Head of the Charles Names Tori Stevens Next Executive Director
The Head of the Charles has selected Tori Stevens as its next executive director.
She succeeds Fred Schoch, the pioneering first and only executive director the 59-year-old regatta has ever known. Schoch led the growth and development of what is now the largest and best-known rowing event in America.
Stevens comes to rowing from a career in sports business, including ESPN’s X Games, after working as CEO of SUP3R, an affiliated company of marketing and events powerhouse Superfly. She has held executive positions at GumGum Sports, the Sports and Innovation Lab, CSM Sports & Entertainment, and the Boston Consulting Group. Stevens also serves on the board of USA Pickleball.
“I’m honored to be selected as the next executive director of the Head Of The Charles Regatta,” said Stevens. “I know we will build on the regatta’s legacy as we grow and innovate both in the sport of rowing and how we support our communities.”
The Head of the Charles, which claims to be the world’s largest rowing regatta, has faced funding challenges, first as brands moved away from event name sponsorship, then with increased costs after the Boston Marathon bombing and more recently Covid and inflation. Through it all, the event has been “Boston Strong,” relying on 2,400 volunteers, widespread community support, and funds banked during the regatta’s best financial years.
Stevens begins her new job July 1. In an exclusive interview with Rowing News the week before the announcement, she said no major changes are planned for next fall’s regatta (Oct. 18 to 20) and that her initial tasks include listening and learning more about rowing and the regatta.
“We were dedicated to finding a leader who would join us in our commitment to running a world-class regatta,” said Tim Fulham, chair of the HOCR board of directors, “and at the same time help us think proactively about the areas where we can continue to pioneer, grow, and improve.”
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