includes a pioneering partnership with Moonshot, an online security company, aimed at combating the abuse that female athletes often face in the digital space.

While Rawlinson did not participate in organised sports during her youth, she has maintained a deep respect for athletes and their challenges. This understanding has been further enriched during her time with the Sky, where she has developed a greater appreciation for the physical and mental demands placed on professional players. “I really care about women,” she said, emphasising the importance of empowering women not only in sports but across all professional fields.

Looking ahead, Rawlinson acknowledged her desire to contribute to something larger than herself, striving to make a meaningful impact beyond the confines of the standard workday. Her commitment to the Sky and the WNBA speaks to this ambition. “The future is unknowable, and that’s the exciting part,” she said while contemplating the league’s potential for growth and evolution.

As the WNBA continues to gain prominence, Rawlinson expressed enthusiasm for being part of the future of women’s sports. “We’re creating the future right now, and we’re defining it for what it should be,” she concluded. With her unique background and unwavering dedication, Rawlinson is poised to influence not just the Chicago Sky but the broader sport landscape as well.