DEVILS YOUTH FOUNDATION NAMES NEW JERSEY NATIVE, PHILANTHROPIC LEADER AND HOCKEY EXECUTIVE KATE WHITMAN ANNIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AS ORGANIZATION WELCOMES WHITMAN ANNIS, DEVILS YOUTH FOUNDATION TO ADDITIONALLY CELEBRATE RECIPIENT OF $25,000 DONATION, THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 VS. BOSTON
NEWARK, N.J. – NOV. 12, 2021 – The New Jersey Devils announced today the appointment of Kate Whitman Annis to the role of Executive Director of the Devils Youth Foundation. The New Jersey native will lead the day-to-day operations of the Devils Youth Foundation, including fundraising, grant strategy, special event planning and community partner relationships. In her role, Whitman Annis will be responsible for driving positive change by leveraging the incredible platform of sports and entertainment provided by the Devils and Prudential Center, one of the world’s leading arenas.
As the organization welcomes Whitman Annis as Executive Director, the Devils Youth Foundation will also unveil a $25,000 donation to an impactful, youth-focused charity, tomorrow at the Devils home game vs. the Boston Bruins- Saturday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. EST. during the first TV timeout.
“We are thrilled to announce Kate as the Executive Director of the Devils Youth Foundation,” said Devils Youth Foundation Chair Allison Blitzer. “Kate’s passion for public service, the youth of this region, and the game of hockey, will allow the Foundation to expand its reach and continue to support meaningful change and growth in the communities we serve. We are excited for the future of the Foundation under Kate’s leadership, as well as the celebration we have planned this weekend for a highly impactful local charity.”
Whitman Annis joins the Devils Youth Foundation following a decorated career spanning non-profit operations, public service, event management, fundraising, education, communications, and professional sports. Most recently, Whitman Annis was the Development Director at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, N.J., where she led their major gifts and fundraising programs, engagement, stewardship projects, and special events for nearly a decade. Prior to her role at Pingry, she was a Senior Director of Fund Development & Programs for the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey.
A dedicated public servant, Whitman Annis’ has an impressive background in government communications and leadership, including experience as a Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives; Communications Director for Chairman Christopher Cox (R-CA), U.S. House of Representatives; Press Secretary for Benson for Governor (Manchester, New Hampshire) and Press Secretary for the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Labor (Washington, D.C.).
Additionally, Whitman Annis has deep connections to the sport of hockey. A former collegiate ice hockey and lacrosse player at Wesleyan University, Whitman Annis served as the Assistant Coach and then General Manager of the Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation (formerly the NWHL) between 2019 and 2021. Whitman Annis remains entrenched in youth hockey as an Associate Coach in Chief for USA Hockey’s Atlantic District, a coach with the New Jersey Colonials, and supporting her four sons, who all play ice hockey.
“I am excited to join the Devils Youth Foundation as their Executive Director,” said Whitman Annis. “It gives me the opportunity to maximize my experience in philanthropy, non-profit management, community engagement, and communications coupled with my passion for ice hockey. I am inspired by the the Foundation’s mission and feel confident that we have an unparalleled opportunity and platform to empower the youth of our New Jersey communities through sports, live entertainment and music.”
Whitman Annis received her master’s degree in Business Administration from the Solvay Brussels School and ENPC, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wesleyan University. She resides in Morristown, NJ with her husband Craig and their four sons.
Media may CLICK HERE to download still images of Devils Youth Foundation Executive Director Kate Whitman Annis; and CLICK HERE to download images of past events hosted by the Devils Youth Foundation.
