Hi there,

This is a difficult email for me to write, but for the best reasons. I will be retiring from my role as CEO of Special Olympics International at the close of this year, the latest chapter in my 47 years with this movement. It’s not easy to put 47 years into words, but here are a few…

Special Olympics has shaped every part of my life, from my earliest days as a volunteer to these final weeks as CEO. I keep coming back to the simple lessons I’ve learned from athletes along the way. 

Joy comes from being fully welcomed and included. 

Courage is ALL about heart and hard work.

Leadership means sharing generously with others what is possible.

These are simple but not small lessons. They are the foundation of a better, kinder world that Special Olympics helps build every day. This is my LAST ask of you as CEO before my retirement and the end of the year: Will you make a donation to help more athletes compete while every gift is 3X matched by our Founding Partner, The Coca-Cola Company? 

When I think back over these 47 years – from coaching gymnastics, to helping organize World Games, to advocating for and with athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) on the global stage – one truth has remained the same. The strength of this movement has always come from the people who believe in it. 

Families. Coaches. Volunteers. Fans. Every brave athlete. Every supporter like you.

While I am retiring from my role, I am not stepping away from our mission. I trust in each and every one of you to keep our flame burning bright. The best days of Special Olympics are ahead of us because of the joy, courage, and loving leadership that this community brings to the world every day.

This is one of your last chances to give in 2025. I’m humbly asking one final time: Please donate today to give the next Special Olympics athlete a chance to get in the game and become the champion they were born to be. Every gift will be triple matched!

Thank you for supporting Special Olympics and our athletes. It has been the honor of my life to be in the Special Olympics family. 

With gratitude, now and always,

Mary Davis Chief Executive Officer Special Olympics