Bio

Catherine “Cathy” Bradley is a well-respected sports marketing and philanthropy professional. Cathy is known for her strong work ethic, professionalism, and thought-leadership in corporate giving, grant making strategy, and youth sports facilities.

Cathy’s first job in professional sports was an internship with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club. From 1991-1992, Cathy worked in the front office headed by then-owner George W. Bush, administrating a group sales loyalty program and working in the scoreboard control room. 

Cathy landed her first full-time job in 1992, hired by Calvin Hill, former NFL running back and vice president of administrative personnel with the Baltimore Orioles Baseball Club. She supported Calvin’s industry-leading diversity and inclusion initiatives. She also provided administrative assistance to Larry Lucchino, then-president of the Orioles, who assigned her to the 1993 All-Star Game planning committee to manage the popular All-Star Game “goodie bag” and to plan the All-Star Game Gala. Cathy also facilitated the team’s fantasy camps and cruises.

In 1994-1995, Cathy worked for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Department, developing the athlete registration process and advising the results system team and competition managers.

Cathy returned to baseball when she was hired by the family of Allen H. “Bud” Selig, current Commissioner Emeritus of MLB, as the corporate affairs coordinator for the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club. From 1996-2000, she activated sponsorship agreements, promotions and programs. She was promoted to manager, overseeing the inaugural promotions staff and the team’s first skilled, female, on-field baseball assistants. She produced and directed in-stadium entertainment and pre-game ceremonies.

In 2000, Cathy was hired by Rob Manfred, current MLB commissioner, and Don Fehr, former executive director of the MLBPA, as the executive director of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, a unique, joint initiative. Over 19 years, Cathy built the program into a trusted industry resource to fund youth baseball and softball programs and facilities, contributing to the nationally reported increase of nearly 3 million players from 2013 to 2018. Her efforts resulted in the distribution of $37M to over 1,000 projects around the world. Under her leadership, MLB and the MLBPA increased the original $10M commitment to more than $40M.

Cathy used her own discretion to oversee an operating budget exceeding $400,000. She designed a custom, online request and database to streamline the process and reduce operating costs. Cathy managed a lean administrative staff, maximizing the experience of her staff and providing professional development opportunities.

Cathy adeptly managed an evolving Board of Directors comprised of MLB and the MLBPA’s senior leadership, chaired by Roland W. Betts, chairman of Chelsea Piers Management. Cathy established evaluation criteria, reporting procedures, and policies to achieve the objectives of the Board, achieving a 90% grant approval rate from the Board. 

Cathy evaluated thousands of funding requests, conducting due diligence for program and construction projects. She traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally, conducting 500+ site visits. Cathy was instrumental in the development of new facilities in historically non-traditional baseball countries including the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Czech Republic, Serbia, the Netherlands, and South Africa.

To further the fund’s mission, Cathy created league-wide initiatives including the collection and distribution of equipment to children in need and field maintenance education materials and clinics. She cultivated corporate partnerships with multinational companies, introducing a “preferred provider” program to offer additional assistance to applicants.

Cathy produced press releases, social media content, impact reports, and a capacity-building resource blog. She served as the fund’s spokesperson for all media opportunities and professional conferences. 

During her time at MLB, Cathy worked closely with the MLB groundskeepers, contributing to the planning of the group’s annual conference and community field renovation project for 12 years. As a result, Cathy was asked to serve on the Sports Turf Managers Association’s Foundation for Safer Athletic Fields Board of Directors and was later nominated to Board chair. 

Cathy oversaw the distribution of a $10 million MLB/MLBPA Disaster Relief Fund after the 9/11 tragedy. She served as the liaison to the National September 11th Memorial & Museum and Scholarship America for 17 years.

In January 2020, Cathy joined Musco Sports Lighting, a global leader in sports, transportation, and infrastructure lighting, as the program development manager, bringing her extensive network and expertise in program activation and cross-functional collaboration to Musco’s marketing department. Cathy advised the ownership and senior leaders on philanthropic initiatives and managed relationships with national partners including MLB and the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA.)

In 2021, Cathy was invited to join the NRPA Business Council Planning Committee and consultant to develop a new initiative to build relationships between NRPA leadership and business sector allies. Building upon the successful launch, NRPA hired Cathy as the interim senior director of development to create a framework to grow corporate and institutional funding and sponsorship. 

From 2022-2024, Cathy oversees individual and institutional giving as the vice president of development and philanthropy at New York Road Runners, the nonprofit and running industry leader that offers the physical and mental health benefits of running to people of all ages and abilities throughout NYC's five boroughs. She current serves as a consultant to the organization.

Cathy strives to build and maintain a diverse professional network. She was selected to the U.S.-Japan Foundation‘s leadership program in 2007, a highly competitive, professional exchange program with international professionals from various industries and disciplines. She continues to participate in the program as a fellow and class ambassador.

Cathy is an advocate for historical preservation and education, currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Historic House Trust of New York City (HHT) and the Lewis H. Latimer House Museum (LLHM) in Flushing, Queens.  In 2021, Cathy was named to the HHT Executive Committee as the Co-chair of the Governance & Nominating Committee.

Cathy values the importance of mentorship, maintaining a long-standing relationship with her alma mater. She mentored students in the Griffiths Leadership Society for Women and addressed sports management students in the Mizzou Department of Parks, Recreation and Sports in 2018.

Cathy volunteers to share her professional expertise. She was appointed to the advisory council of Play Global!, a nonprofit that teaches baseball to coaches and youth in developing countries and areas of conflict. Cathy also offers pro bono consultation to nonprofits through the Taproot Foundation.

Cathy attended the University of Missouri, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1991, double majoring in marketing and administrative management. Cathy received a full scholarship in the inaugural class of George C. Brooks Scholars for minority students. She was active on campus, voted the captain of the prestigious student group selected to host football recruits on game days and as a marketing intern in the Mizzou Athletic Department. 

Cathy was raised in Macomb, Illinois, where her father, William Bradley, was a professor of physical education at Western Illinois University and the coordinator of one of the country’s first sports management programs. 

Cathy is the youngest of four children. Her brother, Phil Bradley, played professional baseball for seven years in the major leagues and is currently a special assistant at the MLBPA. 

In her free time, Cathy is an "advanced-beginner" guitar player and an avid theater-goer. She prioritizes health and fitness, staying active with running, resistance training, yoga, running, golf, and biking. Cathy is a two-time, New York City Marathon finisher and a Chicago Marathon finisher.  

Cathy is single and currently resides in New York City.

May 2024