DENVER, CO--(Marketwired - November 02, 2016) - The U.S. Center for SafeSport (SafeSport), the first national nonprofit dedicated to preserving the safety and well-being of athletes, today announced Shellie Pfohl as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

SafeSport's hope is for every athlete to be safe, supported and strengthened on and off the field. The Center will work collaboratively with sports organizations to ensure a culture of safety through awareness, best practices, education and training.

"Shellie is a natural leader who brings three decades in healthy lifestyle, fitness, and the well-being of young athletes to her new role," said Frank Marshall, Chairman, U.S. Center for SafeSport. "It is a seminal moment in SafeSport's evolution and Shellie's the right person to lead our organization into this critical period."

"I am incredibly grateful to have served the American people through the work of the President's Council," said Pfohl. "SafeSport's mission is tremendously important and I look forward to seeing the positive impact we can have on the lives of athletes at all levels of sport."

Pfohl joins SafeSport following a successful tenure as Executive Director of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010. Under Pfohl's leadership, the Council played a significant role in advancing First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. She also directed the Council's programs to engage, educate and empower all Americans to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

Pfohl championed the modernization of the longstanding and outdated President's Challenge Youth Fitness Test and launched the Presidential Youth Fitness Program. She also spearheaded the revitalization of I Can Do It, You Can Do It!, a health promotion program that partners with schools and communities to ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities to be active and eat healthy.

Prior to her role at the President's Council, Pfohl served as Senior Vice President at a fitness technology company and was the founder and executive director of Be Active North Carolina.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded through charitable giving. Its independent board of directors is comprised of nine professionals with expertise in areas of abuse, prevention, investigation and compliance. The cornerstone of the organization's mission is education through awareness, resources and training.