Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2016 | Page 24

A Winning Combination
Katie Leighton ’05 Facilitates Charitable Giving Through Athletics
BY EMMA DEANS

Athletes thrive under pressure. They
communicate effectively, understand
team dynamics, and achieve lofty
goals. For Katie Leighton ’05, those
qualities have carried over from her
playing career as a Golden Trojan
to her professional career as the
Manager for Consulting and Events
at Fenway Sports Management
(FSM)—a sister company to the Red
Sox and a leading marketing agency
in Boston.
Of her three sports at Thornton,
Leighton credits lacrosse with
changing her life, “When I was a
freshman I had never picked up a
stick—the fact that I was able to play
in college as a four-year starter is a
testament to Thornton Academy’s
ability to grow a program,” she said.
Leighton continued playing lacrosse
and soccer at Endicott College,
graduating with a degree in Sport
Management in 2009.
An internship with the Deutsche
Bank Championship helped land her
the position at FSM where she helps
corporate clients plan and execute
fundraising events for charities. She
assumes responsibility for everything
from the logistics of signage to the

Leighton ’05 planned an event at Foxwoods
Resort Casino that featured a rivalry panel with
former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek (right) and
former Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte (left), which
was emceed by television figure and former NFL
defensive end Michael Strahan (center).

setup of venues and the facilitation of
gifts. For example, Leighton has worked
on JetBlue’s Swing for Good annual golf
tournament, which spans three golf
courses, includes 450 players, and has
raised $3 million since its inception in
2009 for various charitable causes.
Leighton’s job requires long hours and
extensive travel, but it’s the little moments
she cherishes the most—like bringing a
young fan out onto the field at Fenway and
seeing her eyes light up with wonder.

Leighton and her
boyfriend Derek
Gauger display
their World Series
rings after the Red
Sox won the title in
2013. Gauger serves
as a member of the
Grounds Crew at
Fenway.

Leighton holds up the
Commissioner’s Trophy.
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