ATLANTA – MAY 21, 2024 – Arthur M. Blank, Atlanta Falcons owner and chairman, today announced the addition of four new limited partners to the organization's ownership group following approval from the NFL's full ownership at league meetings in Nashville. The new limited partners, pending final closing of the agreements, are Rosalind Brewer, Dominique Dawes, Will Packer and Rashaun Williams.
They join the current group of limited partners that includes Brian Barker, Ron Canakaris, Warrick Dunn, Doug Hertz, Alan Kestenbaum, Edward Mendel and Derek Smith.
Brewer, Dawes, Packer and Williams have made their marks in corporate business, athletics, entertainment, and finance. Each brings keen business acumen, leadership and perspectives that will enhance the ownership group in a variety of ways. Brewer has served as an associate director on the board of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation since 2016 and will continue in that role.
"Roz, Dominique, Will and Rashaun are impressive leaders who have made an impact in a variety of enterprises, while also building histories of success making a difference in the world around them and positively impacting people in ways that align very well with our Core Values," said Blank. "Each brings unique talent, experience and perspective to our ownership group so I'm excited to have them on board as limited partners and to tapping their vast expertise in finding ways to continue building the Atlanta Falcons and making an even bigger difference in our community."
New limited partners for any team in the league are carefully vetted by the team, league office and the NFL's Finance Committee, before being advanced to a full vote of the NFL's 32 owners. The vote on the Atlanta Falcons' new LPs occurred today in Nashville and they are approved effective immediately.
Statement From Rosalind Brewer
"As I embrace the opportunity to become a limited partner of the Atlanta Falcons, I'm reminded that true leadership extends beyond boardrooms and onto the fields where dreams are forged and communities united. My journey has always been about people – their stories, aspirations and the communities we build together. Having worked with Arthur and his Foundation for several years, I have deep respect and appreciation for the values that guide everything Arthur does in his businesses and philanthropy – his impact on Atlanta has been immeasurable. With this incredible opportunity, I look forward to championing the Falcons' successes and Atlanta's spirit as we strive to make a genuine difference in the lives we touch, both on and off the field."
Statement From Dominique Dawes
"Throughout the course of my life, making an impact on others has always been my driving force. What I accomplished in 1996, winning America's first Team Gold Medal in gymnastics and as the first African-American to win Gold, in the city of Atlanta, has given me, to this day, the greatest platform to continually inspire others. The unique opportunity Mr. Blank has provided enables me to further my positive impact on those in the Atlanta community, a place I hold near and dear to my heart. Having been a global ambassador for the United States, I hope that my platform and influence as one of the few African American women to be a limited partner in the National Football League has broad impact throughout the NFL community and beyond."
Statement From Will Packer
"The power of representation and equity should never be underestimated and as someone who has dedicated his career to creating diverse imagery, I have a true appreciation of Mr. Blank's commitment to opening doors that have historically been closed to African Americans. This investment represents not only the personal opportunity of a lifetime, but also the chance to demonstrate for generations to come that someone who looks like me can excel not only on the field, but at the highest level of the exclusive ranks of NFL ownership."
Statement From Rashaun Williams
"NFL football is the great unifier, bringing people together across socioeconomic, racial, and political divides. As an alumnus of Morehouse College now raising a family in Atlanta, I could not be more excited to invest in the Falcons. I believe in the immense potential of this team and this city to Rise Up to the greatest heights, and I look forward to supporting the Falcons and the city of Atlanta for many successful seasons to come."
| Brewer is an influential corporate executive celebrated for her visionary leadership, trailblazing initiatives, and advocacy for positive change in global business. Brewer served as President and CEO of Walgreen Boots Alliance, Inc., a global leader in retail pharmacy and healthcare, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and navigating the complexities of the healthcare landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Chief Operating Officer of Starbucks Corporation, she played a critical role in driving operational excellence, enhancing customer experiences, and fostering beverage and digital innovation across Starbucks’ stores worldwide. Prior to Starbucks, Brewer was President and CEO of Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart Inc., where she orchestrated digital initiatives like “Scan and Go” to elevate the company’s performance and bolster its market position. | |
| Dawes is a three-time Olympic gymnast (Barcelona ’92, Atlanta ’96, Sydney ’00), Olympic Gold Medalist and Owner and CEO of the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academies. Dawes’ passion has always been to educate and empower families, women and young girls on issues related to physical and mental health. She has been a national ambassador for a number of non-profits and corporations. Dawes served as the co-chair of the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports and Nutrition from 2010-16. She is a newly elected member of the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame, Fall 2023. Dawes holds her degree from the University of Maryland/College Park and was inducted into UMD’s prestigious Hall of Fame in 2022. In 2024, her hometown of Montgomery County, Maryland will honor her career and legacy with a life size statue to continue inspiring the next generation to follow in her footsteps. | |
| Packer, one of Hollywood’s most influential and record-breaking filmmakers, has produced or executive produced a wide range of movies grossing more than $1 billion worldwide at the box office. Ten of his films have opened at number one. Packer’s films “Girls Trip” and “Night School” were the highest grossing comedies at the box office for 2017 and 2018. Packer has received multiple Emmy nominations including one for his work leading the first all-Black producing team to produce the Academy Awards. In addition to movies, Packer’s television, digital, and branded content company, Will Packer Media, produces episodic scripted and unscripted series across television, podcasts and digital platforms, as well as compelling content for brand clients and short-form digital content for millennial audiences. Packer serves on the board of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation and is a longtime supporter of HBCU initiatives. He has received an honorary doctoral degree from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) supporting his work as a leading industry and community leader. Packer is a magna cum laude graduate of Florida A&M University (FAMU) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Packer received the Meritorious Achievement Award from Florida A&M, the highest honor the university bestows. In a 2021 ceremony, FAMU dedicated and officially opened the Will Packer Student Performing Arts Amphitheater. | |
| Williams is a family office investor, venture capitalist and financial literacy activist with over 170 investments under his belt and over 50 exits. Williams is the founder of his family office Value Investment Group and also a general partner in the MVP All-Star Fund. He co-founded venture capital fund Queensbridge Venture Partners where he was an early investor in companies like Robinhood, Coinbase, Casper, Ring, PillPack, Lyft and Dropbox. Over the last twenty years, he has been primarily responsible for bringing capital to emerging, diverse and alternative markets while working at Wall Street firms such as Goldman Sachs, Wachovia Securities and Deutsche Bank. In 2007 he founded Dixsville Partners, a private equity fund investing in infrastructure development and mineral companies in West Africa. Williams has successfully started, invested in, and exited several companies. With a passion for financial literacy and entrepreneurship, Williams founded the Kemet Institute in 2001, a non-profit focused on providing free financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and life skills classes to under-served communities and schools. In 2023, Williams founded Antimatter Business Partners to teach athletes and entertainers how to operate their own private equity family offices. In 2015 he was appointed to the Board of Trustees for Fisk University. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., and summa cum laude graduate of Morehouse College. |
