Founder of Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, Tom Vernon has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer.
The decision has been announced today, Tuesday, March 12.
“I decided some time ago that at my 25-year anniversary I would stop as the CEO of Right to Dream. That day has arrived and today is my last day as CEO of the community I founded and love,” Tom Vernon said.
He further disclosed that he has agreed with the Mansour Family to a new role as Executive vice chairman, staying on the board of RtD group and San Diego FC.
“This will see me activity supporting our clubs and academies in Egypt and San Diego non-operationally and FC Nordsjaelland as Chairman, however after a quarter century of pushing Right to Dream inch by inch it’s time to achieve a better family balance and spend my reduced time supporting our amazing leadership one step back from the front line, where I can focus on deepening and strengthening our culture and the global connectivity within our community. With my newfound time and flexibility I will prioritize Family and Ghana my 1st loves,” he explained.
Read the full statement below:
I decided some time ago that at my 25 years anniversary I would stop as the CEO of Right to Dream. That day has arrived and today is my last day as CEO of the community I founded and love.
I have agreed with the Mansour Family a new role as Executive vice chairman, staying on the board of RtD group and San Diego FC. This will see me activity supporting our clubs and academies in Egypt and San Diego non-operationally and FC Nordsjaelland as Chairman, however after a quarter century of pushing Right to Dream inch by inch it’s time to achieve a better family balance and spend my reduced time supporting our amazing leadership one step back from the front line, where I can focus on deepening and strengthening our culture and the global connectivity within our community. With my new found time and flexibility I will prioritize Family and Ghana my 1st loves😍
Ghana are still only scratching the surface in unlocking the potential of the worlds most talented kids and I’m looking forward to being ‘home’ in Old Akrade much more regularly. I will also look to share my many learnings with some of the incredible projects and people that share my core belief that everyone has the Right to Dream.
From the 1st team (below) we started 25 years ago we have grown to community with 4 academies and professional clubs in Denmark Egypt and America and we will soon have 1000 members of our community across Staff players and students, (many more of you include our graduated killing it at the best universities, companies and football clubs in the world). It’s been an unbelievable journey and I wouldn’t change a single second.
Our new CEO is Dan Dickinson and there is no one better suited to further knit together our community and grow it. We have been partners for over a decade and friends for much longer. I’m privileged to now work with him even closer in our new roles.
My greatest blessing is the knowledge that these 25 years would not be possible without my Parents who funded Right to Dream when no one else would and My wife who co-created the vision and reality. It’s not lost on me how lucky I am.
I’m off to the dressing room for a half time recovery and team talk and hope to extend the lead in the 2nd half.
