rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
Rohre Titcomb’s journey to becoming the Chief Operating Officer of the Seattle Storm isn’t a conventional one. Her career has spanned entrepreneurship, venture capital, and elite sports—a trifecta of experiences that have uniquely prepared her to lead one of the WNBA’s most storied franchises.
As Women’s History Month celebrates trailblazers redefining leadership, Titcomb’s story is one of adaptability, innovation, and unwavering commitment to empowering women.
“I identified three core passions a decade ago: unlocking the power of women, building great businesses, and sports,” Titcomb shares. “Every step of my career has equipped me in different ways for my role with the Storm.”
From founding Five Ultimate, a company dedicated to outfitting the ultimate frisbee community, to navigating the high-stakes world of startups and venture capital, Titcomb honed a versatile skill set. “When I was building Five Ultimate, I had to be proficient in all aspects of the business—accounting, finance, product design, marketing, sales, HR, and more. My siblings and I were self-taught, which required intellectual curiosity and honesty.”
That intellectual curiosity and deep understanding of business operations now fuel her leadership at the Storm, where she is focused on scaling the organization sustainably. “Right now, our focus is on creating durable growth. The Storm is experiencing tremendous momentum across all aspects of the business, and I’m constantly evaluating how we can leverage technology to scale while keeping our people thriving and our systems healthy.”
Titcomb’s background as both an athlete and entrepreneur in ultimate frisbee has significantly shaped her leadership style. “A defining characteristic of ultimate frisbee is that it’s a self-officiated sport, meaning players are responsible for upholding the integrity of the game through clear communication and mutual respect,” she explains. “That culture, combined with the fact that ultimate is a true team sport, has shaped me into a collaborative, communicative, and high-integrity leader.”
Her approach to leadership is rooted in teamwork. “For me, team is everything. The people we work with are at the core of what we do. I focus on building teams where individuals put the group ahead of their egos, support each other, work with consistency and commitment, and bring levity and fun to the workplace.”
The WNBA is experiencing unprecedented growth, and Titcomb is keenly aware of the significance of this moment. “Coming from the startup world, I know how rare it is to be part of an organization experiencing this level of growth,” she says. “The WNBA is in a historic moment, and to be with a franchise like the Storm—known for excellence both on and off the court—is even more special.”
With expansion talks, increased investment, and a growing fan base, Titcomb sees both challenges and opportunities for women’s professional sports. “While we’ve made incredible progress, there’s still a long way to go. The opportunity we have is to build a professional sports league that stays true to its values as it grows and uses its platform to drive broader change. If we do this right, we’ll create a future where women athletes—and all people—can find a place where they belong, thrive, and showcase their talents.”
For young women looking to break into sports or business, Titcomb’s message is clear: embrace every experience. “If you’re an athlete, embrace your athletic career as a valuable part of your journey. For a long time, I saw my athletic and professional lives as separate, but in reality, sports taught me essential skills—competitiveness, work ethic, collaboration, resilience, and the ability to win. These lessons have been just as critical in business as they were on the field.”
She also emphasizes that there’s room for everyone in sports, regardless of background. “Every job imaginable exists within the industry, and leadership comes in many forms—there’s no single archetype of what a great leader looks like.”
Titcomb’s connection to Seattle runs deep. Though she spent time in France, Italy, and Connecticut for school, Seattle has always been home. “I love our city’s access to the water and mountains,” she says. “In my free time, I coach and play ultimate, search for accessible hiking trails with my husband, or tend to my garden alongside my dog, chickens, and bees.”
The Storm’s impact on the Seattle community is something she takes immense pride in. “I hope every young person who watches the Storm feels inspired to chase their dreams because they see our players and coaches doing exactly that.”
The Seattle Storm is poised for success on the court and serves as a model for how women’s sports can thrive. Titcomb’s leadership is a testament to the power of versatility, resilience, and a team-first mentality—qualities that make her a true trailblazer in the sports industry.
Kate Neidigh is a writer for Seattle Refined, covering lifestyle, fashion, beauty, travel, real estate, gift guides and feature stories. See more of her work on Instagram here.