Leading with Vision: From the Boardroom to the Court and the Vineyard
At Lehigh, leadership means turning ambition into meaningful impact. Cathy Engelbert ’86, CJ McCollum ’13 and Elise Esposito ’13 MS ’14 have created change felt beyond the glow of the spotlight.
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Beyond boardrooms and arenas, real leadership starts with values, curiosity and the confidence to pursue what matters. At Lehigh, leadership is defined by the drive to turn potential into purpose, to take bold ideas beyond campus and to create change that’s felt long after the spotlight fades
Three Lehigh alumni—Cathy Engelbert ’86, CJ McCollum ’13 and Elise Esposito ’13 MS’14—each forged different paths, yet share a common foundation. Their Lehigh experience helped shape how they lead, serve and innovate.
The story of CJ McCollum ’13 and Dr. Elise Esposito ’13 MS’14 began authentically. They met on Lehigh’s campus, where they shared ambition, curiosity and a grounded sense of purpose which helped bring them together.
CJ was a journalism major and rising basketball star. Elise studied behavioral neuroscience while balancing leadership roles as a founder of Peer Health Advisers, president of Healthy Hawks and a member of Gamma Phi Beta. Both were driven by a desire to do more for the communities around them.
What started as a connection between two Lehigh students evolved into a partnership grounded in mutual respect, shared values and a strong commitment to growth. Today, CJ and Elise are not only partners in life, marriage and parenting, they’re innovators and changemakers whose impact spans sports, media, healthcare - and wine.
CJ’s basketball career at Lehigh placed him in the national spotlight. He stayed at Lehigh to finish his degree, despite NBA projections. He chose to finish what he started, because being real means showing up fully.
The NBA was waiting for CJ after graduation. He was drafted 10th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, earned NBA Most Improved Player in 2016, led the league in free-throw percentage the following year, eventually became president of the National Basketball Players Association and has spent more than a decade as one of the league’s most reliable guards on the court.
Yet his passion for storytelling remained steady. His roots in journalism at The Brown and White led him to host the podcast Pull Up with CJ McCollum, sign with ESPN and produce The CJ McCollum Show, while writing for major publications.
Off the court, CJ continues to turn opportunity into access for others. In 2024, he opened the third CJ McCollum Dream Center, in Louisiana, providing real tools like books, technology and art supplies to inspire the next generation of dreamers. His journalism mentorship program, CJ’s Press Pass, gives high school students hands-on experience in media, opening real doors in the industry.
On March 16, 2012, the No. 15-seeded Lehigh Mountain Hawks stunned No. 2 Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The victory put Lehigh basketball in the national spotlight and launched the career of star guard CJ McCollum.
Dr. Elise Esposito ’13 MS’15 provides compassionate care through ThriveKids Student Wellness, a community-based program by Manning Family Children’s that delivers in-school health, mental health and behavioral support directly to students.
Since launching their first wine label with McCollum Heritage 91 in 2020, their vision has grown into a family legacy at McCollum Family Vineyards.
The first woman to lead a major U.S. professional services firm, Cathy Engelbert '86 rose through the ranks of Deloitte LLP to become its CEO.
Engelbert recently announced her retirement following seven successful years as the first-ever Commissioner of the WNBA,
Elise’s journey reflects a deep commitment to compassionate care. After graduating magna cum laude, she returned to Lehigh to pursue a master’s in healthcare systems engineering before completing a D.D.S. from Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine. Following a residency in Portland, Oregon, where she cared for medically complex patients, she went on to practice in an oncology clinic. In 2022, Elise joined the faculty at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. While she valued the opportunity to teach, her passion for direct patient care led her to Manning Family Children’s (formerly Children’s Hospital of New Orleans).
After the birth of their daughter, Elise became a dentist with ThriveKids, Manning Family’s nonprofit committed to expanding access to medical and dental care for underserved pediatric populations, where she continues to put her passion into action.
Together, in true Lehigh fashion, they’ve uncorked a new venture, launching the wine label McCollum Heritage 91. For CJ and Elise, Lehigh was more than a campus, it was the real beginning of a journey filled with purpose, partnership and passion.
If CJ and Elise represent how partnership can fuel impact, Cathy Engelbert ’86 represents the power of one determined leader to reshape systems and open doors for others as a visionary, trailblazer and game-changer.
Regardless of her role, Engelbert has consistently redefined what leadership looks like. She began a 33-year career in a male-dominated industry at Deloitte, rising through the ranks before eventually becoming the company’s CEO in 2015 leading some 70,000 employees in nearly 90 U.S. cities and India and nearly $15 billion in annual revenue. As CEO of Deloitte, she made history as the first woman to head a major U.S. professional services firm.
Engelbert retired from Deloitte only to make history again. She was appointed the WNBA’s first commissioner, assuming the role in July 2019. As commissioner, Engelbert has focused on implementing policies to support the well-being of players, including family leave policies, all while overseeing a growing game. In 2024, the league saw its highest attendance in 22 years and averaged 1.2 million viewers per game on ESPN, a 170% increase from 2023. The league has also secured new revenue-generating deals, including with ESPN.
Yet, as she always has, Engelbert is pushing boundaries and looking forward. Prior to her retirement at the end of 2026, Engelbert directed the expansion of the league from 12 teams to 18 by 2030, and predicts the league will eventually reach 20 teams.
Her influence extends to Lehigh, where it all started. In 2022, knowing she wanted to give back to her alma mater and help prepare the next generation of women, Engelbert made a $1 million gift to establish the Cathy Engelbert ’86 LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment, Athletics and Distinction) Scholars Program for women athletes. Inspired by Soaring Together, the celebration of 50 years of undergraduate coeducation at Lehigh, LEAD is a holistic program that empowers and impacts the development of women athletes, staff and girls in the Bethlehem community.
McCollum, Esposito and Engelbert exemplify how a Lehigh education inspires alumni to lead with vision, elevate others and turn barriers into opportunities.
