WHERE IMPACT COMES FULL CIRCLE

Together, we will ensure all kids have what it takes to dream big and achieve their goals. Join the Champions Circle and be part of building a future where every child has a mentor, every classroom is inspired, and every community thrives.
List of Members
A Classroom Champions mentor high-fives a student, with the Champions Circle logo overlaid.

What is the Champions Circle?

A community of philanthropic leaders from across North America dedicated to shaping the future for the next generation. Members unite to drive meaningful change — improving youth well-being and creating stronger, more resilient communities.You’ll play a vital role in expanding access to mentorship, mental wellness, and transformative learning experiences for students across North America. And in return, you’ll join a passionate community of change makers — united by purpose, impact, and connection.
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How You'll Drive Change

  • Icon of a sprouting seedling, representing growth and investment

    Invest

    Commit a minimum of $25,000 USD/ $35,000 CAD a year over four years to scale Classroom Champions’ reach, support underserved schools, and empower teachers and students with essential life skills.
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    Connect

    Grow the Classroom Champions network by introducing new individual and corporate supporters and leaders. Seek out opportunities to build cross-industry partnerships that enhance our programs and boost philanthropic impact.
  • Bar chart with an upward trend arrow, representing growth in impact.

    Impact

    Your commitment will improve student well-being and mental health, uplift underserved communities, and drive lasting change.

About Classroom Champions

Our VisionAll kids have what it takes to dream big and achieve their goals.Our MissionClassroom Champions mission is to build the confidence, perseverance, and fundamental skills students need to succeed through a proven curriculum rooted in the mentorship and mindset of elite athletes.Link to Full Impact Video

Scenes from the Circle

  • Four supporters pose together at a Classroom Champions event in front of a branded step-and-repeat backdrop.
    Cassels team members with former NHL All-Star & Captain of the Vancouver Canucks, Trevor Linden
  • Athlete mentors speak on the Champion Chats panel before a seated audience at a Classroom Champions event.
    Panelists Trevor Linden (NHL), Meaghan Mikkelson (OLY), and Mikael Backlund (NHL) share stories at 2026 Champion Chats
  • Two men in suits smile together at a Classroom Champions Circle event.
    Olympic Gold Medalist Grant Holloway (left) and Classroom Champions Co-Founder and Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Mesler in NYC at a Classroom Champions event
  • Classroom Champions supporters gather for a group photo at a Boston Bruins hockey game suite.
    Champions Circle members and some of the Classroom Champions Boston community comes together for a Bruins game
  • A man laughs while conversing with someone at a Champions Circle event.
    Champions Circle member Craig Senyk at the annual Champion Chats event in Calgary
  • Three men celebrate on a podium with medals at the Utah Olympic Park Bobsled Experience.
    Classroom Champions CRO, Ryan Irwin, with Steve Rodosky of PIMCO and son, after going down the Olympic bobsled track during an exclusive Classroom Champions event in Park City
  • A speaker addresses the audience with a microphone in front of a Classroom Champions backdrop.
    Classroom Champions CEO Seth Rosenzweig at the annual Champion Chats event in Calgary
  • Attendees network in conversation at a Champions Circle event.
    Champions Circle member Geri Greenall
  • Guests shake hands and laugh at an evening event for Classroom Champions supporters.
    Matt Verrochi, Dean Backer, and Jessica Janowitz of Goldman Sachs during an activity during a Classroom Champions event in NYC
  • Panelists speak on stage at a Classroom Champions event with a branded backdrop.
    Olympian Michelle Plouffe sits on a panel with Classroom Champions teachers during Concert for Classrooms
  • A mentor holds up his Olympic gold medal while posing with two men at a Bobsled Experience event.
    Classroom Champions CRO Ryan Irwin (left) with Classroom Champions co-founder and Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Mesler (center) and Classroom Champions CEO Seth Rosenzweig (right) after their bobsled adventure in Park City
  • A speaker addresses the audience from a podium at a Classroom Champions event.
    Circle member Jason Jaskela speaking from main stage at Champions Chats
  • Panelists sit on stools on stage for a discussion at a Classroom Champions event.
    Panelists Luke Wilson (NFL), Donovan Bailey (OLY), Waneek Horn-Miller (OLY) share stories at 2025 Champion Chats
  • Group photo at a Classroom Champions and Goldman Sachs partnership event.
    Olympians Paige Jones, and Sean Hollander, Principal Danielle Keane, and Director of Athletics & MBSK at NYC DOE Howie Harrison with Champions Circle members Cyril Goddeeris and Matt Verrochi, Classroom Champions Co-Founders Steve Mesler and Leigh Parisie, CEO Seth Rosenzweig and CRO Ryan Irwin at an event in New York
  • Four supporters pose together at a Classroom Champions event in front of a branded step-and-repeat backdrop.
    Cassels team members with former NHL All-Star & Captain of the Vancouver Canucks, Trevor Linden
  • Athlete mentors speak on the Champion Chats panel before a seated audience at a Classroom Champions event.
    Panelists Trevor Linden (NHL), Meaghan Mikkelson (OLY), and Mikael Backlund (NHL) share stories at 2026 Champion Chats
  • Two men in suits smile together at a Classroom Champions Circle event.
    Olympic Gold Medalist Grant Holloway (left) and Classroom Champions Co-Founder and Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Mesler in NYC at a Classroom Champions event
  • Classroom Champions supporters gather for a group photo at a Boston Bruins hockey game suite.
    Champions Circle members and some of the Classroom Champions Boston community comes together for a Bruins game

Impact by the Numbers

  • Illustration of a backpack with notebooks, representing classroom learning materials.

    3 Million Kids

    Students across North America have been impacted through Classroom Champions mentorship and programming
  • Icon of a gold medal, representing achievement and recognition

    400+ Athlete Mentors

    Since 2009, Classroom Champions has worked with over 400 Olympic, Paralympic, NCAA and professional athletes
  • Icon of a hand holding up a growing leaf, symbolizing nurturing growth

    $6.7M Million Raised

    Champions Circle members have raised nearly $7 million since 2022

Impact Stories

How Classroom Champions is Making a Difference Across North America thanks to supporters like the Champions Circle
A classroom of students and their teacher pose together wearing matching Classroom Champions T-shirts.

One Teacher. Ten Years. A Thousand Wins.

Year after year, Christina shows up with the same belief: every child deserves to be seen, heard, and believed in.

A classroom of students gather smiling around a video call with their mentor displayed on the screen.

From DM to Direct Connection

When Natalie Stuart shared her love for the “gold medal mentality” on social media, she never expected it to connect her students with a real Olympian.

A student stands smiling beside a screen showing a mentor video call during a Champions Circle meetup.

Transforming Special Education with Athlete Mentors

For the last five years, she's been working with Classroom Champions and instilling a Champion Mindset in her students that extends far beyond school.

A Paralympic sit-skier races on a cross-country course, competitors following behind.

From Navy SEAL to Paralympic Champion

Read Dan's journey from Navy SEAL to Paralympic champion in a story of resilience and determination.

A Classroom Champions volunteer and a student wearing a medal smile together in a classroom.

Mentorship That’s More Than a Program

For the last 11 years, Annette's been using Classroom Champions to bring inspiring mentors into her classroom, and it’s made a world of difference.

Students walk outside their school holding handmade signs supporting classmate Lex, one reading a message about vision.

How Mentorship Transformed My Classroom

Jenn has connected her students with Olympic and Paralympic athletes to teach valuable social and emotional skills.

Conversations with Champions

Recently, we sat down with Anne Marie Darling, Co-COO of Barclays and Regional Captain of the Champions Circle, to hear about the mentor who changed her trajectory and what drives her to keep showing up for others.
Portrait of Anne Marie Darling, smiling in a blazer and pearl necklace.

Champions Circle Leadership and Members

Captains

Brendan McCracken & Brigid Hogan
President & CEO - OvintivCraig & Cara Senyk
Board Chair - Mawer Investment ManagementGeri Greenall & Gerry Hrap
COO, Cascade Trading

Regional Captains

Anne Marie Darling, New York
Co-COO of BarclaysBill & Karen Grogan, Chicago
CFO, GE HealthcareDaniel & Vivien Hyman, Newport Beach
Managing Director, PIMCO Don Schaaf & Nancy Auslander, Annapolis
Retired EntrepreneurDr. Harish Yalamanchili, Los Angeles
Coastal Clinics & FSA VeinJessica Janowitz, New York
Partner, US Equity Derivative Sales at Goldman SachsMarc Seidner, Newport Beach
CIO Non-traditional Strategies, PIMCOMatt Verrochi, New York
Co-Head of Fixed Income, Goldman SachsMichael Carmen & Pam Lederer, Boston
Co-head of Private Investments, Wellington

Members

Alex Smith
Federici BrandsAndrea Proske
Olympic Gold Medalist, RowingAnton Erdody
Managing Director and Co-Head, Global Markets Trading - CIBC Capital MarketsBeth Hamilton-Keen
Investment Counsellor - Mawer Investment ManagementBrit Smith
Federici BrandsChip Frazier
Portfolio Manager, Hill City CapitalChris Swonger
CEO - DISCUS & Responsibility.orgChristian Taylor
2x Olympic & 4x World Champion-Triple JumpChristie & Ben Jacobs
Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer - Anomaly Capital ManagementCyril Goddeeris
Partner, Goldman SachsDan Walsh
EntrepreneurDavid Pottruck
Former CEO of Charles Schwab, Wharton School of Business ProfessorDavid & Kerri Howard
Senior Vice President, EnverusDean & Anna Backer
Managing Director, Goldman SachsDennis & Lori Baldwin
Founder and Managing Director, Breakaway VenturesFrederic & Lori Leif
Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director at Abrams Capital ManagementGail Federici Smith
Federici BrandsJason & Trisha Jaskela
CEO, Headwater ExplorationKaren JohnsonKim Livingston
Federici BrandsMark Kerwood & Sandy LudwigMary Lou SeidnerMichael Mezei & Andrea Hopps
Retired, former President Mawer Investment ManagementPenny BradleyRob & Kyle MacInnis
Senior Advisor, Abry PartnersRob Potack
CEO, UnitexRob Small
Managing Director, Berkshire PartnersSandy ThompsonScott Barshay
Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLPScott O'Reilly
Retired, Fidelity InvestmentsShanna O'Reilly
Co-Head Private Investments, WellingtonSteve & Robin Ellis
Chairman Emeritus, Proskauer RoseSteve Mesler
Olympic Gold Medalist, Bobsleigh; Co-Founder & Board Chair - Classroom Champions; Managing Director & Executive/Performance Coach - Mesler Performance Group

Get in Touch

We're here to answer any question big or small to support your involvement with Classroom Champions.