Strava's Brian Bell and Footlocker's Tai Neal Join the Running Industry Diversity Coalition's Board
From the RIDC board:
The Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC) is thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our two newest board members, Brian Bell of Strava and Tai Neal of Footlocker. We are excited to have such accomplished and dedicated individuals join our board leadership at this time, bringing their wealth of experience and expertise to further our mission of uniting the running industry to improve the inclusion, visibility, and access for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.
Brian and Tai's invaluable insights and contributions will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to drive positive change and create a more inclusive landscape for all runners and enthusiasts.
We look forward to the transformative work ahead and are confident that, together, we will continue making significant strides.
Brian Bell serves as Strava’s Vice President of Global Communications and Social Impact and is a member of the organization's executive management team. In this role, Brian is responsible for shaping the global communications strategy and leading societal impact initiatives like Metro and Strive for More. Since joining in 2021, he has cultivated key programs such as Camp Strava and the aforementioned Strive for More program.
Prior to joining Strava, Brian gained experience with notable brands across various industries, including consumer packaged goods, non-profit organizations, quick-service restaurants, retail, and the NFL. His professional journey includes roles at CEC Entertainment, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation, Glazer Family Foundation, Wingstop Restaurants, Dr Pepper Snapple Group (now Keurig Dr Pepper), and Pier 1.
Notably, during his tenure as the Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Glazer Family Foundations, Brian launched a groundbreaking initiative—the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Girls in Football Scholarship Fund. This $250,000 commitment supports graduating high school seniors involved in organized football, with plans to enroll in a full-time accredited four-year college or university.
While at Keurig Dr Pepper, Brian executed popular campaigns like Snapple’s “Real Fact.” He brought to life “Real Fact #444: The Statue of Liberty wears a size 879 sandal,” delivering a life-sized sandal to Lady Liberty. The campaign generated coverage in top-tier business and broadcast outlets, including CNN, NBC, CNBC, and GMA.
Most recently, Brian was recognized as a PR Week 40 Under 40 honoree. Additionally, he actively contributes to the Public Relations Society of America's Dallas chapter and the National Association of Black Journalists. Brian served as a guest lecturer at Loyola University and is a member of the 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M University. Fun fact: he recently completed the 2023 New York City marathon.
20-year retail and merchandising veteran, Tai Neal, Vice President of Strategy for Foot Locker’s Leading Education and Economic Development (LEED) Initiative, the company’s commitment to invest in, amplify and empower the Black community. LEED combines her love for athletics and fashion with her deep commitment to driving diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Tai, a native of Harlem, New York and Hampton University graduate, has an expansive retail career that includes athletic and luxury brands. Her experience includes global marketing, omni channel, strategic planning, and revenue growth for brands such as Ermenegildo Zegna and Foot Locker. In 2015, Tai became a SGB Media’s 40 under 40 award recipient for her leadership and making a difference in the sporting goods and active lifestyle industry.
Today, Tai leads a team committed to investing in, amplifying, and empowering the Black community and is excited to join RIDC to help the industry make strides in diversity. With a great passion for running established in 2009 and completing the New York City marathon in 2011 – Tai is well equipped to create and implement change.
Whether running or working to create change within the communities Foot Locker and the LEED Initiative serve, Tai believes that providing visibility to youth from underserved communities gives them an example of what that can one day become.
Meet the RIDC’s current board leadership.
P.S. Thank you to everyone who sent in a nomination! The board reviewed dozens of nominees, and we want to express our appreciation for the outstanding individuals who were put forward. We look forward to staying in touch with all the nominees for future opportunities. Your contributions and achievements are truly commendable.
