In their own words: Mary Conaway on supporting volunteers and growing the game

As we celebrate Women’s History Month throughout March, we look toward leaders in tennis who are working to spread this sport far and wide. This month, you'll meet leaders who are telling their first-person stories and who recognize the influences family, friends, players, teachers and coaches have had on the direction their lives and careers have taken—and how that direction is positively impacting the newest generations. Today, meet Mary Conaway.

I fell in love with tennis when I was in college and saw the Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs match. BJK inspired me and made me feel empowered. Later, when my children were young, I’d take them to the park, where they would play on the playground and I’d be on the public tennis courts. 

Jim Collins, the author of “Good to Great,” says it’s about “getting the right people in the right seats on the bus,” which is exactly what we try to do: Within the USTA volunteer structure, we’re looking to place our volunteers in specific roles that match their natural talents, skills and passions. It’s often not enough for someone to simply have the ambition to be in a specific volunteer role; on the Volunteer Engagement Committee, which I chair, we try to ensure they have the right skill set—which will lead to effective service to the organization and satisfaction and accomplishment for volunteers.

Our committee offers training and leadership development so those volunteers who are passionate about serving in a leadership role can achieve their goals. I’m proud and honored to be a part of this, helping to train volunteers so they can be in the “right seats on the bus.” As a volunteer organization, it’s critical that the USTA have volunteers who are trained and ready to lead the way for future generations.

Early in my volunteer career, I was fortunate to meet Barbara Fackel, who mentored me and helped me navigate the USTA organization. Although she passed away in 2019, I think of her fondly, and of all that she passed on to me. There are, of course, many layers to the USTA as an organization, and finding that mentor, or mentors, who can help you understand how things work and how to get things done is invaluable. Barbara inspired me, and since working with her, I’ve tried to mentor many volunteers. We’ve even developed a mentorship program within the USTA that we continue to use today. Mentorship is an important tool for leadership development, and I’m so thrilled that Barbara’s influence and legacy lives on within the USTA.

When I first started working in the tennis industry, I remember looking around the room at that first meeting I attended of teaching pros and coaches and was struck by how few women were there. Ever since then, I’ve been committed to helping other women in this industry achieve their goals, whether through mentorship or just by me being present and available for them. Today, while we continue to see more women in leadership and teaching positions, there is still much room for improvement. 

My goal, and one of my passions, is that women will no longer be seen as a minority group in this industry, but rather as an equal partner.

[Editor’s Note: Among the many awards and honors Mary Conaway has received are: 2024 USTA Florida Section Outstanding Section Volunteer, 2020 USTA Florida Section Volunteer of the Month, 2014 PTR State Member of the Year, 2014 USTA Mid-Atlantic Virginia President’s Award, Inducted into the 2013 USTA Mid-Atlantic Hall of Fame, 2012 Voted Virginia Magazine’s Best Tennis Club in Northern Virginia, 2012 USTA Mid-Atlantic Section Organization of the Year, 2012 RSI Park and Recreation Agency of the Year, 2010 PTR/USTA Community Service Award, 2009 USTA Mid-Atlantic NJTL Chapter of the Year, 2008 USTA Mid-Atlantic Organization of the Year, 2005 PTR State Member of the Year, 2003 Tennis Teaching Professional of the Year USTA/Virginia District, 2003 Community Program of the Year for USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, 2000 Program Promoter of the Year USTA/Virginia District]