Whitman Annis named executive director of Devils Youth Foundation

Kate Whitman Annis is the new executive director of the Devils Youth Foundation, the New Jersey Devils announced Nov. 12.

Whitman Annis will lead the day-to-day operations of the foundation, a Newark-based nonprofit that aims to inspire young people through the power of sports and entertainment. Her duties include leading the organization’s fundraising, grant strategy, special event planning and community partner relationships. Whitman Annis will be responsible for driving positive change by leveraging the platform of sports and entertainment provided by the Devils and Prudential Center.

The Devils Youth Foundation said it would announce a $25,000 donation to a youth-focused charity on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.

“We are thrilled to announce Kate as the executive director of the Devils Youth Foundation,” said Devils Youth Foundation Chair Allison Blitzer in a statement. “Kate’s passion for public service, the youth of this region, and the game of hockey, will allow the Foundation to expand its reach and continue to support meaningful change and growth in the communities we serve. We are excited for the future of the Foundation under Kate’s leadership, as well as the celebration we have planned this weekend for a highly impactful local charity.”

Kate Whitman Annis, executive director of the Devils Youth Foundation. – HBSE

Whitman Annis joins the Devils Youth Foundation after serving as development director at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, where she led major gifts and fundraising programs, engagement, stewardship projects and special events for almost a decade. Before Pingry, she was a senior director of fund development and programs for the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey.

Whitman Annis was a collegiate ice hockey and lacrosse player at Wesleyan University and also served as the assistant coach and then general manager of the Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation, formerly the NWHL, between 2019 and 2021.

“I am excited to join the Devils Youth Foundation as their Executive Director,” said Whitman Annis. “It gives me the opportunity to maximize my experience in philanthropy, non-profit management, community engagement, and communications coupled with my passion for ice hockey. I am inspired by the the Foundation’s mission and feel confident that we have an unparalleled opportunity and platform to empower the youth of our New Jersey communities through sports, live entertainment and music.”

Whitman Annis received her master’s degree in Business Administration from the Solvay Brussels School and ENPC, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wesleyan. She lives in Morristown with her husband and their four sons.