In the high-stakes worlds of corporate America and professional sports, Cathy Engelbert is a formidable presence. As the first commissioner of the WNBA, she’s the visionary steering the league to unprecedented heights, and before that, she shattered glass ceilings as the first female CEO of Deloitte. The pressure in these roles is immense, with every decision scrutinized. Through it all, Engelbert has consistently credited a strong, supportive family unit as her foundation. Her success is a powerful testament to how a fulfilling career and a rich personal life can not only coexist but can fuel one another.
For Engelbert, home isn’t a separate part of her life that she manages to fit in; it’s the core that enables her to lead with confidence. She has often stated that “family’s the most important thing to me,” a principle that guides her even amidst a demanding schedule. Her journey offers a refreshingly realistic look at modern leadership, where success is not about choosing between boardroom and living room, but about integrating the two with the help of a dedicated partner and a shared commitment to their children.
You Might Like: The Military Service of Pete Hegseth: A Detailed Look
Her Partner in Life: Ed Engelbert
Behind this trailblazing woman is a man who has been her steadfast partner for years. Cathy Engelbert is married to Ed Engelbert, a West Point graduate who served in the U.S. Army. While Ed prefers to keep his life out of the public spotlight, his role within the household is well-known and crucial. He is far from just a supportive spouse in the background; he is an active co-pilot in their family’s journey.
In a heartfelt Father’s Day message shared by Deloitte, Cathy poured praise on her better half, writing, “I’m thankful for and proud of my husband Ed, who is a wonderful father to our kids… I could not be ‘doing it all’ without his constant support, despite his similarly demanding career and travel schedule.”
This public acknowledgment highlights the true partnership at the center of their marriage. Their relationship is built on mutual support, with both navigating demanding careers while ensuring their family remains the top priority. Sharing a love for sports, Ed is a passionate fan of the New York Giants and the New York Yankees, adding another layer of common ground to their lives.
Building a Team of Their Own: Julia and Tommy
Cathy and Ed Engelbert have two children, a daughter named Julia and a son named Tommy. As a mother of two teenagers, Cathy has always been open about the beautiful chaos of balancing a high-powered career with parenting. She has joked about the evolution of her role, noting that with teenagers, she sometimes feels like a “chauffeur, a chef and an ATM,” all while laughing about the fact that her arrival home might not always get a dramatic welcome from her independent kids.
Also See: Who Is Alexander Davante Dickey?
Rather than keeping her work and personal lives siloed, Engelbert masterfully blends them. She has actively turned her son into a big WNBA fan and took her daughter to a game at the Barclays Center, where she loved the experience. By bringing her kids into her professional world, she not only creates quality time but also leads by example, showing them—and her fans—that you can nurture a family while passionately pursuing ambitious goals.
This commitment was clear even when her children were younger; she once famously committed to attending 70 percent of her daughter’s lacrosse games in a single season, a bold promise for a new CEO that she was determined to keep.
For Cathy Engelbert, life is a team sport. The same collaborative spirit she likely learned on the basketball courts at Lehigh University applies to her home life. With her husband Ed as her key teammate, they have raised a family while both pursuing meaningful careers. Her story is not one of a solitary leader, but of a woman who thrives because she is part of a strong, loving unit. It’s a powerful reminder that even the most powerful executives are, at their core, part of a team back home that makes it all possible.
