Our Team
Rob Canton
President & CEO
Serving on the board of JDRF Tampa Bay, and co-chair of its two most successful annual fundraising galas, Rob first developed Athletes+Causes as a way to further bring attention to and raise money towards finding a cure for Juvenile Diabetes. He enlisted the support of others in the sports industry affected by Type 1 Diabetes, including Tampa Bay Lightning Forward BJ Crombeen, Rays Outfielder Sam Fuld, and Buccaneers Tight End Tom Crabtree and in January 2014 hosted the first Athletes+Causes event in the Chase Club of Amalie Arena. Sponsors and individuals took advantage of the opportunity to mix and mingle not only with the three professional sports hosts, but with the dozens of fellow Lightning, Rays, and Bucs players that showed up to support their teammates.
Having spent 25-years conducting strategic and economic analyses within the sports industry, Rob has worked with hundreds of teams, destinations, and developers representing a multitude of initiatives including development, transactions, performance improvement, project feasibility, and strategic planning.
Rob previously served as Executive Vice President of Finance and Strategic Planning for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Prior to his work for the Lightning, he consulted on projects across the country involving the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Denver Broncos, Miami Heat, San Diego Padres, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Nationals, and dozens of other professional sports teams. He has also consulted on sports projects for Louisiana State University, the University of Oklahoma, Duke University, University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, Texas Tech, The Ohio State University, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Louisville.
Christopher Marasco
Development Director
Chris is an experienced individual with a background in business development, sales strategy, and team leadership. With several years of experience across various roles, he has worked with organizations to expand pipelines, develop effective strategies, and support revenue growth.
Prior to joining the A+C Foundation, Chris spent six years at Benevity, helping companies enhance their charitable giving programs. Throughout his career, he has managed and mentored teams, helped implement prospecting tactics, and aligned sales initiatives with broader business objectives.
Chris graduated from Fordham University in 2014 with a degree in Journalism and spent several years working in collegiate and professional sports, including serving as the radio broadcaster for Fordham’s athletic programs, as well as broadcasting minor league baseball and interning with the Tampa Bay Rays. His background in sports made him a natural fit for joining A+C.
Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Alex, traveling and exploring national parks, spending time with their senior dog, Lola, and attending any sporting event.
Avery Welz
Client Relationship Manager
A Belleair, Florida native, Avery joined the A+C Team in 2023. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Florida State University, where she developed a strong passion for nonprofit fundraising through her involvement in her sorority’s initiatives supporting breast cancer education and awareness.
At Athletes and Causes, Avery plays a key role in fundraising, donor engagement, and social media. With a strong commitment to making a difference, Avery thrives on building meaningful relationships and implementing innovative strategies that support the mission of Athletes and Causes.