Classroom Champions Welcomes Leaders from Goldman Sachs and PIMCO to Board of Directors
Boston, MA — Classroom Champions, a nonprofit organization that integrates elite athlete mentorship into a robust K-8 classroom curriculum to build the confidence, perseverance and fundamental skills all kids need to succeed in school and beyond, today announced that Marc Seidner, Chief Investment Officer of PIMCO and Cyril Goddeeris, Global Co-Head of Equities of Goldman Sachs have joined its Board of Directors. Seidner and Goddeeris bring decades of global financial leadership by representing two of the world’s most respected financial institutions. Their involvement reflects the continued growth of Classroom Champions, as more leaders are recognizing how the power of mentorship through sports can truly improve the lives of students. “It’s because of the generosity of our supporters that Classroom Champions are in classrooms across North America creating lasting impact for students, educators, and families,” said Seth Rosenzweig, CEO of Classroom Champions. “Having leaders like Marc and Cyril strengthens our mission to ensure every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive in the classroom and beyond. Their leadership will help to open more doors and opportunities for us to reach more students.” Marc Seidner serves as Chief Investment Officer of Non-traditional Strategies and Managing Director at PIMCO, where he is also a generalist portfolio manager and member of the firm’s Investment Committee. With nearly four decades of investment experience across leading institutions including Harvard Management Company, Fidelity, and Standish Mellon Asset Management, Seidner now brings that experience to support Classroom Champions as it continues to scale its work and inspire the next generation. “What immediately stuck with me about Classroom Champions was the approach,” said Seidner. “The organization has created a model that connects students with Olympic and Paralympic athletes in a way that actually feels authentic and meaningful. The athletes are bringing their experiences to the classroom to teach kids about perseverance, leadership and goal setting and it’s exciting to be able to support an organization that is creating a lasting impression on young people.” Cyril Goddeeris is Global Co-Head of Equities at Goldman Sachs and a member of the firm’s Management Committee. He previously served as Co-Head of Global Prime Services and has held leadership roles at Goldman Sachs since joining the firm in 2005. Born in Canada and now based in New York, Goddeeris brings a unique cross border perspective that aligns closely with Classroom Champions’ work across both the US and Canada.“For nearly a decade I was looking for an organization whose mission I was passionate about,” said Goddeeris. “When I learned about Classroom Champions, I immediately knew this was something I wanted to be a part of. I am excited to support the organization as it continues to grow.” As members of the Board, Seidner and Goddeeris will help to expand the overall vision and impact of the organization, bringing new perspectives, expertise and networks to reach more classrooms across North America. For more information, visit classroomchampions.org. About Classroom Champions Classroom Champions is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering K-8 students with the confidence, perseverance and fundamental skills they need to excel and reach their potential in school and beyond. Since 2008, we’ve partnered with Olympic, Paralympic, professional, and collegiate athletes to inspire students across North America. Our unique curriculum blends life skills with the world class athlete journey, helping students develop a Champion Mindset – one that embraces challenges, fosters perseverance, and believes in personal growth. For more information, visit classroomchampions.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin at @classroomchampions and X at @classroomchamps. Media Contact: Samantha Kieserman Classroom Champions Communications Strategist samantha@classroomchampions.org