Two-time Olympian Maggie Shea to lead Chicago Yacht Club Foundation as first executive director
by Laura Muma 6 Dec 2024 09:32 PST
ChicagoRegatta SLES © CYC Foundation
The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation has announced its first executive director, two-time Olympic sailor and Chicago native Margaret "Maggie" Shea.
The Foundation's mission is to introduce Chicagoland youth from underrepresented communities to boating and related passions and provide them with opportunities to learn and grow on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Shea competed in the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games with Stephanie Roble, another Midwestern native from Wisconsin, in the 49er FX (skiff) class, earning 10th place in Paris. Born and raised in Wilmette, Shea is a lifelong sailor who learned to race in Chicago Yacht Club's junior sailing program and fell in love with the sport while racing and cruising with her family on Lake Michigan.
"Boating, whether for leisure or racing, is a transformative sport that creates leaders, develops resilience, and builds confidence; important life skills that extend far beyond the water," said Shea. "I am incredibly excited to join the CYC Foundation team, and give back to the sport and community that has given me so much. We have great plans to further expand the Foundation's impact and reach more youth in the Chicagoland area."
In order to achieve CYC Foundation's goal to share the joys and benefits of boating to all, the Foundation relies on financial help to implement its programming and reach more youth. Underway now is the Foundation's Annual Appeal, which provides the funding for next year's programs. Donate now to the CYC Foundation and help more of Chicagoland's youth get on the water this summer and for years to come.
Shea brings significant organizational leadership experience to the Foundation along with her stellar sailing credentials. Previously as a director for the Chicago Match Race Center, she helped bring elite international competition to Lake Michigan. Shea was elected by her peers to represent sailing on the Team USA Athletes' Commission and also serve as a director on the US Sailing Board of Directors from 2020-2024.
Shea filled these leadership roles while competing full-time on the 49erFX World Cup circuit, which required the Roble/Shea Olympic team to fundraise for their competition expenses, manage corporate sponsorships and cultivate a base of individual donors. Her work ethic and drive will help the CYC Foundation chart a strategic path toward using the sailing community as a force for good.
"We have experienced explosive growth in our programs, and have seen tremendous demand from our partners and youth for more access to Chicago's lakefront," said CYC Foundation President Greg Miarecki. "We have been able to impact nearly 2,000 youth in 2024 and under Maggie's leadership, we look forward to significantly expanding our capacity and serving many more youth in the coming years."