Benjamin Anderson Bashein is a seasoned social impact executive, with more than 25 years of experience advocating for resources, programs, and policies to address the most pressing issues facing society, including public health, youth development, human rights, disaster relief, and place-making. He has a unique expertise in collaborating with talent, creatives, athletes, and other influencers to advance their philanthropic goals.
Ben currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Tony Hawk’s foundation, The Skatepark Project (TSP). TSP provides funding, technical assistance, and advocacy support to local activists so they can establish free, safe, accessible skateparks in low-income and otherwise under-resourced communities. TSP has helped to build almost 700 parks across all 50 states, which are used by more than 9 million young people each year. Additionally, TSP supports programs that use skateboarding to undertake youth development for girls and young women in post-conflict countries such as Cambodia, Afghanistan, and South Africa. Under his leadership, the organization has successfully piloted a BIPOC Fellowship Program; launched a Native & Indigenous Skateboarding Program; expanded its Environmental Impact Award initiative; funded the international Good Push “Pushing Against Racism” grants; and inaugurated major new municipal partnerships to expand access to recreation from New York City to Atlanta, and from Boston to Sacramento.
Previously, Ben served as: Vice President of Partnerships & Communications at Sean Penn’s disaster relief and preparedness charity, CORE; Acting Vice President of Development for GMHC, the world’s first AIDS organization; Executive Director of ACRIA, the HIV charity of the art, fashion, and design communities; Senior Major Gifts Officer for Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Director of Development for Doctors of the World USA, the US section of French-founded international health and human rights group Medecins du Monde; and Development Officer at the UN’s Coalition for the International Criminal Court, among other roles. Additionally, he has consulted extensively with a focus on development, communications, and strategic planning for nonprofits, partnerships and CSR for brands, and cultural production and philanthropy across sectors.
Ben was appointed to the seven-member California State Parks and Recreation Commission by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2023. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors of New York City conservancy Gotham Park, and the advisory board of Miami-based environmental advocacy organization Bridge Initiative.
Ben divides his time between Los Angeles, Rancho Mirage, and New York City.