Heisman today announced the appointment of Andre Ware, Heisman Trophy winner, broadcaster, and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and Judy Belk, nationally recognized philanthropic leader and former President & CEO of The California Wellness Foundation, to its Board of Trustees. Both will serve three-year terms.

These appointments strengthen Heisman’s governance capabilities and reflect its top strategic priorities, as the organization continues to grow its platform and scale its philanthropic impact in close partnership with its iconic community of Heisman winners.

Ware, the 1989 Heisman Trophy winner, has built a distinguished career in broadcasting and community engagement. After playing in the NFL and CFL, he became a respected college football analyst for ESPN and since 2002 has served as the radio analyst for the Houston Texans. Ware was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004, underscoring his impact on the sport and his enduring connection to the game. He also delivers significant charitable impact through the Brothers in Arms Foundation, which he co‑founded with fellow Houston quarterbacks Warren Moon and Vince Young to support youth and families across the region.

“Our governance review made clear that adding additional talent and new perspectives would meaningfully strengthen the Board and help advance our mission,” said Marva Smalls, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee. “Andre’s lifelong connection to the game and Judy’s national leadership in philanthropy will help ensure our governance reflects the full breadth of Heisman’s mission — celebrating excellence on the field and empowering future leaders off it. We are thrilled to welcome them.”

Ware’s leadership, perspective, and commitment to the game make him an ideal board member whose insights will help guide Heisman’s mission and year-round impact.

Belk is a nationally recognized philanthropic executive, writer, and leader on social change, civic engagement, and equity. She most recently served nine years as President & CEO of The California Wellness Foundation, one of California’s largest philanthropic institutions, where she oversaw a $1 billion endowment and $65 million in annual grantmaking. During her tenure, she led major initiatives including a mission-related investing strategy, a groundbreaking effort addressing unmet health needs for women of color, and the creation of the Hope and Heal Fund, California’s first donor collaborative focused on gun violence prevention.

“Judy and Andre add so much to Heisman’s Board and will directly aid in our top priorities,” said Dan Reed, Chair of the Board. “As a foundation seeking to scale our efforts to empower young people, we’ll benefit hugely from Judy’s deep and impressive philanthropic and governance experience. The voices of our winners are critical to guide Heisman’s future growth while preserving our legacy, and Andre’s understanding of the game, the award, and our community of winners will help strengthen our collective impact. I want to thank our Board for their dedication and the thoughtful work that made these appointments possible. Their leadership will help guide Heisman’s mission for years to come.”

Together, these appointments position Heisman to preserve what makes the award iconic while continuing to evolve with purpose, integrity, and a deeper commitment to excellence and empowerment.