“We first took at look at our buildings and facilities to make sure they were designed to keep kids safe.” The words came from Ju’Riese Colón, the then National Vice President of Child & Club Safety for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2018. In those days, Ju’Riese had been on the headlines as the key figure to bring changes in the system, specifically in taking up measures to minimize the fangs of abuse to the boys and girls. However, in the next seven years, things have gone through several changes. Such as, Ju’Riese rose to fame as the CEO of the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Her leadership earned accolades, and there had been hopes to see changes in the field she was working in. However, the tune broke on April 22, 2025, when she was ousted from her position in the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
The removal was abrupt, and the change was unexpected. However, by the decision, the authority put an end to a 6-year tenure that had once started with the target of making the institute a prominent one. But at this juncture, the question might be who Ju’Riese Colón actually is and what led to the current situation. Let’s get the scoop behind these questions.
Who is Ju’Riese Colón?
Ju’Riese Colón is a passionate and experienced child advocate who has dedicated her career to protecting children and empowering families. With over 15 years at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Ju’Riese served as the Executive Director of Prevention & Outreach, where she led national programs focused on child abduction prevention and the fight against sexual exploitation. Under her leadership, NCMEC’s educational initiatives reached children, families, schools, law enforcement, and communities across the country. She also served as the National Vice President of Child & Club Safety for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where she played a pivotal role in creating safer environments for millions of young people.
Additionally, In this national leadership role, she was responsible for developing and driving child safety strategies across more than 1,100 Boys & Girls Clubs organizations and nearly 4,300 Club locations nationwide—including those on Native lands and military bases. Overall, Ju’Riese led the charge in strengthening safety policies, enhancing staff training, and building a culture of accountability that prioritized the well-being of every child who walked through a Club’s doors. Her work empowered local organizations to meet the highest standards of child protection, ensuring safe spaces where kids could learn, grow, and thrive.
A proud alumna of Virginia Commonwealth University, Ju’Riese Colón holds degrees in Criminal Justice and Spanish. She also studied at the Proyecto Lingüístico Francisco Marroquín in Antigua, Guatemala, further enhancing her ability to engage with multicultural audiences and communities.
Ju’Riese Colón’s Career Highlights and Contributions to U.S. Sports
Ju’Riese Colón has spent her career at the forefront of child protection and athlete safety, guiding national efforts that have reshaped how organizations protect young people. She dedicated 15 impactful years to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), where she became a trusted leader in prevention and outreach, advocating for the safety of children across the country.
Following her tenure at NCMEC, Ju’Riese took on the role of National Vice President of Child & Club Safety for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where she led safety initiatives for more than 1,100 organizations and nearly 4,300 Club locations—including those on Native lands and military bases. Her leadership helped create safe, inclusive environments for millions of young people.
In a natural next step, Ju’Riese became the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, joining the organization when it was just two years old. Under her leadership, SafeSport has become a national voice for safeguarding athletes from abuse and misconduct in sports. In 2024, she shared her vision, saying: “At the U.S. Center for SafeSport, athlete safety and well-being are our priority. By educating communities on how they can help prevent abuse and misconduct in sport, we help every participant feel safe, supported and strengthened. And more than that, we seek to help parents and coaches foster settings that are more inclusive and accessible for all athletes.”
Her commitment to vulnerable youth continues on a national scale—since January 2025, she has served as a Representative Member of the National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth in the United States, bringing her expertise to one of the most pressing issues affecting young people today.
What Led to Ju’Riese Colón’s Departure as CEO?
The U.S. Center for SafeSport has faced significant challenges, none more troubling than its handling of former investigator Jason Krasley. Hired in 2021, Krasley was fired in late 2023 after the center learned he had been arrested for allegedly stealing money during a drug bust while serving as a police officer. Weeks later, he was arrested again—this time on charges of rape and sex trafficking. However, the then CEO Ju’Riese Colón called the episode “devastating,” acknowledging flaws in the center’s hiring process, which have since been revised. But in the meantime, the situation drew the attention of Sen. Chuck Grassley, who launched an inquiry after learning the center hired Krasley despite knowing he was under internal investigation. Colón responded with more details and committed to answering further questions by May 1.
Meanwhile, SafeSport has since contacted individuals involved in Krasley’s past cases, offering counseling and support. However, this outreach has stirred new concerns, with at least one person saying the notification retraumatized her. The incident, however, has raised fresh doubts about SafeSport’s ability to fulfill its mission—especially given its origins as a response to systemic failures in Olympic sports, including the abuse scandal involving Larry Nassar. Later, Ju’Riese was ousted and SafeSport announced that April Holmes, a Paralympic gold medalist and current board chair, will head an interim management committee while the search for Ju’Riese Colón’s successor is underway. Additionally, in a statement, the organization expressed gratitude for Colón’s leadership and reaffirmed its commitment to its core mission: transforming sports culture to protect athletes from abuse.
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