Stefany Shaheen named to Biden’s Sports, Fitness and Nutrition council
PORTSMOUTH — Stefany Shaheen, chairperson of the Portsmouth Police Commission and former member of the City Council, is being appointed to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition.
The White House announced President Joe Biden is nominating Shaheen — daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire. The council dates back to 1956 during the Eisenhower administration.
“I’m looking forward to working with the group and am honored to work on behalf of the president and getting started,” she said on Monday.
The list of 26 other appointees, includes NBA player Stephen Curry and his wife, author and entrepreneur Ayesha Curry; WNBA and Olympic gold medal winner Tamika Catchings; Olympians Chloe Kim, Chaunte Lowe and Elana Meyers Taylor; Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts; chefs Michael Solomonov and Jose Garces; and Kim Ng, a Miami Marlins executive and first woman to be hired as general manager of a major North American men’s professional team.
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“The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition is a federal advisory committee that aims to promote healthy, accessible eating and physical activity for all Americans, regardless of background or ability,” reads the White House’ announcement.
Shaheen, a New York Times bestselling author and mother of four, is the co-founder and president of Good Measures, a digital health company which offers personalized coaching to help people reach their health goals. The business was launched after her eldest daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which led to her writing “Elle and Coach” about the experience.
“When $1 out of every $4 in U.S. health-care costs is spent on caring for people with diabetes, we have to find better ways of addressing chronic disease in this country. We can do this and I look forward to getting to work with this esteemed and inspiring group of people,” she said.
The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition is co-chaired by chef and World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres and WNBA All-Star Elena Delle Donne, both of whom were appointed to two-year terms last year.
Each appointee would sit on the council for a term lasting two years.
“It’s such an honor, especially at this time in the nation’s history, being a part of such an esteemed group of people helping America to be healthier,” Shaheen said.
