Tom Vernon, the founder and CEO of Right to Dream, has announced his departure from the organization after 25 years of dedicated service.
Vernon shared his decision in a heartfelt message on LinkedIN, expressing his gratitude for the incredible journey and outlining his future plans.
In his announcement, Vernon revealed that he had long planned to step down from his role at the helm of Right to Dream upon reaching the organization’s 25th anniversary. While he bids farewell to his position as CEO, he will transition to a new role as Executive Vice Chairman, maintaining his involvement on the board of RtD group and San Diego FC.
Vernon expressed his commitment to supporting Right to Dream’s clubs and academies in Egypt and San Diego in a non-operational capacity, as well as serving as Chairman of FC Nordsjaelland. However, he emphasized the importance of achieving a better balance between work and family life, with a focus on spending more time in Ghana, his first love.
Reflecting on Right to Dream’s growth over the past 25 years, Vernon highlighted the organization’s evolution from a single team to a global community with four academies and professional clubs across Denmark, Egypt, and America. He expressed pride in the achievements of Right to Dream’s members, including staff, players, and students, many of whom have gone on to excel in various fields around the world.
Vernon also announced Dan Dickinson as his successor, praising him as the ideal candidate to lead Right to Dream into the future. He emphasized his confidence in Dickinson’s ability to further unite the community and drive its growth, citing their longstanding partnership and friendship as a foundation for collaboration in their new roles.
In closing, Vernon expressed deep gratitude to his parents and wife for their unwavering support throughout his journey with Right to Dream. He recognized their pivotal roles in funding and co-creating the organization’s vision, acknowledging the profound impact of their contributions on his own success.
Vernon’s departure marks the end of an era for Right to Dream, but his legacy of empowering talented young individuals from across Africa and beyond will undoubtedly endure as the organization continues to thrive under new leadership.
