CHARLOTTE – Shelly Cayette-Weston, president of business operations for Hornets Sports & Entertainment, will deliver the keynote address at Queens University of Charlotte’s 167th commencement ceremony.
The ceremony starts at 10 a.m. May 9 in Curry Arena.
Cayette-Weston stepped into her current role at Hornets Sports & Entertainment in 2024. She oversees the strategic success of the Charlotte Hornets, the Greensboro Swarm and Spectrum Center.
Her career spans nearly 20 years, including a 12-year tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where she rose to executive vice president and chief commercial officer. She was recognized by Sports Business Journal as a “Game Changer” in 2019 and “Forty Under 40” in 2021.
She has served on the boards of Cuyahoga Community College, the College Now Board and the American Heart Association.
“She is a testament to the power of vision, resilience and community commitment,” said Jesse Cureton, university president. “As a leader who has consistently broken barriers in the NBA and beyond, she represents the courageous leadership and excellence we challenge our graduates to carry into the world.”
Queens and the Charlotte Hornets share a recent history of collaboration. In summer 2025, Queens hosted the team in Curry Arena while Spectrum Center underwent renovations, providing the team with a home-away-from-home.
“Queens University of Charlotte plays a vital role in shaping the leaders who strengthen our city and our region,” Cayette-Weston said. “It’s an honor to celebrate this year’s graduates and the impact they will make as they carry forward the university’s commitment to service, purpose and community.”
On the web: queens.edu/commencement