Dobbs, who will report directly to Team President Michael Priest, joined the organization in February 2015 as vice-president of community development and executive director of the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation. The Foundation has experienced record-breaking growth during her tenure as it has awarded over $1 million to local charitable and youth hockey organizations in each of the past three grant cycles to push the Foundation's cumulative support of youth health and wellness initiatives in central Ohio to $10.4 million since its inception in 2000. The team's community programs have also doubled its reach over the past three years and now support more than 200,000 local youth.
In 2017, Dobbs was recognized as a "40 Under 40" selection by Columbus Business First. That same year, the Foundation received the Outstanding Foundation Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Ohio chapter. In her new role, she will oversee the club's marketing, digital media, communications, community development, event presentation and government relations initiatives.
Dobbs graduated with a BBA in marketing from the University of North Georgia and has extensive marketing communications experience in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. She came to the Blue Jackets after serving as vice-president of philanthropy for YMCA of Central Ohio. She spent an additional 12 years as a senior-level YMCA executive in numerous locations around the country, executing nationally and internationally recognized marketing and fundraising campaigns, as well as developing and executing multi-channel communication campaigns and high-profile events. Working with local YMCA's and Y-USA, she spearheaded the organization's brand transformation for YMCA camps across the country.
