Shelly Cayette-Weston will receive BLACK ENTERPRISE’s prestigious 2026 Luminary Award at the Women of Power Summit. The businesswoman has already made a slam dunk in sports leadership throughout her career. She currently serves as President of Business Operations for the NBA’s Hornets Sports & Entertainment.
The award recognizes Cayette-Weston’s groundbreaking achievements as a woman leader in traditionally male-dominated sports. Her decades of expertise have shaped franchises and opened doors for women in executive positions. The honor will be presented at the 2026 Women of Power Summit in Las Vegas.
Leading Hornets Sports & Entertainment With Vision
Cayette-Weston took over as President of Business Operations for HSE in July 2024. She oversees all Hornets teams within the over-three-decades-old franchise with remarkable skill. Although women leaders remain rare in professional basketball, Cayette-Weston thrives in this challenging role.
Her responsibilities extend beyond just the Charlotte Hornets to their G-League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. Additionally, she manages operations for the newly renovated Spectrum Center. Her leadership brings dynamic events like concerts and NCAA tournaments to the Carolinas region.
Historic First as Cleveland Cavaliers Executive
Before joining the Hornets, Cayette-Weston made history with the Cleveland Cavaliers organization. She served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for the team. Most significantly, she became the first Black woman to ever hold the latter title within the NBA.
Her accomplishments during this tenure went far beyond breaking diversity barriers with symbolic gestures. According to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, she launched new jersey patch partnerships for the team. She also established a client engagement team and oversaw development of a new practice facility.
Expanding Community Outreach and International Presence
Cayette-Weston’s leadership philosophy emphasizes integrating teams into their extended communities while building international platforms. During her 12 years with Cleveland, she significantly expanded the franchise’s youth sports outreach programs. This dual focus on local engagement and global branding drove Cleveland’s lucrative rise in the NBA.
Her innovative approach to sports business earned her multiple industry recognitions and accolades. She received the Crain’s Cleveland Business Forty Under 40 honor in 2019. That same year, she earned the Sports Business Journal Game Changer award for her transformative work.
Building Young Franchises Toward Championship Glory
Since her Cleveland success, Cayette-Weston has continued to skyrocket in the sports leadership field. She specializes in scaling young franchises as they pursue glory and titles each season. Her strategic vision helps teams maximize both competitive performance and business operations simultaneously.
Her track record demonstrates consistent ability to elevate franchises through innovative commercial strategies. She combines revenue growth with community engagement to create sustainable success models. This balanced approach makes her invaluable to organizations seeking to compete at championship levels.
Commitment to Social Causes Beyond Basketball
Outside of her basketball career, Cayette-Weston gives back to important social causes through board service. She serves on the College Now board, supporting educational opportunities for young people. Additionally, she contributes to the Commission on Economic Inclusion, addressing financial equity issues.
Her involvement with the American Heart Association demonstrates commitment to public health initiatives. This dedication to community service extends her impact far beyond the sports world. Cayette-Weston uses her platform to create positive change across multiple sectors of society.
From Tulane Basketball Player to Hall of Fame Inductee
The New Orleans native has her own impressive history on the basketball court as well. She played women’s basketball at Tulane while earning her bachelor’s degree from the Louisiana institution. Her playing career laid the foundation for her deep understanding of the sport.
The accomplished player was inducted into Tulane’s Hall of Fame in 2024, recognizing her athletic achievements. She also received the Don and Lora Peters Career Achievement Award that same year. These honors celebrate both her college success and subsequent professional accomplishments in sports business.
Women of Power Summit Celebrates Trailblazing Leadership
Cayette-Weston will grace the stage among other trailblazing women at the empowering summit in Las Vegas. The Women of Power Summit brings together influential leaders from various industries to share insights. Registration for attendees hoping to witness this celebration of excellence remains available now.
The Luminary Award specifically honors women who have achieved exceptional success in their fields. Recipients demonstrate leadership, innovation, and commitment to opening doors for others behind them. Cayette-Weston embodies all these qualities through her groundbreaking work in professional sports.
Setting the Standard for Women in Sports Executive Roles
Cayette-Weston’s career trajectory serves as inspiration for aspiring women leaders in sports business. Her success proves that talent and strategic vision transcend gender barriers in professional athletics. She continues breaking new ground while mentoring the next generation of female executives.
Her leadership with the Hornets positions her to make even greater impact in coming years. The franchise benefits from her proven ability to grow revenue while strengthening community connections. Most importantly, her presence in the C-suite demonstrates that women belong at sports’ highest decision-making levels.