Ritchie Hockey Foundation Names Desiree Phelps as First-Ever Executive Director

New leadership position marks an important step in the Foundation’s growth and its mission to serve more children while honoring the memory of Jason Ritchie

TAMPA, FL — SEPT. 16, 2026 — The Ritchie Hockey Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Desiree Phelps as its first-ever Executive Director, marking an important milestone in the organization’s continued growth and commitment to expanding access to sports for children and families.

In this newly created role, Phelps will lead the Foundation’s day-to-day operations, strategic growth, fundraising, partnerships and community engagement efforts, helping position the organization to reach and serve even more children in the years ahead.

“We are thrilled to welcome Desiree as the Ritchie Hockey Foundation’s first Executive Director,” said Donna Ritchie, President of the Ritchie Hockey Foundation. “This is such an exciting new chapter for our Foundation. Desiree brings the leadership, experience and passion we need to grow our impact, reach more children and continue honoring Jason’s memory through work that means so much to our family.”

Phelps brings more than a decade of experience in professional sports, business operations, venue management, revenue generation and community engagement. Her career has spanned professional baseball and soccer, including leadership roles with the Toronto Blue Jays and USA Patriots Veteran Athletics, as well as helping build Tampa Bay Sun FC, Tampa Bay’s professional women’s soccer club.

Throughout her career, Phelps has helped organizations achieve record attendance, ticket sales and retail performance, increase corporate and individual philanthropic support, and create memorable experiences for athletes, fans, and communities. Her career highlights include helping lead operations for the inaugural USL Super League Championship, participating in the 2022 MLB Field of Dreams game, hosting an All-American Girls Professional Baseball League reunion and even arranging a baseball game featured on Animal Planet.

“This is a big step forward for our organization,” said Bob Ritchie, co-founder of the Ritchie Hockey Foundation. “Bringing Desiree on as our first Executive Director gives us the opportunity to take what we have built and grow it in a meaningful way. We’re excited about what this means for the future of the Foundation, for the number of children we’ll be able to serve and, most importantly, for our ability to continue keeping Jason’s memory alive.”

For Phelps, whose own family story is deeply connected to sports, the Foundation’s mission carries special meaning. She met her husband while they were both working in professional baseball, and today they are raising two boys of their own.

“I am incredibly honored to serve as the first Executive Director of the Ritchie Hockey Foundation,” said Phelps. “The heart behind this organization is what makes it so special. I’m excited to work alongside Donna, Bob, the Board, our volunteers, donors, and community partners to build upon the incredible work already underway and create even more opportunities for children to experience everything that sports can give them.”

She added, “Some of the most important things children gain through sports have nothing to do with the scoreboard — confidence, friendships, life lessons and memories that stay with them forever. Our goal is to make sure financial barriers never stand in the way of a child having those experiences.”

The creation of the Executive Director position represents an important next chapter for the Ritchie Hockey Foundation as it looks to strengthen its programs, build new partnerships and expand its reach while remaining firmly rooted in the purpose that inspired its creation: honoring Jason Ritchie’s memory by helping more children experience the game he loved.