Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation Announces Major Educational Commitment from San Gabriel Valley Family

The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation has announced a major foundational commitment from San Gabriel Valley resident Mark Shuster and his family to assist in expanding the Rose Bowl Institute educational initiative at the stadium.

Shuster’s key but undisclosed commitment will specifically focus on the annual Women’s Empowerment Symposium program held within the Rose Bowl Institute and will be a catalyst in growing the initiative over the next several years. The symposium program aims to develop strong female leaders among Southern California regional high school juniors, seniors, and college students. This year it will expand nationally due to the growth of virtual and digital platforms.

“The Rose Bowl Institute is providing critical educational resources to youth and community through conversations and dialogues to shift mindsets,” said Shuster. “I hope that the gift from my family inspires others to do what they can to continue sparking this valuable initiative as our venerable stadium leans into its upcoming centennial birthday in 2022.”

The Rose Bowl Women’s Empowerment Symposium will return for its second year on Sept. 16, 17, and 18 as a free virtual educational event to empower young women under the newly formed Rose Bowl Institute, and will include key speakers such as former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Olympian Lauren Gibbs, sportscaster Jessica Mendoza, NBC Los Angeles news anchor Beverly White, soccer stars Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy, among others.

The virtual event, which will also offer scholarships opportunities to those who attend, is open for pre-registration for high school and college-aged females and males at https://womensempowermentsymposium.splashthat.com/.

The Rose Bowl Institute is a one-of-a-kind platform that champions key sports values such as sportsmanship, leadership, citizenship, and more through educational programs, intimate dialogues, and awards to inspire youth and community life. Launched in early August, the Institute has already impacted thousands during its initial dialogue on Race and Sports. The Women’s Empowerment Symposium will continue this trend as it builds college and career-focused female leaders with targeted education, enrichment, and engagement.

Throughout the Women’s Empowerment Symposium, topical panels, speakers, and networking opportunities showcase female leadership, confidence, and character during the free virtual sessions. Female leaders of the future will benefit from the Rose Bowl Institute’s approach to learning from sports values and experiences.

As a long-standing member of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation’s advisory board, Shuster is also a member of the Institute’s founding advisory board that is comprised of key civic and sports leaders from around the nation, such as Ronnie Lott, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Billie Jean King, Jessica Mendoza, Brandi Chastain, Dan Fouts, and Marcellus Wiley.

“Mark has been a critical supporter of so many Rose Bowl Stadium initiatives over the years,” said Stadium CEO Darryl Dunn. “Without Mark’s belief in our vision, our momentum would not be what it is today. We are so thankful for that.”

Shuster has been an active supporter of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation’s vision for many years through supporting various initiatives to preserve, protect, and enhance the National Historic Landmark stadium.

As the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation continues its INSPIRE centennial campaign effort which aims to raise $40 million before the venue’s 100th birthday in 2022, the addition of the Rose Bowl Institute educational platform to supplement the capital improvement and heritage protection initiatives has already bolstered its philanthropic support base. The campaign is currently near 50 percent complete toward its initial goal.

“Thank you to Mark and his family for continuing to inspire a culture of giving as we protect, preserve and enhance the future of this great venue and the communities it serves,” said Legacy’s Chief Development Officer Dedan Brozino. “Mark’s specific interest to invest in the Women’s Empowerment Symposium and the Rose Bowl Institute shows his family’s deep commitment to the importance of educating our youth on key values that will help them navigate a positive and empowered life.”

A graduate of Fresno State University, Shuster is the founder and president of the Pasadena-based Shuster Financial Group, LLC. In addition to his ongoing generous support of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, Shuster and his family have generously supported institutions across the country focusing on women’s athletics and the empowerment of women in sports for over 15 years, including key gifts at LMU and Fresno State among others. He is a past chair of the board of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.

To learn more about the Rose Bowl Institute, visit www.RoseBowlInstitute.org. The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, which is in the midst of a $40 million capital campaign to celebrate the venue’s upcoming centennial, can be found at the campaign’s website, www.INSPIRE2022.org.