DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks have appointed Jennifer Ridgeway as chief impact officer, reporting to President Ethan Casson. In her role, Ridgeway will lead corporate social responsibility strategy, philanthropic initiatives and community engagement for the Mavericks.
“Jen has earned tremendous respect across the NBA for her leadership and unwavering commitment to serving communities,” said Casson. “I know she’ll play an instrumental role in deepening the Mavericks’ impact across North Texas.”
Ridgeway joins the Mavericks from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, where she served in multiple leadership roles, including chief impact officer. In that role, she worked closely with executive leadership and ownership to shape the organization’s long-term community impact strategy while building relationships with civic leaders, corporate partners, nonprofit organizations, and local government.
“I’m honored to join the Dallas Mavericks and grateful for the opportunity to build on its proud tradition of excellence, innovation, and connection,” said Ridgeway. “Together, we will strengthen our commitment to fans across North Texas, while creating lasting impact in the communities we serve.”
Ridgeway also led the Minnesota Fastbreak Foundation as executive director and chaired the NBA Foundation’s Team Advisory Committee, facilitating collaboration with league-wide organizations to advance economic opportunity and community investment initiatives. Her leadership has earned recognition, both locally and nationally.
In 2021, Ridgeway was named a Sports Business Journal Game Changers honoree, celebrating female leaders who continue to shape the future of sports.
In 2024, she was recognized as a Minneapolis Saint Paul Business Journal “Women in Business” honoree.
Also, in 2024, under her leadership, the Minnesota Timberwolves received the NBA’s Inclusion Leadership Award for the “Pack the Vote” initiative, recognizing the team’s commitment to making inclusion a core business strategy through year-round nonpartisan voter education, voter registration, civic engagement, and efforts to empower fans and the community to participate in local and national elections.
A Minnesota native, Ridgeway earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, as well as further education through the Sports Philanthropy Executive Program at George Washington University and the Executive Leadership Program through the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.
