Forbes - USA (2019-12-31)

PROMOTION

Celebrating 100 Seasons By Creating A

More Diverse And Inclusive Future

As the NFL celebrates its 100th season, it is equally

important to recognize the diverse leadership and

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and in the front office. To be a leader in best business

practices, the NFL understands that diversity is an

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entire organization, not in just one aspect of it.

The NFL continues to seek full diversity throughout its

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To achieve this, it is vital to implement collective and

innovative solutions that foster an inclusive environment.

Those responsible for the game within football

operations exemplify our diversity. This group, led by

executive vice president of football operations Troy

Vincent, includes: David Gardi, SVP of game operations

and compliance; Al Riveron, SVP of officiation; Dawn

Aponte, chief football administrative officer; Arthur

McAfee, SVP of player engagement; Tracy Perlman, SVP

of football communications and marketing; and Natara

Holloway, VP of football strategy and business operations.

Along with the entire NFL staff, these individuals

work tirelessly to formalize partnerships with historically

black colleges and universities, the American Football

Coaches Association and the National Collegiate Athletic

Association and to create programs that foster a diverse

talent pipeline.

Key initiatives where the NFL champions diverse hiring

practices are the Rooney Rule and the HBCU Careers in

Football Forum. These opportunities are ever-evolving in

order to maximize impact. Last year, the NFL implemented

new guidelines for the Rooney Rule that continues to open

the door of opportunity for hiring head coaches and

football operation executives. While the HBCU Careers in

Football Forum, which takes place in conjunction with the

Celebration Bowl, focuses on informing and giving HBCU

students access to oppor tunities that can jump-star t their

careers in professional sports.

In addition, the Football Operations team oversees the

Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship and the Nunn-

Wooten Scouting Fellowship. The Bill Walsh Diversity

Coaching Fellowship is designed to increase the number

of full-time NFL minority coaches by providing them

with access, resources and experience. Whereas the

Nun-Wooten Scouting Fellowship exposes interested

former players to a career in professional scouting. Both

programs recognize the value that diversity brings to the

success of the game.

As the NFL celebrates 100 seasons, we remain

committed to creating opportunities that foster a diverse

and inclusive environment.

TROY VINCENT

Executive Vice President

of Football Operations

ARTHUR MCAFEE

SVP Player Engagement

DAVID GARDI

SVP Game Operations

and Compliance

TRACY PERLMAN

SVP Football Communications

and Marketing

ALBERTO RIVERON

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NATARA HOLLOWAY

VP Football Strategy

and Business Operations

DAWN APONTE

Chief Football

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The National Football League Is A Proud Supporter Of The Executive Leadership Council And Its Goals, Leading With Purpose.