San Diego Sport Innovators started within the CONNECT organization.  Recognizing San Diego's thriving sports industry as a growing vertical in the region, CONNECT SI was formed to create a central platform that brought businesses, entrepreneurs, research, resources and ideas together to move the industry forward.  In 2010 CONNECT SI adopted its own name, and branched out as San Diego Sport Innovators or SDSI, as NBA Hall of Famer, Bill Walton, lead the organization as Executive Chairman of the Board.

Today, San Diego Sport Innovators mission is to establish San Diego (and Southern California) as the core of the healthy living, sports and active lifestyle community. Through supporting companies at all stages, we help create jobs, but not just any jobs, jobs that make our city and our residents, and ultimately our nation, a healthier, happier place to be.

OUR TEAM

Bob Rief, Executive Director

Long-time businessman in the ski, outdoor, golf, and surf world. "I started as a ski technician and lift operator while struggling through the University of Colorado. In the course of too many years to recount, or recall, I held positions as marketing director and sales manager at Nordica USA, VP of sales and marketing for Swiss-based Raichle-Molitor, GM of Merrell Footwear, President of Nike Golf, VP/assistant to Ely Callaway of Callaway Golf, CEO of Reef sandals and Sanuk Footwear,  Operating Officer for Boardworks and C4waterman and most recently CEO of OTZ shoes. In the course of life, I have had the pleasure of working with bigger-than-life founders, great retailers, and a deep group of Waterman. I have seen it all, from failure to successes, and occasionally wonder at it all while perched on the tailgate of my Woodie, usually at the Cardiff Reef, usually over a BBQ and a cerveza. I hope to pass on the experiences I have had to younger entrepreneurs here in our amazing San Diego, in the hopes they will rise higher and make one less mistake than I did!" 

Renne Catalano Gussman, Director of Business Development

Renne has dedicated the last eight years to supporting the growth of the Sports and Active Lifestyle (SAL) industry and helping aspiring SAL entrepreneurs reach their goals through her work with San Diego Sport Innovators (SDSI) and its business Accelerator Program. Since joining SDSI in 2010 as its second employee, Renne has played a pivotal role in the organization’s growth, the development of SDSI's Accelerator Program (formerly known as Springboard), helping to establish San Diego as the home of the SAL industries and educating the business community on the $1.8B (and growing) impact the SAL cluster has on the regional economy. As the Director of Business Development, Renne oversees the organization’s membership which is at a historic high of 100 member companies. Renne loves to go to work every day, she is inspired by the courageous entrepreneurs working in SDSI's Mentors programs and is privileged to serve and learn from the eclectic and powerful group of executives across SDSI's membership.

Raised: Averill Park, NY
Education: State University of NY College at Geneseo and Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC
Favorite Sport: Surfing is my favorite obsession, running keeps me sane and soccer was my first love.

Dana Rowley, Mentoring Programs Coordinator

Dana has worked with SDSI in multiple capacities, first working with the organization as the Marketing Director for a member company, to volunteering as a mentor and now joining SDSI part time as the Mentoring Programs Coordinator.   A marketing professional with over 15 years of experience, Dana is a Marketing Consultant and Brand Strategist serving small businesses and startups, and enjoys bringing her unique multi-angled perspective to the SDSI team.  With a degree in Sociology from the University of California Santa Barbara, Dana has varied experience spanning many marketing disciplines and industries from FM Radio Promotions to Sports Accessories.  In addition, Dana has a life long love of the water and has a history of coaching and teaching swimming to all ages and ability levels.

Raised: San Diego, CA
Education: University of California, Santa Barbara
Favorite Sport: Oh so many!!  I love all things water and regularly swim, surf and stand up paddle.  I've also maintained a consistent yoga practice for over 15 years, as well as love to snowboard and hike with my husband and dog.  I'll even admit my guilty pleasure is dancing - you can catch me from time to time in a Zumba or UJam class at the YMCA.

Sam Roberts, Digital Marketing and Events

Sam the newest member of the SDSI, joined the team in September of 2021 in the position of Digital Marketing and Events Coordinator. In this position, Sam helps with the promotion and management of all members-related events for SDSI, as well as assists Executive Chairman, Bill Walton in his daily activities. Sam graduated from Oregon State University in the Spring of 2021. During his four years in Corvallis, Sam worked for Oregon State Baseball for 2 years on the newly developed video and analytics squad. He worked closely with players and coaches in player development, as well as advanced scouting during the season. Sam also worked as the VP of Recruitment Marketing for all of Oregon State’s Fraternity & Sorority life during his junior year, managing and coordinating events throughout the year to bring new members to the community. After graduation, Sam continued his passion for sports by coaching travel baseball for kids during the summer. 

Raised: Poway, CA
Education: Oregon State University 
Favorite Sport: Loved every sport, even if I didn’t know how to play. Competitively I mainly played baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, and water polo. Coming back to San Diego after graduation I look to get back into surfing, which I did a lot when I was a kid.