The Red Sox Foundation Board has hired its next Executive Director, former Scholar Athletes Executive Director and Boston Celtics Community Relations Director Rebekah Splaine Salwasser. Salwasser will begin her new role in January, 2018.
 
"It's an honor to lead the Red Sox Foundation and work with its board to expand on the many strong programs and achievement that have been realized over these past 15 years," said Salwasser. "For me, this is the perfect marriage of the two things I love most - sports and philanthropy. I look forward to working with the talented people at the foundation and in the front office. I can't wait to get started."  
 
Salwasser brings extensive experience in philanthropy and both professional and semi-professional sports. After four years working as Community Relations Director for the Boston Celtics, Salwasser went on to lead Scholar Athletes as its Executive Director, a program that supports public high school athletes with both their athletic and academic achievements. Earlier in her career, Salwasser served as a professional soccer player for the Boston Breakers and as Executive Director of the Charlestown Lacrosse and Learning Center.
 
"Bekah brings a wealth of knowledge to this role," said Red Sox Foundation Chairman Tom Werner. "She is a driven competitor with deep roots in both athletics and philanthropy in Boston, and has a proven commitment to improving this community. We could not have found a better, more qualified candidate to take the foundation on the next step in its evolution."  
 
The Red Sox Foundation was founded and initially funded by the Red Sox ownership group in 2002, and is active throughout New England and in Lee County, Florida, the club's Spring Training home. The foundation focuses its efforts on the areas of health, education, and youth sports. Since its creation, the foundation has donated to 1,620 organizations, including its own self-operated programs. It is the largest team charity in Major League Baseball, and one of the largest in professional sports.
 
The Red Sox Foundation operates out of Fenway Park with eight full time employees, the support of the Boston Red Sox, and thousands of volunteers.