USTA’s Stacey Allaster Joins Women’s Sports Foundation Board of Trustees
January 16, 2025
NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2025 — As of January 1, the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF®) is pleased to welcome seven new members to its Board of Trustees. This innovative group of cross-sector professionals join WSF on the heels of its 2024 50th anniversary celebrations and will help propel its 50-year legacy into 2025 and beyond.
The new trustees include: Stacey Allaster, United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) Chief Executive of Professional Tennis and first woman to be appointed as US Open Tournament Director; Val Ackerman, Commissioner of the BIG EAST Conference and founding President of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA); David Friedman, President of Earlystone Management Inc., who oversaw the team’s investments in Athletes Unlimited (AU) and the Monarch Collective; Rachel Garcia, Olympic silver medalist and the most decorated softball pitcher in NCAA history; Alexander Popov, Partner and Head of Private Credit of Carlyle Group, a global investment firm that recently jointly acquired the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Seattle Reign FC; Bill Shelton, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Group 1001, who is the co-founder of Parity Now; and Gabby Thomas, world-renowned sprinter and five-time Olympic medalist in Track & Field. WSF President Scout Bassett will continue in her role for a second year.
“We are delighted to welcome Val, Stacey, David, Rachel, Alexander, Bill and Gabby to the WSF Board of Trustees and are thrilled Scout will continue leading as the Foundation’s President in 2025,” said WSF CEO Danette Leighton. “WSF’s 50th anniversary milestone served as a reminder that our vital mission is as important today as it was in 1974 with our latest research reports proving why sport is a must-have for all girls and women. Each member joining WSF’s Board brings a unique set of skills, perspectives and experiences that will help guide us into the next 50 years by fueling our mission and deepening our impact as we work to get more girls and women in the game because when they play, they lead, and we all win.”
Ackerman, Allaster, Friedman, Garcia, Popov, Shelton and Thomas are joining a board that has helped WSF greatly influence and impact the entire sports ecosystem over the past five decades. Members hail from professional sports, teams and leagues, collegiate conferences, media entities, and the public and private sectors, including powerhouse brands and academia. This seasoned group of trustees join in a shared passion and drive to empower girls and women to play, compete and lead – in sports and beyond – without barriers.
“I am truly honored and excited to continue my tenure as WSF President and we are as determined as ever to reach true equity on the field of play, the front office, the boardroom and beyond,” said WSF President Scout Bassett. “As we usher in 2025 by introducing our new trustees, a significant milestone of 2024 – WSF’s 50th anniversary – remains high on our radar. Together, I look forward to continuing our fight to protect Title IX by advocating for athletes of all abilities to benefit from its full promise, while propelling WSF’s critical mission forward so we remain an essential resource for all girls and women in the decades to come.”