Mid year update from our Executive Director, Jenn Gibbons

Dear GPRF Community,

I recently attended a dinner in Seattle hosted by USRowing where local leaders and thinkers of the sport were brought together in one room. The next day I took USRowing’s CEO Amanda Kraus, and the USRowing Foundation’s Director, Tracy Brown out for a launch ride, through the Montlake Cut and out to Lake Washington. It was their first time on the water in Seattle! With Rowtown USA in all its glory and the Husky stadium in the background, I watched them take it all in. It reminded me of my first time out on the water here. It was magical - I couldn’t believe that such a special place for our sport could exist.

Big questions were posed at dinner the night before about our sport and its ability to address competitive demands while keeping progress moving forward with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As you know, these important goals for our sport require significant resources and they are not mutually exclusive. They require leadership, generosity, and innovation, all of which are found right here within our community.

The entire experience left me with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for you.

As we approach 40 years together, I can assure you that what we do here is special - don’t take my word for it, check out our program updates attached!

What our organization has the ability to consider, lead, and invest in, is a privilege only made possible by supporters like you. So thank you!

Fondly,

Jenn Gibbons, Executive Director