The USA Triathlon Foundation announced the hiring of David Deschenes as its first-ever Executive Director, a role responsible for leading major gift fundraising and annual fund initiatives, donor relations, grant programs, marketing and communications, and community outreach while overseeing the Foundation’s daily business operations.
Deschenes will report to the USA Triathlon Foundation Board of Directors’ President and serve on USA Triathlon’s senior leadership team. He has been with the USA Triathlon National Office in Colorado Springs since March 30.
“I am thrilled to have Dave join the USA Triathlon Foundation as our first Executive Director," said Jacqueline McCook, President the USA Triathlon Foundation Board of Directors. “Dave is uniquely qualified to lead the Foundation to the next level, driven by his passion, dedication and depth of experience in the multisport arena. He will be instrumental in enabling us to dramatically expand our impact on communities and individuals throughout the U.S. as we strive to achieve our mission of transforming lives by opening pathways to triathlon for all — particularly among underserved youth, paratriathletes and Olympic dreamers.”
“As a long-standing member of USA Triathlon, it is a great honor to have the opportunity to lead the USA Triathlon Foundation,” said Deschenes. “Working as part of the senior-leadership team for USA Triathlon and with the Board of Trustees for the Foundation, I am dedicated to growing the sport of triathlon while leading its lasting impact.”
Deschenes spent the past seven-plus years as Executive Director for the IRONMAN Foundation in Tampa, Florida, where he was responsible for growing the organization’s total charitable giveback from $12 million to over $50 million. He facilitated this growth while establishing the Foundation’s first endowment fund. Deschenes also managed the organizational and business strategy, nonprofit compliance, financial planning, donor and program management, marketing innovation, community engagement and social media outreach. Additionally, he increased the organization’s charitable giveback through the creation of the IRONMAN Foundation Brand Ambassador Team.
“In partnership with the USA Triathlon Foundation, we are proud to welcome Dave as the Foundation’s first Executive Director,” said Rocky Harris, CEO at USA Triathlon. “With nearly a decade of experience in endurance sports fundraising and a proven ability to run successful charitable giving programs, Dave is extremely well-suited for the role. With his leadership, we look forward to transforming the level of philanthropic support afforded to multisport athletes and programs in the U.S.”
Prior to his tenure at the IRONMAN Foundation, Deschenes was Managing Director for the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Athletes for a Cure program in Santa Monica, California. Preceding IRONMAN and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Deschenes had a long-standing business career in financial services working in a variety of management roles with Franklin Templeton Investments.
Deschenes was a member of the USA Triathlon Florida (now Southeast) Region Board of Directors and served as the Region’s Youth Development Coordinator from 2007-2011. He is a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach, the founder and head coach of Peak Performance Multisport and a head coach with the South Shore TRI Coach program. He is also a Level III USA Cycling coach and was a military Paralympic hand-cycling coach from 2008-2010.
He is involved in various capacities with several other nonprofit organizations, including Native American Jump Start, Zero Cancer — The End of Prostate Cancer, Athletes for a Cure and the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Deschenes attended Salem State University and Northeastern University in Massachusetts. He is an avid triathlete, runner and coach, having competed in the Boston Marathon, numerous short course triathlons, the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship and multiple IRONMAN triathlons. He is also an avid outdoor enthusiast and mountain biker.
About the USA Triathlon Foundation: The USA Triathlon Foundation was created in 2014 by the USA Triathlon Board of Directors as a separate tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity. Under the leadership of its Trustees and Committee members, the Foundation serves as a means to create a healthier America through triathlon, and seeks to transform lives by opening new pathways to the sport for all, especially those who are otherwise underserved. The USA Triathlon Foundation operates with the belief that every child should have the chance to participate, every paratriathlete should have the opportunity to compete, and every aspiring athlete should be able to chase his or her Olympic dream. Donations to the USA Triathlon Foundation ensure America's youth are introduced to the benefits and fun of a multisport lifestyle, athletes with disabilities receive the training, support and gear to be able to participate and excel, and the best aspiring young athletes have a chance to pursue their Olympic Dreams. Visit usatriathlonfoundation.org to learn more and donate today.
About USA Triathlon: USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
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