Former CEO, Dallas Mavericks
Cynthia Marshall: Biography at a Glance
- Cynthia (Cynt) Marshall retired as CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, where she made a lasting impact as a transformational leader. During her tenure, she helped reshape the organization’s culture and guided the team to become a model of excellence across the NBA.
- Before joining the Mavericks, Marshall spent 36 years at AT&T, rising to the role of Senior Vice President – Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer. Under her leadership, the company earned numerous accolades, including a Top 3 ranking on Diversity Inc’s Top 50 Companies and a spot on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For.
- Marshall has been widely recognized for her contributions to business and sports, named one of Adweek’s 30 Most Powerful Women in Sports and a 2019 Women of Power Legacy Award honoree by Black Enterprise, among many other honors.
- She is also the author of You've Been Chosen, a memoir that chronicles her journey of resilience and faith as she overcame personal and professional challenges, including domestic violence, cancer, and systemic obstacles, to lead with strength and purpose.
Media
- Official Site: Dallas Mavericks
- Book: You've Been Chosen: Thriving Through the Unexpected
- Today Show: "Mavericks CEO Cynthia Marshall on being a courtside trailblazer"
- CNN: "The Dallas Mavericks were plagued by a toxic culture. She is turning it ar...
- Bloomberg: "The Dallas Mavericks’ New CEO Is Cleaning Up a #MeToo Mess"
Videos
Biography
Cynthia Marshall brought transformative leadership to the Dallas Mavericks after being named CEO in March 2018. With a focus on transparency, trust, and values-based leadership, she led a bold cultural shift within the organization. Her vision was to build a world-class workplace rooted in integrity, respect, and accountability—and she began implementing that change within her first 100 days.
Over the course of her tenure, Marshall helped shape the Mavericks into a model organization in the NBA. Her impact was the culmination of a 36-year career at AT&T, where she held senior leadership roles and was widely recognized for driving innovation, operational excellence, and cultural evolution.
Prior to her joining the Mavs, Cynt founded Marshalling Resources, a consulting firm specializing in Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Culture Transformation, and overall optimization of people resources. Upon the company naming its first Chief Inclusion Officer in June 2017, Cynt worked with The Dow Chemical Company to develop and implement a strategy for institutionalizing an inclusive culture.
Cynt’s notoriety began many years ago as a young Officer at AT&T and grew exponentially when she served as Senior Vice President – Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer at AT&T. There she was responsible for identifying and developing leaders, aligning employees with the company’s vision and priorities, overseeing major business unit HR support, performance development, employee engagement, skills transformation initiatives, EEO and Affirmative Action. Cynt also led the team that created a world-class Diversity and Inclusion culture, landing AT&T in the top 3 on Diversity Inc’s 2017 Top 50 list of companies. She also spearheaded the work that for the first time placed AT&T on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2017, one of only two Fortune 50 companies.
Before her SVP-Human Resources and Chief Diversity Office roles, Cynt served as President-AT&T North Carolina where she became the first African-American chair of the North Carolina State Chamber of Commerce. Prior to her North Carolina appointment, Cynt held a variety of executive line and staff, technical and non-technical positions at AT&T and its predecessor companies.
Widely recognized for her visionary leadership and ability to get things done Cynt is the recipient of several honors and awards. Most recently, Cynt was touted as one of Adweek’s 30 Most Powerful Women in Sports and was selected as one of the 2019 Women of Power Legacy Award honorees by Black Enterprise. In 2017, she was honored by The Network Journal as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Business. In 2017, Cynt was awarded the ATHENA® Leadership Program Award by the Dallas Regional Chamber, which recognizes exceptional women who excel in their careers, contribute to their communities and develop women leaders. This annual award is presented by chambers of commerce, women’s organizations, and universities worldwide. In 2019 and three times prior, she was selected as one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Corporate America” by Black Enterprise magazine and named to Ebony magazine’s 2016 “Power 100” list. In 2014, industry analysts and members of the press conferred on Cynt the HR Executive of the Year - Best in Biz Award. For her efforts on behalf of the people of North Carolina, in 2013 Cynt received the prestigious Leadership North Carolina Governor’s Award, which honors just one citizen each year for lifetime achievements.
Cynt is the author of You've Been Chosen: Thriving Through the Unexpected, a memoir detailing how she has beaten the odds in both her personal and professional life. She details overcoming her father's domestic abuse, experiences with overt and subtle racism, a cancer diagnosis, and more.
Cynt graduated from the University of California-Berkeley with degrees in Business Administration and Human Resources Management and holds four honorary Doctorate degrees. She has chaired a variety of non-profit boards and is currently on the board of Dallas CASA, Dallas Regional Chamber, Texas Women’s Foundation, and a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC).
The fourth of six children, Cynt grew up in Richmond, California, and lives in the Dallas area. She and her husband, Kenneth Marshall, have four adult children.
Topics
Leading with Heart
During this session, Cynt Marshall will talk about her life and role as SVP of HR and Chief Diversity Officer at AT&T, her move to CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, her strategy for values-based leadership, and why putting people first matters the most. She’ll also share the difference between diversity and inclusion, why both are important for success, and why HR is the heart of any organization. Cynt’s vibrant attitude and enthusiasm for her job is contagious, and she’ll have you dancing by the time the 45 minutes are up.
You've Been Chosen: Thriving Through the Unexpected
One of the most influential Black business leaders in America today, Cynt Marshall offers hope and practical guidance for navigating life’s most difficult challenges. Having spent her entire life beating personal and professional odds, Cynt is passionate about showing everyone she meets how they are uniquely equipped to thrive.
Cynt shares “the good, the great, the bad, and the ugly parts” of her journey through both cancer and everything that led up to it. Demonstrating her deep faith and positivity, she inspires audiences and encourages them to believe that even their hardest battles were chosen for them - and that they will ultimately bring them to where they are supposed to be.
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FAQs
How do I book Cynthia Marshall for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Cynthia Marshall to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Cynthia Marshall's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Cynthia Marshall’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Cynthia Marshall in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Cynthia Marshall's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Cynthia Marshall's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Cynthia Marshall, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Cynthia Marshall's speaking fee?
Cynthia Marshall's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Cynthia Marshall's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Cynthia Marshall's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Cynthia Marshall as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Cynthia Marshall as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Cynthia Marshall's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Cynthia Marshall's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Cynthia Marshall for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Cynthia Marshall speaking engagements.
Official contact for Cynthia Marshall bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/cynthia-marshall
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Cynthia Marshall.
Is Cynthia Marshall available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Cynthia Marshall speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Cynthia Marshall's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
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- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Cynthia Marshall's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Cynthia Marshall's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Cynthia Marshall for?
Book Cynthia Marshall for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Cynthia Marshall customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
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Cynthia Marshall engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Cynthia Marshall can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Cynthia Marshall booking information and availability
Check Cynthia Marshall's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Cynthia Marshall for your preferred event date.
Book Cynthia Marshall keynote speaker through CAA
Book Cynthia Marshall through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Cynthia Marshall, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Cynthia Marshall's calendar
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Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Cynthia Marshall for your next event.
Will Cynthia Marshall speak at private events?
Yes, Cynthia Marshall speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Cynthia Marshall's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Cynthia Marshall?
CAA Speakers responds to Cynthia Marshall booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Cynthia Marshall?
Book Cynthia Marshall 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Cynthia Marshall pricing information?
Get Cynthia Marshall pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.