Linda McMahon is the co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE), based in Stamford, Connecticut. She stepped down in 2009 to run for the U.S. Senate and was the Republican nominee to represent the people of Connecticut in 2010 and 2012.
As a business executive, McMahon helped grow WWE from a modest, 13-person operation to a publicly traded global enterprise with more than 800 employees in offices worldwide.
McMahon has been widely recognized as one of the country’s top female executives. In 2014, she was honored by Fairfield/Westchester County Business Journal as one of its “Women Making an Impact.” In 2013, she was named one of Moves Magazine’s “Power Women.” In 2007, she was named one of Multichannel News’ “Wonder Women,” recognizing her accomplishments as a leader in the cable television industry.
McMahon spearheaded a wide variety of community and charitable programs at WWE, including the company’s Get R.E.A.L. educational and literacy programs. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has recognized WWE as a top wish granter, awarding it its highest honor in 2004. McMahon was appointed to the organization’s National Advisory Council in 2005. Under McMahon’s leadership, the WWE was the recipient of the USO of Metropolitan Washington’s first ever “Legacy of Hope” award, in honor of Bob Hope, for its extensive support of our troops. In 2007, the company received the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award for its support of deployed service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2009, McMahon served on the Connecticut Board of Education as an appointee of Governor M. Jodi Rell.
McMahon serves on the boards of Sacred Heart University of Fairfield, Connecticut; the Close Up Foundation, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit that works to educate and inspire young people to participate in our democracy; and American Corporate Partners, a New York-based organization that pairs returning veterans with mentors in the workforce. She also serves as President of the Advisory Board for Operation Helmet, which provides comfortable and protective helmet pads for U.S. combat troops serving in Afghanistan.
McMahon is an advocate for small businesses and continues to promote entrepreneurship, particularly among women. She advises global businesses as part of APCO Worldwide’s International Advisory Council.
McMahon has been widely recognized for her numerous philanthropic contributions. She has most recently been honored with the Humanitarian Award from the Catholic Big Sisters & Big Brothers in New York City and the Spirit of Hope Award from Liberation Programs in Norwalk, Connecticut.
In 2014, McMahon received the Prescott Bush Award from the Connecticut Republican Party, the organization’s highest honor. In 2013, she received the Public Service Award from the Women’s National Republican Club.
McMahon is a graduate of East Carolina University. She and her husband, Vince, have two adult children and six grandchildren.
