Alisha Valavanis

Alisha Valavanis is an American businesswoman who is the current president and CEO of the WNBA team Seattle Storm.

Early life Alisha Valavanis was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, United States, to parents Debbie Hamre and Spero Valavanis. She started playing basketball at age 4. She has a twin sister named Alexa Benson-Valavanis, with whom she played basketball growing up.

Her father, Spero Valavanis, was the lead architect on the Seattle Storm's training facility, the team that she now leads.

College career Valavanis was recruited alongside her sister Alexa to play basketball at Chico State University for the Wildcats by then-head coach Mary Anne Lazzarini. She played at CSU from 1995 to 2000. By the time she graduated in 2000, she led the program's all-time three-pointers with 139. Storm alumnus Sue Bird praised Valavanis' ability to connect with everyone in the organization and her personableness.

Awards and honors Year Organization NameNotes 2016 Washington Diversity Council Washington Leadership Excellence Award Chico State University Distinguished Alumni 2017 Puget Sound Business Journal Outstanding Voice For her commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion 2018 Women of Influence 2019 Power 100 List 2020 2021 2018 Seattle Rising Brand Stars 2019 Adweek The 30 Most Powerful Women in Sports 2019 Sports Business Journal Game Changers