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Bank of America’s $5 million grant fuels athlete leadership and inclusivity ahead of the 2026 USA Games

Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, who attended UNC Wilmington, was the Twins’ second-round draft pick (59th overall) in 2018. Jeffers made his Major League debut on August 20, 2020, and was named the Charles O. Johnson Award winner as the Most Improved Twin in 2023. In 2024, he set career highs in numerous offensive categories including home runs, RBI, runs, hits, and doubles while being named the 2024 Mike Augustin “Media Good Guy” Award, voted on by the Twin Cities chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Beyond his on-field achievements, Jeffers is an active participant in the Minnesota Twins Community Fund, which focuses on empowering youth, fostering belonging, and nurturing the planet, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact across Twins Territory.

Boston Scientific will serve as the Official Softball Sponsor of the Games

Gabriela (Gaby) Dabrowski, a professional doubles tennis player from Canada, has ranked as high as World No. 4 (2022) on the WTA and is a 3x mixed doubles Grand Slam champion (2017 Roland Garros and 2019 Australian Open and 2023 U.S. Open). She holds 17 WTA doubles titles, and has competed in three different Olympics Game, including a Bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Joe Mauer, the Minnesota native and Minnesota Twins legend, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024 on the first ballot. Joe played 15 years in the Majors for the Twins highlighted by three batting titles (a feat no catcher has ever achieved), an American League MVP, three Gold Gloves, six Silver Slugger Awards, and six All-Star appearances. Joe is the only catcher in history with at least 2,000 hits, a .300+ batting average and a .380+ on-base percentage.

Lucas Giambelluca serves as President for Bank of America Twin Cities, where he connects clients, teammates, and communities to the full power of the company’s resources. With 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Lucas plays a key role in deploying Bank of America’s philanthropic efforts in Minnesota, driving growth and presence in the state. He is committed to strengthening local communities, creating economic opportunities, and supporting workforce development and volunteerism. For Lucas, making a difference matters—and it’s a value he lives every day through volunteerism and leadership.

Take on extra training and responsibilities now to help ensure a seamless experience at the Games!

BI WORLDWIDE will produce Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Denis McDonough most recently served as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from 2021 to 2025, leading the federal government’s second-largest agency with a $370 billion annual budget and more than 450,000 employees. Under his leadership, VA saw year-over-year increases in the number of Veterans receiving care and benefits, higher satisfaction with health services, and significant progress in reducing Veteran homelessness—nearly 48,000 Veterans were placed in permanent housing in 2024 alone. Known for his bipartisan approach and commitment to service, Denis also previously served as White House Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama, overseeing domestic and national security policy, government performance, and the recruitment of top talent across federal agencies.