Leadership
2026 Special Olympics USA Games is guided by a distinguished collection of professionals and Special Olympics athlete leaders. Learn more about our Board of Directors, Honorary Co-Chairs, Executive Leadership Team, and Athlete Advisory Council.
Board of Directors

Adam Hjerpe

Terry Clark
Co-Presenting Partner
United Healthcare
United Healthcare

Caroline Jones
Co-Presenting Partner
Jersey Mike’s
Jersey Mike’s

Dave Dorn

Wendy Blackshaw

Jon Steadland
Chief of Staff, Office of the President
The University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota

David Booth
Athlete Representative

Will Smith
Athlete Representative
Honorary Co-Chairs

Brian Thompson
Chief Executive Officer
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare

Jenna Perkins
Special Olympics Athlete

Danny Striggow
Special Olympics Unified partner
Executive Leadership Team

Linda Lindamood
Athlete Advisory Council
Eric Baumann
Special Olympics Illinois
David Booth
Special Olympics Minnesota
John Conway
Special Olympics Minnesota
Tasha Feigh
Special Olympics Minnesota
Shaun Linsey
Special Olympics Texas
Grant Rader
Special Olympics Kansas
Tyler Sarff
Special Olympics Minnesota
Yoli Shields
Special Olympics Georgia
Will Smith
Special Olympics New York
Connor Tingle
Special Olympics Mississippi
Sulynnette Vega-Ledesma
Special Olympics Alaska