The Storm Just Made History: Meet the Woman Changing Seattle's Game Off the Court
The Seattle Storm have always been about more than basketball. They've been about pushing boundaries, fighting for what's right, and using their platform for real change. Now they're putting their money where their mouth is in a major way. Sheridan Blanford just became the Storm's first-ever Chief Social Impact Officer, and she's not here to play small.
From the Stands to the Front Office
Blanford's journey to this historic role is woven through basketball and leadership in equal measure. She played college ball at St. Olaf in Minnesota before landing at the University of Washington, where she became the first Associate Athletic Director for diversity, equity and inclusion. That experience? It taught her what it really means to be invested in something bigger than yourself.
But here's the thing: her leadership DNA comes from watching someone else lead first. Her aunt, Rhonda Blanford-Green, made history as the first Black woman in the entire country to oversee a high school athletics association, running the Colorado High School Activities Association throughout Blanford's childhood. "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."
Building on the Storm's Foundation
The Storm organization is rare. They've been championing marginalized communities for years, and that commitment flows from ownership down through coaches, players, and staff. Blanford sees the power in that structure. "There's real power in it coming from the top down," she said. It's baked into how players live their lives and how coaches build culture.
In her new role, Blanford will design and execute intentional programs alongside the team's athletes. Her focus is clear: use the franchise's platform to advocate for equity, create access, and directly invest in communities. "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 Mission Built on Being Seen
For Blanford, this job is personal. It's about igniting the light in other people by being a light herself. "It's my job in my life to ignite the light in other people by being a light myself."
The Storm have set the tone on the court with game-changing plays. Now they're setting it off the court too, and Blanford is leading the charge into a whole new level.
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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.