Renee Montgomery: Vice President and Part Owner of the Atlanta Dream

In this inspiring episode of Second Life, Hilary Kerr interviews Renee Montgomery, former WNBA player and now co-owner and vice president of the Atlanta Dream, marking her as the first former WNBA player to hold both roles. Renee shares her journey from a young girl in West Virginia with a dream of playing college basketball to becoming a two-time All-American at UConn and a 11-year WNBA veteran. She discusses the mental and emotional challenges of transitioning from college to pro basketball, including being benched despite All-Star honors, being traded mid-season while battling illness, and opting out of the 2020 season to focus on social justice activism during the George Floyd protests. Her decision drew global attention and support from figures like LeBron James and Michelle Obama. In 2021, she retired to pursue ownership, becoming a trailblazer in sports leadership. As a team owner, she’s transformed the Atlanta Dream’s culture, prioritizing stability, fan experience, and inclusive leadership. Beyond basketball, Renee has launched her fashion brand C-Suite 21 and co-founded Think Tank Productions, while also mentoring elite athletes through Chanel’s CC League. Her story is one of resilience, authenticity, and the power of leveraging lived experience to lead with purpose. Key takeaways include: 1) Embrace setbacks as growth opportunities—Renee’s losses in college prepared her for the grind of the pros. 2) Authenticity is a superpower: her unfiltered passion as a media analyst sets her apart. 3) Leadership comes from lived experience—her ability to connect with players stems from having been through the same struggles. 4) Pivoting requires research, patience, and a safety net—don’t leap without testing the waters. 5) Stay connected: networking isn’t optional, even when you’re focused on performance. 6) Your past is your preparation—every challenge built her resilience. 7) The future of women’s sports is bright, and visibility matters: representation inspires the next generation. 8) You don’t need to be perfect to lead—your journey, flaws and all, is your strength.