Our staff has varying backgrounds and expertise, but we all serve one purpose: breaking the cycle of poverty through education. This week, meet some of our D.C.-based staff members.
With offices in Anaheim and Irvine, Calif., Washington D.C., and Boston, Mass., the Tiger Woods Foundation team has plenty of moving parts. Each staff member brings a unique perspective to our mission and a different story to tell. In our new staff series, we will be introducing you to those who bring Tiger’s vision for the foundation to life. Meet the first three in our series: Gina Ekmekjian, Danny Callahan and Sarah Costello from our D.C. office.
Gina Ekmekjian, Sr. Manager, Corporate Partnerships
After working for TWF for eight years, we asked Gina for her most memorable moment. It was too hard for her to think of just one.
“I’ve had way too many ‘best moments,’ but some of the most fun to remember include: Working out of the basement of the Bethesda [Md.] house, moving the Friday night Tiger Jam party from Moorea to the Mandalay Bay events center in less than two hours due to high winds and the 2014 Tiger Jam live auction hosted by Chris Harrison.”
Gina’s TWF adventures begin and end alongside the foundation’s strongest supporters at Tiger Jam, Quicken Loans National, Deutsche Bank Championship, Tiger Woods Invitational, Hero World Challenge and Tiger Woods Charity Playoffs.
“My favorite part about working at TWF is the tie between the dynamic environment at events and developing relationships with our eclectic crew of long-time sponsors and donors.”
At the end of the day, Gina is crucial to upholding the signature experiences our friends and supporters receive at a TWF event.
“The most rewarding part about the events is really being able to experience the enjoyment that our sponsors and donors get out of being involved. When they’re with us, it’s all about having a good time and raising money for our educational programs.”
Danny Callahan, Associate Vice President, Corporate Partnerships
As one of the few D.C. natives at TWF, Danny is our ultimate guide to the nation’s capital and everything the city has to offer. The eight-year veteran has also seen the foundation evolve with many memories.
The office oral storyteller always returns from a trip with a memory to share, but his favorite is from home at the 2009 Quicken Loans National.
“I remember seeing Tiger in his Sunday red in 2009 as he stared down defending champion Anthony Kim in competitive anticipation on the first tee of Congressional Country Club. He had just come back from injury and ended up defeating Kim in a tight fierce battle over 18 holes.”
As he shakes hands with industry leaders, Danny explores more opportunities for sponsors and supporters to grow TWF’s college-access programs through the foundation’s phenomenal events.
“Our events are fun, cutting edge and exciting for the clients, all while giving back to TWF programs and college scholarships.”
Sarah Costello, Events Coordinator
Sarah is a New England transplant who is queen of her self-proclaimed “volunteerland” for the Quicken Loans National and Hero World Challenge. She leads those who are the backbone of these two tournaments and assists with special events and military initiatives.
Sarah joined the team in 2014, and within one year, she has found that days at TWF are far from monotonous.
“One moment, I am speaking with aspiring young sports industry professionals about internship opportunities, and the next moment I am speaking with volunteers who have 10 or more years of behind-the-scenes PGA TOUR experience.”
Combining her passion for sports events with philanthropy, Sarah has already seen the impact of her work benefitting the students involved with TWF programs.
“It is an incredible feeling to know that the work that we do to put on a successful event has such a profound impact on young lives across the country. We see scholars and students whose lives were changed by the opportunities that TWF provided them, and knowing that I played a role in their future success is an incredible feeling.”
