Women's Sports Foundation Appoints Seven New Trustees for Future Growth and Leadership in Sports
The Women's Sports Foundation (WSF®) proudly announces the appointment of seven new members to its Board of Trustees, a strategic move aimed at amplifying its mission of promoting gender equity in sports. As of January 1, 2025, this team of exceptional leaders will support WSF as it embarks on its 50-year legacy in the forthcoming years. Among the new trustees are industry veterans such as Val Ackerman, the Commissioner of the BIG EAST Conference, and Gabby Thomas, a five-time Olympic medalist known for her incredible achievements in track and field.
Scout Bassett, the Foundation’s current president, reiterates the importance of diversifying leadership within the organization, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Val, Stacey, David, Rachel, Alexander, Bill, and Gabby to the WSF Board of Trustees.” This announcement comes on the heels of the WSF's 50th-anniversary celebrations, designed to empower girls and women through sports. The foundation emphasizes that each new trustee brings a unique background and set of skills, which will be instrumental in fostering a new generation of athletes and leaders.
The newly appointed trustees include:
The Board's expansion underscores WSF's commitment to evolving and adapting in an ever-changing sporting landscape. It gears itself towards stronger advocacy for Title IX and further investments in athletes’ development, regardless of their background or ability. Bassett emphatically states, "As we transition into 2025, our mission remains ever-present: getting more girls and women into sport because their participation is vital for creating tomorrow's leaders.”
Additionally, WSF, founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, has been a frontrunner in recognizing the intersection between sports, equity, and societal issues, having invested over $100 million to empower women in sports for nearly five decades. This diverse array of new trustees is expected to leverage their influence and expertise across various sectors to enhance WSF’s mission, ensuring that girls and women have equal opportunities to compete and thrive in the sporting world.
As WSF prepares for the next chapter of its history, the Foundation looks forward to continued collaborations with its newly appointed trustees, aiming to reinforce its vital role in the future of women's sports advocacy and leadership.
Scout Bassett, the Foundation’s current president, reiterates the importance of diversifying leadership within the organization, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Val, Stacey, David, Rachel, Alexander, Bill, and Gabby to the WSF Board of Trustees.” This announcement comes on the heels of the WSF's 50th-anniversary celebrations, designed to empower girls and women through sports. The foundation emphasizes that each new trustee brings a unique background and set of skills, which will be instrumental in fostering a new generation of athletes and leaders.
The newly appointed trustees include:
- - Val Ackerman: A sports executive who has held prominent positions, including the founding President of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Under her leadership, the BIG EAST has recognized significant achievements in men’s and women’s sports.
- - Stacey Allaster: Currently the Chief Executive of Professional Tennis at USTA and the first woman Tournament Director of the U.S. Open, she has significantly impacted professional tennis, advocating for gender equity. Her prior role as WTA President showcased her dedication to elevating women's tennis across the globe.
- - David Friedman: Known for his extensive experience in close commercial real estate ventures that impact women’s sports, he has a sharp awareness of investing strategically in the sports ecosystem.
- - Rachel Garcia: An Olympic silver medalist and decorated softball pitcher in NCAA history, she advocates passionately for female athletes and serves on the Foundation's programs for aspiring young athletes.
- - Alexander Popov: As a notable figure in private investment at Carlyle Group, he is instrumental in the recent acquisition of a Women’s Soccer League franchise and aims to expand opportunities within sports.
- - Bill Shelton: A veteran in Wall Street and advocacy for equity and inclusion, his expertise in marketing makes him a key proponent for addressing the gender pay gap in sports sponsorships.
- - Gabby Thomas: A world-renowned sprinter, she combines her athletic prowess with advocacy work, promoting diversity and equity in sports while pursuing her academic aspirations in the medical field.
The Board's expansion underscores WSF's commitment to evolving and adapting in an ever-changing sporting landscape. It gears itself towards stronger advocacy for Title IX and further investments in athletes’ development, regardless of their background or ability. Bassett emphatically states, "As we transition into 2025, our mission remains ever-present: getting more girls and women into sport because their participation is vital for creating tomorrow's leaders.”
Additionally, WSF, founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, has been a frontrunner in recognizing the intersection between sports, equity, and societal issues, having invested over $100 million to empower women in sports for nearly five decades. This diverse array of new trustees is expected to leverage their influence and expertise across various sectors to enhance WSF’s mission, ensuring that girls and women have equal opportunities to compete and thrive in the sporting world.
As WSF prepares for the next chapter of its history, the Foundation looks forward to continued collaborations with its newly appointed trustees, aiming to reinforce its vital role in the future of women's sports advocacy and leadership.
Topics Sports）
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