The Storm Just Made History, and This Hire Could Change Everything in Seattle
The Seattle Storm have always been about more than wins and losses. Now they're doubling down on that identity in a major way. Sheridan Blanford has been named the team's first-ever Chief Social Impact Officer, and honestly, this is huge for the Emerald City.
From the Court to Community Leadership
Blanford's resume reads like a blueprint for breaking barriers. She played college basketball at St. Olaf in Minnesota before carving out a career defined by firsts. At the University of Washington, she was the first Associate Athletic Director for diversity, equity and inclusion, a role that gave her a front-row seat to what it actually means to be invested in real change. But her leadership philosophy didn't start there. Her aunt, Rhonda Blanford-Green, was the first Black woman in the country to oversee a high school athletics association, leading the Colorado High School Activities Association throughout Blanford's upbringing. "I grew up watching her lead, be bold, be herself, lead with integrity and charisma, be powerful, make the people around her better," Blanford said. "She's one of the main reasons why I am me."
Taking the Storm's Legacy to the Next Level
The Storm have championed marginalized communities for decades, and Blanford sees something special in this organization. She described the team's culture as rare, one where commitment to social impact flows from ownership down through coaches, players and staff. "There's real power in it coming from the top down," she said. "It's integrated into how the players approach how they live their lives, how our coaches choose to lead and build culture."
In this new role, Blanford will work with the team's athletes to design and execute intentional programs and initiatives. Her department will focus on using the franchise's platform to advocate for equity, create access and directly invest in communities. The mission is clear: "How do we use our platform to advocate, to create access, to directly invest, to put our money where our mouth is and then really focusing on the development of youth, women, girls, and BIPOC and marginalized communities?"
A Personal Mission for Seattle
What drives Blanford is deeply personal. She frames her broader mission around being seen, supported and allowed to fail, experiences that shaped who she is. "It's my job in my life to ignite the light in other people by being a light myself," she said. That's the energy the Storm are bringing into this role, and it's exactly the kind of culture that makes Seattle's teams matter beyond the final score.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.