Classroom Champions Announces Transition of Leadership to Enter a New Era
Co-Founder Steve Mesler Transitions To Chair of the Board of Directors Seth Rosenzweig Appointed as the Nonprofit’s New CEO
Classroom Champions, a leading global nonprofit organization empowering students socially, emotionally and academically through the mentorship and mindset of World Class Athlete Mentors, today announced a significant leadership transition. After over a year of planning, Steve Mesler, co-founder and Olympic gold medalist, will be stepping down from his role as CEO after 15 years and will take on a new position as Chair of the Board of Directors. Concurrently, Seth Rosenzweig, a seasoned nonprofit leader and former CEO of Team IMPACT, will assume the CEO role at Classroom Champions and guide the organization into the future.Mesler, a renowned U.S. Olympic bobsledder who broke the country’s 62-year draught when he won a gold medal in the four-man event at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, co-founded Classroom Champions in 2009 with his sister Dr. Leigh Parise. Under his leadership, Classroom Champions has transformed the lives of hundreds of communities by connecting thousands of children with over 350 Olympic, Paralympic, NCAA, and professional Athlete Mentors who inspire and motivate them to achieve their goals in the classroom and beyond. Mesler has been instrumental in the organization's development and growth, expanding its reach to serve millions of students across North America and around the globe through powerful partnerships such as NBC Olympics, the NHL, Airbnb, Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart charity, the Buffalo Bills, Team Canada, Google, GoNoodle, and many more. Reflecting on his transition, Mesler said, "Seeing Classroom Champions evolve into what it is today is both exciting and humbling. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved for so many children and look forward to continuing to support the organization's mission in my new role as Chair of the Board of Directors. From the moment I met Seth, I recognized that his personal character, combined with his incredible experience building organizations leveraging athletes to help kids, meant that he could be the ideal leader to usher Classroom Champions into its next phase of growth and impact. I feel fortunate and excited he’ll be putting on the Classroom Champions jersey.”Seth Rosenzweig brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership and a passion for youth empowerment to his new role as CEO of Classroom Champions. As the former CEO of Team IMPACT, Rosenzweig spearheaded the organization's efforts to connect children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, fostering impactful relationships that provided crucial emotional support and inspiration. In his eight years stewarding Team IMPACT, Rosenzweig led the organization to unprecedented growth. Among Rosenzweig’s core objectives in the role is to expand Classroom Champions’ footprint across North America.Rosenzweig said, "I am honored to join Classroom Champions as CEO and to work alongside such a dedicated team that is making a tangible difference for students. I am deeply inspired by the organization's mission to empower students through mentorship, and I am excited to begin advancing our impact and reach. I look forward to collaborating with our athlete mentors, educators, and partners to create positive change in the lives of even more deserving students."As Classroom Champions embarks on this new chapter, the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering students to become resilient, compassionate, and confident leaders in their communities.Christian Taylor, 2x Olympic gold medalist, long-time Classroom Champions Athlete Mentor and member of the organization’s Board of Directors, shared his excitement. “The profound impact that Classroom Champions has on communities is unlike any other in our education system. With Steve’s institutional knowledge still at our disposal and the addition of Seth’s profound understanding of the nonprofit world and how to expand this organization; I have no doubt that Classroom Champions will become the leader in how lessons learned in sport can change the world.” For media inquiries or further information, please contact:Genevieve AdamsHead of Marketing and Communicationsgenevieve@classroomchampions.org