Brenda Smith Elected as USA Triathlon Foundation Board of Trustees Chair, Rick Hrabchak Elected Vice Chair

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Brenda Smith, a USA Triathlon Foundation Board of Trustees member since 2019, has been elected as USA Triathlon Foundation Board of Trustees Chair, USA Triathlon today announced. Smith succeeds Alex Egan who served as Chair since 2023, and she is only the second female to serve as Chair on the Foundation Board of Trustees.

The remaining three officer positions are filled by Rick Hrabchak as Vice Chair and Bill Shenkin and Reggie Waller were re-elected to their roles of Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. 

"It’s an incredible honor to welcome our new Board of Trustees Officers. Each of these individuals brings not only a wealth of experience but a deep, personal passion for growing our sport and supporting athletes at every level. I’m inspired by their commitment, and I’m excited for what we’ll accomplish together to make triathlon more inclusive, accessible, and life-changing for so many," said Christi-Marie Butler, Chief Development Officer for the USA Triathlon Foundation.  

Brenda is the Chief People Officer for the Olympic Authority of the State of New York, where she leads all human resource functions for three Alpine venues and the Olympic Venues including the Olympic Oval, the 1980 Rink, the Ski Jumping Complex and the Bobsled Run. Brenda also works as an attorney. Prior to her role at the Olympic Authority, Brenda was the Vice President of Labor Relations for the Fashion Institute in Manhattan.

Smith graduated from Northeastern University with her Master of Science in Human Resource Management. She then went on to earn her law degree from New England Law in Boston. She completed her education with a Harvard graduate degree in education.  Brenda also serves as an advisory board member at the Ironman Foundation. In 2024, Smith made a milestone gift to the USA Triathlon Foundation, launching the James H. Smith Legacy Society. Brenda’s seven-figure gift was the inaugural legacy donation to be documented in support of the USA Triathlon Foundation.

A longtime triathlete and multiple-time IRONMAN finisher, Smith resides in Lake Placid, NY.

“I am honored to be serving as Chair of the USAT Foundation Board of Trustees. In my time on the board, I have seen its reach and impact grow exponentially. It will be a pleasure to steward the board and USAT to new heights and create lasting impact for the triathlon community” quoted Smith.

A member of the Board since 2024, Hrabchak is the new USA Triathlon Foundation Board of Trustees Vice Chair, replacing Audra Mallow who served as Vice Chair since 2023.

Rick graduated from Duke University and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his Master of Business Administration. He spent 29 years at Prudential Financial, serving in various investment and portfolio management roles.

Hrabchak currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Mutual of Omaha, where he oversees the financial, actuarial and capital management functions, and serves as a key leader in the development of the company’s strategic business plans. He formerly served as Mutual's Chief Investment Officer, where he was responsible for the management and oversight of the company’s $45 billion investment portfolio.

Hrabchak and his wife, Susan, are generous donors to the USA Triathlon Foundation, along with being avid triathletes and marathon runners. They reside in both Omaha, NE and Park City, UT.

“I am honored to be elected part of the leadership team of USA Triathlon Foundation's Board of Trustees,” Hrabchak stated. “Along with all of our Trustees, Ambassadors and Supporters, I look forward to enhancing and accelerating the strong growth trajectory of USA Triathlon and the Multi-Sport community.”

USA Triathlon CEO, Victoria Brumfield, extends a heartfelt thank you to the outgoing officers. “We are deeply grateful to our outgoing Chair, Alex Egan, and Vice Chair, Audra Mallow, for their exceptional leadership and commitment”. “During their tenure, we’ve seen game-changing philanthropic impact that has advanced our mission, expanded access to the sport, and strengthened our investment in Olympic and Paralympic pathways. We’re thrilled they will remain on the board, where their continued support will be instrumental as we drive toward our goals leading up to the LA Games.”

For more information about the USA Triathlon Foundation Board of Trustees, visit https://www.usatriathlon.org/foundation/about.