The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) has announced the addition of Molly Quinn as the association’s new Chief Executive Officer. Quinn comes to USABA with over 20 years of experience in sales, sports marketing and philanthropy.
Prodigy Search, a national executive search firm, conducted the recruitment process for the new hire.
In her new role at USABA, Quinn will work with the board, staff, members and other stakeholders to develop, implement, and achieve a new strategic plan. This aims to increase membership, expand programs and develop new revenue streams among other goals.
She will seek to ensure a continued collaborative relationship with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the International Blind Sports Federation and other NGBs, and will support the men and women’s goalball teams that have qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Mark Lucas, USABA Executive Director, will report to Molly Quinn in her role as new CEO.
Speaking on behalf of the USABA board, Dr Michael Bina, Chair, said, “We are delighted that Molly will be joining the USABA team. We look forward to her leading the expansion of our mission to involve more children and adults in life-changing physical activity.
“Under the leadership of Executive Director Mark Lucas, we are grateful that USABA established the USABA Goalball Center of Excellence in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has earned a well-respected reputation within the US Olympic and Paralympic movement, the International Blind Sports Federation, and national blindness organizations.”
Molly Quinn said, “I am honoured to serve as the first USABA CEO. This role aligns with my personal passion and purpose around sports and fundraising. My career has been focused on creating life-changing experiences and partnerships that drive new revenue through events, services, and sponsorships, which I will continue at the USABA.
“I look forward to leading an incredible organization focused on providing opportunities for blind and visually impaired athletes to participate and compete. Through inclusion and diversity, I want to be a bigger part of empowering people to live and grow through sport; leading the USABA’s mission will allow me to do just that.”
Throughout her expansive career, Quinn has established executive-level contacts and relationships across sports agencies, brands, national governing bodies, and non-profits. Prior to joining USABA, Quinn most recently served as Vice President, Fitness and Endurance Partnerships with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
At St Jude, she identified and partnered with key global brands to diversify revenue streams. One of her major accomplishments was re-inventing the charity’s largest fundraising event, where she elevated the St Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend from 16,000 participants raising US$9.5m to 26,000 raising $13m.
Quinn’s strong leadership resulted in St Jude’s endurance and walk campaigns making the Top 30 Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum Fundraising List for the first time.
Quinn served on two boards – Achieve Kids Tri and Triathlon Business International (TBI).
Matt Simpson, USABA board athlete’s representative, said, “Speaking for all of our goalball athletes and members, I am extremely excited to welcome Molly. Her experience and abilities will be a great asset seeking opportunities for athletes of all ability levels.
“We are all incredibly grateful for the staff leadership that has brought USABA to where it is today and are optimistic about the future of sport opportunities for people who are blind in the United States, as well as our future successes on the international stage at Tokyo 2020 and beyond.”
