Kathryn Olson Named CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation

New York, N.Y., March 29, 2010 – The Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, and a driving force in attracting girls and women to sports, better health and education, today named Kathryn Olson as the new CEO of the organization. Olson, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2005, served as chair of the Governance Committee.

The transition in leadership of the Women’s Sports Foundation is effective immediately.

Ms. Olson has had a distinguished career as a senior marketing executive for a number of prestigious organizations, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer of Shutterfly, the leading internet-based social expression and personal publishing service. Prior to Shutterfly, she was CMO at LeapFrog, a developer of innovative, technology-based learning products, a Vice President of Marketing at the William Wrigley Jr. Company, and an Executive Vice President at Nordstrom that helped launch the highly regarded Internet apparel site. She spent more than a decade with The Quaker Oats Company, including two years as Director of Marketing, Gatorade Europe. She holds a BS from the University of Illinois College of Commerce and an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Olson has served on a number of non-profit boards and today serves on the Advisory Board of Regen Living, a creator of personal and home electronics powered by light. Last year, the San Francisco Business Times named her as one of the Most Influential Women in Business.

In announcing Ms. Olson’s new position, Stephanie Tolleson, Chairman of the Board of the Women’s Sports Foundation, said, “Kathryn joins us at a pivotal time in the history of our organization – a year during which we will be launching a number of exciting new initiatives. She has been an exceptionally effective and involved member of our Board of Trustees and brings profound experience in key areas, such as digital and global marketing, to us.”

Ms. Olson follows Karen Durkin, the foundation’s previous CEO. Ms. Tolleson commented, “We are very grateful for Karen’s commitment to the Women’s Sports Foundation, her strategic thinking, and the many inroads she has made for our Foundation over the last two years. We know her talents and expertise will continue to benefit organizations such as ours, especially in the sports arena.”