Chris Voelz, Executive Director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda, announced today the appointment of Dr. Deborah Antoine to the CWSA Board of Directors. Dr. Antoine, Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Sports Foundation joins the CWSA Board of Directors as a representative from the Women’s Sports Foundation.

"Deborah’s wealth of board experience will be a terrific asset to CWSA. She has a great non-profit mind and a wonderful heart for celebrating women in sport,” stated Voelz.

The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) program recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding female student-athletes in NCAA-member institutions throughout the United States. The CWSA has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for 40 years, recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  

Dr. Antoine became CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation in 2017. Dr. Antoine has successfully led the growth and sustainability of five nonprofit organizations: the HOPE Program, the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, Per Scholas, PBS Channel Thirteen, and New York Junior Tennis and Learning.

In 2010, Dr. Antoine joined New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) as President and CEO, responsible for the strategic direction and operation of the nation’s largest tennis and education program, serving 75,000 children in New York City’s five boroughs. With 550 paid employees, NYJTL enjoyed six consecutive years of budget surpluses under Dr. Antoine’s stewardship. During her tenure, Dr. Antoine, who holds a Ph.D. in education from Columbia University, NYJTL changed its name from New York Junior Tennis “League” to New York Junior Tennis & “Learning,” communicating the organization’s emphasis on providing important out-of-school educational services in addition to tennis instruction, which also involved a significant expansion and quality improvement of city-wide after school programs.  In addition, Dr. Antoine oversaw the recently completed $26.5 million capital campaign in Partnership with New York City to build NYJTL’s Cary Leeds Center for Tennis and Learning, the flagship home in the Bronx for the 45-year-old nonprofit.

Dr. Antoine began her career teaching English and overseeing curriculum development in public schools before embarking on her first entrepreneurial nonprofit effort in 1984, founding The HOPE Program, an employment training program for homeless men and women, which she led as President for a decade.

In 2015, Dr. Antoine was the recipient of the Bronx Leadership Award for Youth Advocacy presented by Mercy College.  She was also recognized as “CEO of Distinction” by Smart CEO magazine and awarded the “Inaugural Founders Award” by The HOPE Program. An avid tennis player, Dr. Antoine holds a top-10 USTA national singles ranking in her age group. She was named the USTA Eastern Section “Woman of the Year” in 2013.

Dr. Antoine graduated with a B.S. in Education from the University of Massachusetts and also earned an M.A. in Psychology from Salve Regina University and Ph.D. in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

"I am honored and privileged to serve on the Board of Collegiate Women Sports Awards, which has truly transformed the lives of many women by honoring and showcasing the best NCAA athletes in the country, not only for their stellar performance as competitors, but also for their contribution to the greater good, and for the many thousands of young girls they inspire,” said Antoine. “Our work ahead is as important as ever to ensure that all girls are exposed to sports, and benefit from healthy lifestyles, leadership opportunities, and the social and emotional skills that help to ensure lifelong success."

"Women’s Sports Foundation has long been an ally of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards having received the Irv Grossman Award for their support of women in sport nationwide in 2008,” stated Jeanne Lenti Ponsetto, Chair of the CWSA Board of Directors. “It is fitting that their CEO, Dr. Deborah Antoine join us as we promote women in sport.”