141. Benita Fitzgerald Mosley - Gold Medal Generosity

“My biggest piece of advice to lead more generously, is to find your own passion and your own area of expertise and give in that regard.” - Benita Fitzgerald Mosley

 

Benita Fitzgerald Mosley is an Olympic gold medalist and an established international leader in the nonprofit, sports, and business sectors. Benita currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Multiplying Good, whose mission is to cultivate greatness through service to others.

Benita most recently served as President of FundPlay Foundation and VP of Community & Impact for LeagueApps (2020-2023), a youth sports technology company, and before that as the CEO of Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA (2016-2020). Benita joined Laureus USA following her role as Chief Operating Officer with the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (2013-2016). Prior to the USOPC, she served as USA Track & Field’s Chief of Sport (2009-2013), and as President & CEO of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) (2001-2009).

Benita won a gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the 1984 Olympics, making her the first American woman to accomplish this feat. She was a member of the 1980 and 1984 U.S. Olympic Teams, an alternate on the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team, a gold medalist in the 1983 Pan American Games, an eight-time national champion and a 15-time NCAA All-American.

Benita was named “Cable TV Executive of the Year” by Television Week Magazine for her leadership role with WICT. Named a 2019 Notable Women in Sports by Crain’s New York Business and a 2015 Game Changer by the Sports Business Journal, Benita currently serves on the International Olympic Committee Digital Engagement and Marketing Commission, and the Boards of Special Olympics International, Athletes for Hope and the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum.

Benita was named the “Top Female Sports Figure of the Century from Virginia” by Sports Illustrated, and she is a member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, Virginia High School Hall of Fame, Penn Relays Hall of Fame, and a charter member of the University of Tennessee Volunteers Hall of Fame. One of eight U.S. Olympians to carry the Olympic Flag during the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics, she was named "Hurdler of the Decade" for the 1980s by Track and Field News. Benita also has a street named after her in Dale City, VA.

Benita is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. She resides in Haymarket, VA, with her husband, Ron, and they have two kids in college.

 

R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:

• Spend time in introspection and seek to discover where you have passion and where might we be able to make a contribution in a philanthropic or in a generous way through our passion and interests. 
• Identify someone who can help as a mentor.
• Have an attitude of gratitude.
• Be proud of yourself and the things you have accomplished.

Resources:

• MultiplyingGood.org 
• Join the Ripple
• 2023 Jefferson Awards
  
• Benita Fitzgerald Mosley Biography  
• Additional Credentials - Benita's achievements as a former Olympian
• Benita Fitzgerald Mosley - ICONS Conference - Personal story of Benita and her take on fair competition and the future of women's sports
• From Grind to Gold: The Mental Health of Benita Fitzgerald Mosley - Podcast guest on AAU Sports
• "Cliff Note" version of books

Where to find R.O.G. Podcast:

• R.O.G on YouTube
• R.O.G on Apple Podcasts
• R.O.G on Spotify

How diverse is your network? 
N.D.I. Network Diversity Index

What is your Generosity Style? 
Generosity Quiz

Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 141, with Kim Scott

Credits:

Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.