The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) announced on Wednesday that Nichol Whiteman has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of the organization.

In her five years as Executive Director of the team’s official charity, Whiteman has led efforts to launch Dodgers RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), a youth development program serving over 10,500 youth today, complete 50 Dodgers Dreamfields impacting 300,000 youth, create a benefit gala, build a comprehensive grant-making program, and increase fundraising by 1,000%. Nichol will continue to execute LADF’s vision, mission, and strategic plan.

The foundation also announced that Chaitali Gala Mehta has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer.  In her new role, Chaitali will provide oversight and strategic guidance in the areas of operations, finance, grant-making/philanthropy and special projects.

The changes come as a result of the tremendous growth experienced by the foundation over the past several years. Earlier this month the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation announced its 5th Anniversary Blue Diamond Gala, an event that Whiteman and Mehta have and will continue to spearhead, which will take place on Wednesday, June 12 and feature a benefit concert by world-renowned musician Bruno Mars. Proceeds from the Blue Diamond Gala will directly impact LADF’s programs. Additional details about the gala can be found here.

About Nichol Whiteman

With a degree in Economics from Spelman College, Nichol was the first in her family to graduate from college. With a passion for education, equity, and diversity, her unwavering dedication resulted in positions in investment management and publishing before beginning a philanthropic career as Vice President, Western Region of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

The New York native has been recognized throughout the industry for her exceptional contributions, having earned the 2018 Sports Business Journal Game Changers Award, Anti-Defamation League’s 2018 Deborah Award, Ebony Magazine’s 2017 Woman Up Award, and The Pink Tea Rose Foundation’s 2017 Progressive Leadership Award to name a few.

A former member of the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association’s Go Red Campaign, she also serves on the Women’s Leadership Council and is a member of Women in Sports and Entertainment. Nichol holds positions on the advisory and regional boards of Covington Capital Management, A Better Chance, Inc., New Teacher Center, Da Vinci Schools and The Positive Results Corporation. Additionally, she sits on the board of the Los Angeles chapter of Positive Coaching Alliance.

Nichol recently served as keynote for the American Red Cross Corporate Council Summit and will be speaking on February 28 at the Guggenheim Partners Santa Monica Black History Month Celebration at the request of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.  She will be honored at the 2019 A Place Called Home GirlPower Awards on May 10 at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Nichol resides in Los Angeles with her husband and their two sons.

About Chaitali Gala Mehta

With a degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, Chaitali has always been passionate about working for and with organizations that champion resilient low-income youth. She has been an agent of positive change to create various opportunities linking the foundation, corporate and non-profit worlds as evidenced by her positions at LA’s Promise Fund (Director of Corporate Partnerships and Special Events) and After-School All-Stars (Director of Cause Marketing).

Chaitali joined LADF in 2014 as the Director of Grants and Strategic Partnerships. In this role, she built the foundation’s comprehensive grant making program. Additionally, she established and maintained relationships with internal and external stakeholders to raise the visibility of LADF as a strong charitable partner.

Chaitali resides in Los Angeles with her husband and their daughter.

About the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation

Founded in 1995, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) is the official team charity of the Los Angeles Dodgers. An award-winning leader in sports-based youth development, LADF harnesses the power of the Dodger brand, and a passionate fan base, to significantly impact underserved youth in some of the most challenged neighborhoods of Los Angeles. With a focus on Sports + Recreation, Education + Literacy, and Health + Wellness, LADF administers direct programs serving youth and communities at large and provides grants to local nonprofit organizations. With a bigger than baseball mentality, LADF is focused on finding innovative ways to create opportunities for children through programs that engage with kids in sports, helps kids stay active and promote academic success. With the support of partners, stakeholders and fans, LADF produces incredible results on fields, in classrooms and at recreation centers, creating Major League Communities.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation envisions a city where every young Angeleno, in every neighborhood can thrive.

Visit LADF online at www.dodgers.com/ladf, follow them on Twitter, @DodgersFdn, Instagram @dodgersfoundation and like them on Facebook at /LosAngelesDodgersFoundation.

(Article courtesy of LA Dodgers)

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