Dawn Riley To Lead Women|s Sports Foundation

The Women’s Sports Foundation announced the election of world-class sailor Dawn Riley as its new president last week.

Riley will serve as president-elect in 2002 and as president for the 2003 and 2004 term. Two-time Olympic gold medallist softball player Lisa Fernandez and WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie were also voted as new members to the Board of Trustees.

Riley, CEO and captain of the America’s Cup racing syndicate America True, will begin her term in January 2003 after current Foundation President Julie Foudy’s term ends in December 2002. Riley has been a vice-president since January 2001 and has served on the Board since 1999. Riley became the first woman in the world to captain an America’s Cup team, at the same time managing an entire America’s Cup Racing Syndicate. She also is the only person to sail in three America’s Cup races and two Whitbread Round the World Races.

Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women’s Sports Foundation is a charitable educational organization dedicated to ensuring equal access to participation and leadership opportunities for all girls and women in sports and fitness.