Pleasant Hill, Calif. – September 22, 2026 -- Special Olympics Northern California (SONC) has appointed five new members to its Board of Directors as the organization works to strengthen its financial base and expand inclusive sports programming across the region.
SONC recruits finance, law and pro-sports executives for board expansion
The new directors are Colleen Atkinson, Kevin Brown, Richard Rahm, Brian Wentzel, and athlete leader Devon Yoshimine. David Solo, President and CEO of SONC, said the group brings expertise spanning corporate finance, professional sports operations, grassroots coaching and lived athlete experience to support the organization's growth goals.
Fifth Third Bank executive and Sharks Foundation leader join governance ranks
Colleen Atkinson, Senior Vice President at Fifth Third Commercial Bank, joins with a corporate finance background aimed at reinforcing SONC's long-term financial strength. Kevin Brown, Head of Community Impact for Sharks Sports & Entertainment and Executive Director of the Sharks Foundation, adds executive leadership experience from the intersection of professional sports and social impact work.
Cargill global partner leader brings 16 years of grassroots coaching to the board
Brian Wentzel, Vice President and Global Partner Leader at Cargill, Inc., has volunteered as an SONC swim coach for 16 years and will contribute program-execution insight from direct athlete engagement. Richard Rahm, Shareholder at law firm Ogletree Deakins, returns for a second board tenure after previously serving as SONC Board Chair, bringing governance experience from his earlier leadership term.
Athlete leader with nearly three decades of SONC involvement gains direct board representation
Devon Yoshimine, an SONC Athlete Leader and member of its Athlete Leadership Council, has competed and advocated within the organization for close to 30 years. Yoshimine said the appointment allows direct representation of fellow athletes on the board, with a stated priority of expanding unified sports programs in schools.