Donna Daniels, WNBA GM, Passes Away

Donna Daniels has made waves on the East Coast and now brings that success into San Francisco as part of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, who operate both Golden State Warriors and Prudential Center. Now, Donna serves as senior VP/GM of Chase Center in San Francisco under Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment’s purview.

She considers human resources her primary focus and diversity, equity, and inclusion her passion.

Early Life and Education

Donna Daniels didn’t fit the mold of traditional girls. While her mother encouraged her to dress up and go out more, Donna preferred playing softball and exploring nature instead.

She joins Ceres with years of leadership experience across non-profit, higher education, healthcare/life sciences and state government sectors such as Lasell University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts state government – including Lasell University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Currently she oversees human resources as well as diversity equity inclusion strategies at Ceres.

Former Executive Vice President of Prudential Center and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, she served in various roles from 2011-16, including Team Marketing and Business Operations Vice President. Additionally, she was recently honored as one of SBJ’s Game Changers.

Professional Career

Donna Daniels assumed she would remain on the hardcourt track after amassing 25 years of NBA experience, specialising in marketing and business operations at league headquarters as well as helping launch D-League teams and two WNBA squads.

She most recently served as Executive Vice President and Prudential Center General Manager of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, overseeing both Newark, NJ arena and Grammy Museum Experience. Additionally, she sits on both Lasell University and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute boards of directors.

She oversees all venue operations at the Warriors and Chase Center, such as security, guest services, engineering, facilities management and Thrive City – overseeing over 40 basketball games and numerous public-facing events annually.

Achievement and Honors

Due to restrictions imposed during the pandemic, services for Donna Daniels have been postponed until an appropriate time. Her family will make arrangements so the public may pay its respects at that time; until then you can remember her by planting a tree or sending flowers directly to them.

She has received recognition as both a 2020 VenuesNow Women of Influence and 2021 Sports Business Journal Game Changer, while ROI New Jersey and Crain’s New York have recognized her as a Notable Woman in Sports Business.

After 25 years in the NBA league office – serving as president of Roanoke Dazzle and helping launch two Women’s National Basketball Association teams – she assumed control at Prudential Center to oversee everything from security, guest services, parking and transportation services.

Personal Life

Daniels also makes time for her family and charitable work, serving on several boards like those at Lasell University and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as well as being appointed to join the Commonwealth Commission on Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

She began her professional sports career with the NBA and has experienced much satisfaction during her 30-year stint there. She prides herself in representing women in sports as an icon role model to young girls of today.

She now brings her expertise to the Warriors and Chase Center as well as its 11-acre Thrive City mixed-use district, coinciding with a pandemic and providing her an opportunity for growth and learning. Additionally, she serves on BB&T’s Board and boasts 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Net Worth

Although her exact net worth remains unknown, it is estimated to be in the millions. She is known to have executed numerous stock trades during her career and acquired significant assets outside of earnings alone.

Houpe Ministries was established by her, with over 29 years of education experience to her credit. Through her ministry she works tirelessly to reunite people back to God’s original plan for their lives and encourage them to accept boldly the purpose and destiny He has planned for each individual life.

She currently resides at 3502 Sequoia Cir, Waukesha WI 53188 for 9 years after moving there in January 2014. Prior to this move she resided at 1437 Rain Dance Trl in Nekoosa Wisconsin 54457.