THE INSPIRATION

A native of Philadelphia, and the product of a Catholic education, Sean Padraic Colgan discovered the sport of rowing as an international economics student at the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduation in 1977 he received the Hobson Award, given to the varsity athlete with the highest academic average. Some of the highlights of Colgan’s illustrious 20-year rowing career include: Silver Medal and Bronze Medal in the World Championships in LightWeight 8 (1975, 1976); a Gold Medal in the Pan American Games in Eight (1979); Silver Medal as a member of the US Olympic Team Eight at the World Cup Championships (1980); National Champion Single Sculls (1982); Team Captain, Bronze Medal Pan American Games Single Sculls (1983); Bronze Medal World Cup Championships Quadruple Scull (1984); Coach, Gold Medal Eight at Pan American Games (2011); and Technical Director, El Salvador Rowing at the London Olympics (2012). Today Colgan resides in Delray Beach, Florida, and New Zealand, and serves as the Chairman, Owner, and Founder of International Materials (Bryn Mawr, PA, and Delray Beach, FL), a minerals trading company. He is also Chairman, Co-Founder, and Majority Owner of Synthetic Materials, the largest processor of synthetic gypsum in the United States, with 14 plants throughout the East and Midwest. Colgan continues his commitment to the sport of rowing as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Rowing Foundation since 1992; and as the president of Power Ten, the annual rowing dinner, held in New York City. The father of five children, Colgan is joined on the board of the Colgan Foundation by his daughter, Eimíle Colgan Gustafson, and his wife, surgeon and conservation expert Dr. Bibi Colgan.

Want to learn more about Colgan Foundation and its partners? We’re pleased to share these recent press mentions of our efforts across the United States and the world.

Dr. Bibi Colgan

A native of Barcelona, Dr. Bibi Colgan was trained and served as a general surgeon in the UK. Prior to her medical training, she received a degree in pianoforte and music studies from the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu of Barcelona. After moving to the United States in 2000, Bibi devoted herself to environmental causes, in particular to ocean conservation.

As Managing Director of the Colgan Foundation, Bibi was instrumental in partnering with the shark migration study at Florida Atlantic University and the Henley Women’s Regatta. As a mother, she is passionate about creating pathways to education for every child. Bibi is an avid sportswoman: she competed in swimming and motorcycle racing and has skiied, kiteboarded, cycled, and paddleboarded over the years. She is currently engaged in competitive rowing.

Eimíle Colgan Gustafson

Eimíle oversees and communicates with Colgan Foundation’s current partners and initiatives. She manages the press relations and social media, and screens potential new grantees. She takes pride in creating meaningful and sustainable relationships with CF’s partners.

Eimíle grew up in Philadelphia, then moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to pursue competitive alpine ski racing throughout high school and college. She graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Roles in managing retail operations and real estate transactions provided experience in creating effective organizational operations and conscious project management.

A lover of the outdoors and a resident of the Lake Tahoe area for several years, Eimile and her family recently moved to Boise, Idaho.

Kate hensler fogarty

Kate Hensler Fogarty has been a consultant to the Colgan Foundation for nearly a decade. A writer, editor, and marketing consultant, she guides the foundation’s branding, website and printed materials, procedures, and external communications. Fogarty was an editor at several magazines in the fields of art and design in New York, and is the author and ghostwriter of numerous books and publications. She lives in Delray Beach, Florida.