Montgomery created her foundation in 2019 while still playing professional basketball in the WNBA. She sat out the 2020 season to instead focus her attention and efforts on social justice initiatives. She retired from the WNBA in 2021 after an 11-year professional career, and that same year she became co-owner and vice president of the WNBA\u2019s Atlanta Dream, making her the first WNBA player to become an owner of a WNBA team.<\/p>\n
An executive and activist, Montgomery also serves as a member of the Werth Institute\u2019s Advisory Board<\/a>, and her foundation has partnered with the institute to support the entrepreneurial efforts of Werth Innovators<\/a> \u2013 student ambassadors for entrepreneurship and innovation at UConn who play a central role in building interest and participation in UConn’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Renee Montgomery Foundation and the Werth Institute share important values around providing students with access to opportunities, mentorship, and dreams that they cannot achieve on their own,\u201d says Werth Institute Director David Noble. \u201cRenee is how we hope our alumni grow to be. She saw a problem in the world and took action to solve it.\u201d<\/p>\n The first two recipients of $1,500 Last Yard Scholarships are Rashana Weerasinghe \u201823 (BUS), a junior studying business data analytics, and Astou Diallo \u201823 (BUS)<\/a>, a junior majoring in information management systems.<\/p>\n \u201cThe UConn Werth Institute and Renee Montgomery Foundation are incredible organizations,\u201d says Weerasinghe. \u201cBoth rely on creating transformative learning experiences for students. Entrepreneurship, innovation, and exploration are grounded in the infrastructure of Werth and the Montgomery Foundation. I am grateful to be a part of this movement. It is an honor and privilege to receive this award.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think the Renee Montgomery Foundation is doing incredible work with all its initiatives, and I\u2019m truly honored to have been selected as a recipient this year,\u201d says Diallo. \u201cHaving financial needs met can really be instrumental in being able to continue your education, I\u2019m glad the Renee Montgomery Foundation and the Werth Institute are helping students do that. I hope to one day pay it forward!\u201d<\/p>\n The Werth Institute is also supporting the Last Yard Scholarship recipients by matching funds, for total of $3,000 per recipient, \u201cto help get them to the finish line,\u201d says Young.<\/p>\n \u201cStudents can use the scholarship for tuition, books, or anything that will help them finish their current semester or start their next semester fresh,\u201d Young says. \u201cRenee Montgomery Foundation wants to nurture students to keep their passion and capitalize on moments that will continue to fuel their momentum.\u201d<\/p>\n The Werth Institute and the Renee Montgomery Foundation partnered in November of last year to offer a virtual career day for Werth Innovators during National Career Day Month.<\/p>\n \u201cThe students took a Saturday \u2013 right before finals \u2013 and participated in a virtual conference with young leaders from historically underrepresented backgrounds,\u201d Noble says. \u201cThey learned about career opportunities from these successful industry leaders that they likely didn\u2019t even know existed.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To learn more about educational and entrepreneurship opportunities available through UConn\u2019s Werth Institute, visit <\/em>entrepreneurship.uconn.edu<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Renee](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/WBasketball81-300x201.jpg\")