Leading Teams on and off the Court

As Phoenix prepares to host the 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four, one City employee says the moment represents far more than a major sporting event.

Beth Gattuso, an organizational development consultant with the City of Phoenix, credits basketball with shaping her leadership journey.

“Basketball and sports really has given me a lot,” Gattuso said. “It allowed me to go to college. It allowed me to see the world.”

Gattuso played in high school and college before coaching the sport, a path that eventually took her all over the world. But she says the lessons that stuck were not about the scoreboard.

“Creating experiences and developing communication and connection with people, that is really what is important,” she said.

After two decades with the City, Gattuso now focuses on developing leaders across departments and helping build strong, collaborative teams behind the scenes. As women’s basketball takes center stage in Phoenix, she sees the broader progress reflected in her own career.

“When I was growing up, there were not a lot of women in leadership roles,” she said. “There have been a lot of developmental programs and mentorships. I have seen it. I know women’s sports has seen it. There are a lot more people in leadership roles, especially in administrative roles. And I only see it getting stronger.”

Through programs such as Mentor Phoenix, Gattuso now mentors emerging City leaders and hopes to open doors for the next generation.

“I am so grateful for everything that sports has given me,” she said.

As the 2026 Women’s Final Four shines a spotlight on women in athletics, Gattuso’s story shows how the influence of sports can extend far beyond the court and often shape a lifetime of leadership.