News

For Immediate Release

March 24, 2021

RED SOX PROMOTE BEKAH SALWASSER TO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SOCIAL IMPACT

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox today announced Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Social Impact for the Red Sox.

This new position formalizes Salwasser’s ongoing work as the chair of the club’s Social Justice Equity & Inclusion Committee, which was formed in June 2020 and aims to use the Red Sox platform to promote and amplify racial and social justice causes that align with the organization’s core values, and to develop sustainable initiatives that promote social justice, equity and inclusion. In addition to these new responsibilities, Salwasser will continue to serve as Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation.

“Bekah’s leadership has played a pivotal role within part of the Red Sox family for the past three years through her successful work with the Red Sox Foundation,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “This past year, Bekah has expanded her responsibilities to help lead our social justice efforts, and this expanded role will help ensure this important work remains a priority for our organization and permeates all aspects of our operations.”

In her new position, Salwasser will report directly to the club’s President & CEO Sam Kennedy. She will continue to report to Board Chair, Tom Werner and the 9-member Red Sox Foundation Board of Directors for her work with the club’s non-profit organization.

“I am extremely excited about this next chapter with the Boston Red Sox as it represents the club’s commitment to improving our impact in the social justice space,” said Salwasser. “I’m also truly grateful for the trust, support and encouragement from Sam, Tom and my entire Board of Directors since my arrival. This promotion is a reflection of the progress and passion of our leadership, our Social Justice Advisory Committee, and all our employees joining us on this important journey.”

Salwasser joined the organization in January of 2018 as the Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation. In that role, she has helped the club realize the ambitious vision of the Foundation, which seeks to make a difference in the lives of children, families, veterans, and communities in need by providing them with health, educational, and recreational opportunities. In addition to managing key partnerships with Dana-Farber, Home Base and The Dimock Center, Salwasser is responsible for the overall success of the Foundation’s giving strategy, programming, fundraising and sponsorships, capacity building, and various other events and projects that help build the brand and strengthen the impact of the Foundation within the New England community.

Prior to joining the Boston Red Sox, Salwasser was the Executive Director for Scholar Athletes, a nonprofit organization whose mission was to support academic achievement through athletics in Boston Public Schools, and before that, was the Community Relations Director for the Boston Celtics for 5 years, overseeing charitable giving, community and fundraising events, and player engagement for the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation. Salwasser began her non-profit career as the Executive Director of the Charlestown Lacrosse & Learning Center, a small nonprofit in Boston that provided academic & athletic assistance to local youth. In 2003, Salwasser was also a player for the Boston Breakers women’s professional soccer team, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Salwasser is currently a Founding member of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity & Social Justice Fund, a coalition of 19 Black and Brown executives focused on eliminating systemic racism and racial injustice in Massachusetts. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Foundation of Boston, Teach for America Greater Boston, Home Base, and the YMCA of Greater Boston. Although Salwasser ended her term as a member of the Board of Trustees for Buckingham Browne & Nichols in 2011, she continues to serve on their Alumni Council. She is also a Founding Co-Chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Friend’s Council, where she now sits as a Leadership Committee Member, and she is on the National Advisory Board for Dream Big!. In 2020 she was WISE (Women in Sports & Events) Boston’s “Woman of Inspiration”, and in 2018 she was selected to Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” class, and her and her husband were recognized by Boston Magazine as a Top 5 “Power Couple.” Salwasser was an Emerging Leader for the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education in 2013, and was recognized in that same year as one of Boston’s Future Leaders by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

Born and raised in Cambridge, MA, Salwasser currently resides in Dorchester with her husband, Zac, and three children, Calvin, Niko, and Evie.

–RED SOX–