SafeSport Announces New Members to Its Board of Directors
The U.S. Center for SafeSport (the Center) announced yesterday the election of new board members, representing leaders in sports, health, and business. The Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is governed by a board of directors that advises the Center on core business functions, long-term sustainability, strategic planning, and regularly evaluates the Center’s performance through its outcomes and metrics. The board also approves the annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions, ensuring all legal and fiduciary requirements are met.
April Holmes, interim CEO and four-time Paralympian, said: “We welcome an impressive slate of new members to the board of directors who bring with them a wealth of expertise from various sectors, an athlete viewpoint, and a shared commitment to protecting athletes.”With a nationwide search underway for the Center’s new Chief Executive Officer, April Holmes stepped away from her duties as board chair to serve as interim CEO. Julie Fabsik-Swarts is serving as Lead Independent Director of the board during the transition.
The following board members started terms beginning March 7, 2025:
- Craig Bradley, Vice President, Finance, Arizona Diamondbacks (term started beginning January 1, 2025)
- Lee Ford-Faherty, Paralympian and Parapan American Games gold medalist, coach and motivational speaker (recommended by Team USA Athletes’ Commission through a nomination and voting process)
- Dr. Shakira Henderson, Dean, College of Nursing-Chief Administrative Officer, University of Florida & System Chief Nurse Executive, UF Health, PhD Clinical Research & DNP Nursing Practice (term started beginning January 1, 2025)
- Liz Prince, Associate Athletics Director, University of Utah
- Mark Scott, Former Senior VP, Intrado
The following member has been added to a board committee role beginning March 7, 2025:
- Dr. Brittany Connor, Director, Corporate Partnerships, United Way of Greater Kansas City, and PhD Sport Management
The new members join current board members Matt Cenedella, Chief Financial Officer at the National Association of Realtors; Chicka Elloy, Senior Vice President of Sales at the Pearl Lemon Group; Julie Fabsik-Swarts, MS, CFRE, CAP, Chief Executive Officer at the Employee Assistance Professionals Association International; Kimberly Fields, Senior Vice President of Partnership Development & Operation at the National Football League; Katy Spaulding, Chief Operating Officer at Method Communications; and Pamela Wheeler, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at NFP.