Ritchie Hockey Foundation Appointed Desiree Phelps
The Tampa-based foundation named Desiree Phelps as its first executive director effective September 1, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in People
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The Ritchie Hockey Foundation officially announced the appointment of Desiree Phelps as its inaugural executive director. Phelps assumed her new leadership role on September 1, 2026, to oversee operations for the organization.
Why it matters
The board of directors hired an executive director to scale the foundation's reach and remove financial barriers for young student athletes. Phelps will focus on managing partnerships and fundraising to expand the organization's existing scholarship and clinic programs.
The foundation supports student athletes through various programs and has been active since 2009. Recent operational events included a golf tournament featuring 40 professional athletes and 30 participating foursomes.
The players
Desiree Phelps
She is the first executive director of the Ritchie Hockey Foundation and formerly served in leadership roles for the Toronto Blue Jays, USA Patriots Veteran Athletics, and Tampa Bay Sun FC.
Donna Ritchie
She is the founder of the Ritchie Hockey Foundation, which she established in 2009 to assist student athletes.
Ritchie Hockey Foundation
Headquartered in Tampa, this organization provides scholarships and skills clinics to help student athletes overcome financial barriers.
The details
Desiree Phelps brings extensive experience to the role, having previously held leadership positions with the Toronto Blue Jays, USA Patriots Veteran Athletics, and Tampa Bay Sun FC. In her new capacity, she is responsible for managing core programs, donor relations, and strategic partnerships at the Tampa headquarters.
Timeline
The Ritchie Hockey Foundation was founded in 2009.
Desiree Phelps officially joined the foundation on September 1, 2026.
The appointment was formally announced to the public on September 29, 2026.
The organization plans to expand its program offerings to include a football clinic in 2027.
Market Landscape
The Ritchie Hockey Foundation's shift to a dedicated executive director mirrors the broader non-profit trend of moving from founder-driven operations to professional management structures. This transition positions the organization to better compete for donor capital and expand its impact in the youth sports sector.
Families and student athletes in the community should expect expanded access to scholarships and sports clinics as the new leadership team grows the organization. Local donors and partners will likely see more outreach as the foundation works to scale its programs.
The takeaway
Professionalizing leadership is a common strategy for non-profits looking to move beyond their founding roots and increase their community impact. Organizations often undergo this transition when the complexity of managing fundraising and program delivery requires dedicated full-time oversight.
What happens next
The Ritchie Hockey Foundation is scheduled to launch its inaugural football clinic in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local leadership changes in our People section.
More information
Find further details on the organization's mission and upcoming programs on the Ritchie Hockey Foundation official website.
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