In an inspiring appointment that combines athletic achievement with visionary leadership, Olympic gold medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Starting February 1, 2026, she'll be guiding the organization into its next decade of making sports a safer, more supportive environment for all athletes.

Benita's journey to this role is a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication. As the first American woman to win gold in the 100-meter hurdles at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, she knows firsthand what it means to compete at the highest level. That experience, combined with her extensive leadership background, makes her uniquely qualified to champion athlete safety and wellbeing.

"As an athlete, I felt safe, supported, and strengthened in my career, and I am committed to helping all athletes within the Olympic and Paralympic movement feel that same sense of support," Benita shared with genuine warmth. Her vision is clear: to build an organization that athletes believe in, staff members take pride in, and the public trusts and respects.

Benita brings an impressive wealth of experience beyond her athletic accomplishments. Most recently, she served as CEO of Multiplying Good, an organization dedicated to cultivating greatness through volunteerism and service. She's also led the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA and served as Chief Operating Officer of the United States Olympic Committee, where she oversaw everything from Olympic Training Centers to athlete relations.

One of her proudest professional achievements came during her tenure as USA Track & Field's Chief of Sport Performance, when she led Team USA to capture 29 medals at the 2012 London Olympics—the most successful performance by an American track and field team in two decades.

The appointment comes as the Center approaches a significant milestone: its tenth year of operation. Under the outgoing interim CEO April Holmes, herself a Paralympic gold medalist, the organization has made tremendous strides. April led crucial initiatives including comprehensive listening sessions with athletes, survivors, and governing bodies, resulting in meaningful process improvements that put athlete voices at the center of decision-making.

"We are thrilled to welcome Benita Fitzgerald Mosley as Chief Executive Officer," said Chicka Elloy, Vice Chair of the Board. The search committee recognized that Benita's unique combination of athletic experience and nonprofit leadership positions her perfectly to advance the Center's vital mission.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport stands as the nation's only independent organization dedicated to ending abuse in Olympic and Paralympic sports. Since its establishment, the Center has been transforming sports culture by setting comprehensive safety policies, providing education, and ensuring accountability across all levels of athletic competition.

As Benita steps into this pivotal role, her commitment shines through: every athlete deserves to feel safe, supported, and strengthened in their pursuit of excellence. With her leadership, the Center is poised to continue its important work of making sports safer and more welcoming for everyone, from young recreational athletes to Olympic competitors. The future of athlete safety is in capable, caring hands.