| Haley Mendez | |
| Birth Date: | 16 August 1993 |
| Birth Place: | New York City, United States |
| Height: | 177 cm |
| Weight: | 68 kg |
| Turnedpro: | 2009 |
| Retired: | 2023[1] |
| Plays: | Right Handed |
| Racquet: | Prince |
| Event: | Women's singles |
| Highest Ranking: | No. 36 |
| Date Of Highest Ranking: | January 2022 |
| Updated: | May 2023 |
Haley Mendez (born August 16, 1993, in New York City) is a retired American professional squash player and current business professional. Mendez reached a career-high ranking of World No. 36 in January 2022 and USA No. 3 before retiring in May 2023. She was a mainstay on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour for over a decade and a prominent member of the U.S. National Team.
Early Life and Education
Mendez was born and raised in New York City. She attended Harvard University, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Evolutionary Biology in 2015. During her time at Harvard, she captained the women’s squash team and led them to three National Team Championships and two Ivy League titles. She also earned two First Team All-American and two All-Ivy League honors. Mendez received the John P. Fadden award in 2015 for overcoming significant adversity to make a substantial contribution to her team.
Squash Career
Mendez turned professional in 2009 and represented the United States in numerous international competitions, including the 2022 World Games (finishing 4th individually), the 2018 Pan-American Championships (team gold), and the 2017 Pan-American Championships (team silver, doubles bronze). Over her career, she worked with a dedicated team of coaches, physiotherapists, and nutritionists to reach the highest levels of the sport. Mendez was also known for her active engagement in promoting squash, including fundraising for nonprofits and serving on the Board of Advisors for the PSA Foundation. Mendez currently sits on the PSA Athlete’s Commission, where she helps advise the organization on matters impacting professional players and the sport’s future direction.
Personal Life
Mendez is married to Nathan Lake, a highly regarded professional squash player from Cheltenham, England. Lake has reached a career-high ranking of World No. 22 and has represented England in multiple international tournaments. The couple resides in Brooklyn Heights, New York, balancing their professional endeavors while remaining active in the global squash community.
Post-Squash Career
After retiring from professional squash in 2023, Mendez transitioned to a leadership role in the business sector, with a focus on women's health. She is currently the Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Initiatives at Cayaba Care, a maternal health company dedicated to improving outcomes for mothers through innovative, community-centered care models. Mendez is a driving force behind the company’s strategic growth initiatives and partnerships, leveraging her experience in both sports and business to lead efforts that advance Cayaba Care’s mission.
She earned her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she specialized in Strategic Management, Behavioral Economics, and Entrepreneurship. At Booth, she held leadership positions in the Chicago Women in Business group and the Squash & Tennis Club.