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New Managing Director For Carroll Shelby Foundation
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Rafella Golden has been promoted to Managing Director of the Carroll Shelby Foundation by the charity’s Board of Directors. In this new position, Golden will manage the daily operations of the non-profit founded by legend Carroll Shelby.
Golden has been part of the Shelby community since 2009 when she first began to work for Carroll Shelby International. Previously she worked in public school fundraising, event coordination and retail design for a variety of organizations.
Since joining Shelby, Golden has been involved in many different roles for Shelby American, Team Shelby, Carroll Shelby’s Store, Carroll Shelby International and the Carroll Shelby Foundation. She has managed graphic design projects, coordinated events, been a merchandise buyer, contributed to strategic planning and directed retail locations. But it was a personal connection with Carroll Shelby himself that eventually led to her involvement with the charity.
“Not long after I joined Shelby, my teenage son was diagnosed with brain cancer,” Golden said. “I’ll never forget how supportive Carroll was during that challenging time for my family. He also gave me the opportunity to be involved with the children’s charity as a way to help other kids in honor of my son’s full recovery. Over the years, my role has evolved and led me to this opportunity to make a difference for families through the Carroll Shelby Foundation.”
Golden will fill a dual role as both Managing Director of the charity and will still remain part of the Team Shelby management team. This unique position will allow her to maximize opportunities for the charity to integrate into Shelby American and the international club’s events.
“We’ve been impressed with Rafella’s tenacity and drive during her tenure with Shelby,” Carroll Shelby Foundation Co-President Aaron Shelby said. "She has channeled her talents into executing programs for organizations that we support including the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, The Eli Home, Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston and the Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Program in East Texas. We’re confident that Rafella will do a terrific job as Managing Director of the Carroll Shelby Foundation.”
Following years of heart-related difficulties that culminated in a successful heart transplant, legendary racer and automaker Carroll Shelby created the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation in 1991. Shelby, who waited years before receiving his transplant, was keenly aware of the difficulties and expense involved in heart surgery and the often-lengthy process to locate a suitable donor organ. He created the Foundation because he realized that many needy children would have their lives cut short without some type of financial assistance.
As a 501 (c) 3, funding for the Foundation comes from a myriad of sources including donations from corporate and private sponsors, Ford Motor Company and through club events.
Recent donation recipients from the Carroll Shelby Foundation include Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, The Eli Home, Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, The Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology at the Northeast Texas Community College, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) and the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.
For more information, visit shelby.com.
Golden has been part of the Shelby community since 2009 when she first began to work for Carroll Shelby International. Previously she worked in public school fundraising, event coordination and retail design for a variety of organizations.
Since joining Shelby, Golden has been involved in many different roles for Shelby American, Team Shelby, Carroll Shelby’s Store, Carroll Shelby International and the Carroll Shelby Foundation. She has managed graphic design projects, coordinated events, been a merchandise buyer, contributed to strategic planning and directed retail locations. But it was a personal connection with Carroll Shelby himself that eventually led to her involvement with the charity.
“Not long after I joined Shelby, my teenage son was diagnosed with brain cancer,” Golden said. “I’ll never forget how supportive Carroll was during that challenging time for my family. He also gave me the opportunity to be involved with the children’s charity as a way to help other kids in honor of my son’s full recovery. Over the years, my role has evolved and led me to this opportunity to make a difference for families through the Carroll Shelby Foundation.”
Golden will fill a dual role as both Managing Director of the charity and will still remain part of the Team Shelby management team. This unique position will allow her to maximize opportunities for the charity to integrate into Shelby American and the international club’s events.
“We’ve been impressed with Rafella’s tenacity and drive during her tenure with Shelby,” Carroll Shelby Foundation Co-President Aaron Shelby said. "She has channeled her talents into executing programs for organizations that we support including the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, The Eli Home, Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston and the Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Program in East Texas. We’re confident that Rafella will do a terrific job as Managing Director of the Carroll Shelby Foundation.”
Following years of heart-related difficulties that culminated in a successful heart transplant, legendary racer and automaker Carroll Shelby created the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation in 1991. Shelby, who waited years before receiving his transplant, was keenly aware of the difficulties and expense involved in heart surgery and the often-lengthy process to locate a suitable donor organ. He created the Foundation because he realized that many needy children would have their lives cut short without some type of financial assistance.
As a 501 (c) 3, funding for the Foundation comes from a myriad of sources including donations from corporate and private sponsors, Ford Motor Company and through club events.
Recent donation recipients from the Carroll Shelby Foundation include Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, The Eli Home, Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, The Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology at the Northeast Texas Community College, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) and the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.
For more information, visit shelby.com.
