U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Athletes' Advisory Council names Elizabeth Ramsey first executive director

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Advisory Council today announced the hiring of Elizabeth Ramsey as its executive director. The position is the first of its kind, and will enable the AAC to more effectively and professionally advise the USOPC and advocate on behalf of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

"We are delighted to welcome Elizabeth to the AAC," said AAC Chair Han Xiao. "Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience in collegiate and professional sports that will be invaluable in helping us navigate the unique issues that Team USA athletes face. We have no doubt she is the right person to help us transform the way we engage with and advocate for the athletes we represent."

The addition of an executive director is the latest effort to expand resources available to the AAC. In January, the USOPC and AAC signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding to provide independent, operational support to the council – including increased financial and administrative resources – and ensure athletes’ needs and voices are well-represented in organizational decision-making.

Reporting directly to the AAC chair, Ramsey will be charged with working with the AAC’s elected volunteer leadership to establish strategic goals and advance relationships between Team USA athletes, the AAC, the USOPC and other key stakeholders.

"We are thrilled with the addition of an executive director to the AAC and look forward to working with Elizabeth to further elevate athlete voices in our work," said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. "Athletes are facing increasingly complex issues, and we are committed to partnering with Elizabeth and the AAC to fully address and support the holistic needs of our athlete community."

An accomplished collegiate basketball player, Ramsey brings her experience as an athlete as well as more than 13 years working in sports. She most recently spent time with the Sacramento Kings as the director of basketball operations and intelligence, where she worked closely with the assistant general manager, managed the scouting department operations and gathered intel related to NBA prospects. She was also a member of the NBA Women in Basketball Operations Committee and helped establish the first-ever NBA Women in Basketball Operations Forum. In her 11 years with the NCAA, she developed and managed relationships with stakeholders in men’s basketball and served as an investigator looking into possible violations of NCAA legislation.

"I am very excited to join Team USA, and I look forward to working with the AAC and its leadership to help them reach their goals and establish meaningful and positive influence across the Team USA athlete community," said Ramsey. "I have many fond memories watching Team USA, and I am humbled and honored I will get to work in support of these athletes on a daily basis."

Ramsey received a bachelor’s degree from University of Indianapolis, a law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law-Indianapolis, and a masters of sport administration from Canisius College.

Ramsey will begin her tenure July 20 and relocate to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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