Gabby Thomas is chasing purpose not a check.

The Harvard University alum and track runner, who boasts several gold medals at the Olympic level, has remained grounded throughout all her success over the years. This she attributes to her upbringing in a single-parent household. Thomas views her mother, Jennifer Randall, as a “superhero” and credits her for the work ethic that she carries today on and off the field. According to information shared on the Olympics page, Randall moved her family to Massachusetts from Georgia with few financial resources so she could obtain a Ph.D. while teaching. Today, she is a professor at the

“She showed me what leading with work ethic and compassion looks like on a daily basis,” Thomas told AFROTECH™ in an email interview. “Furthermore, she led with a focus on education and giving back. She taught me that leaving a place better than you found it is not only the nice thing to do, but the right thing to do. She showed me that being great can be done in many ways — through discipline, kindness, and passion. This mindset carried me through every chapter of my life- from Harvard, to training for the Olympics, and now becoming a businesswoman.”

Thomas attended Harvard University as student-athlete. She broke several school records and stamped on Ivy League titles. 2018 proved to be a pivotal year. She won the NCAA 200m Indoor title — setting a historic collegiate record (22.38) — officially turned pro, and secured a multi-year endorsement deal with New Balance. This transition led Thomas to take ownership of her career as a CEO and investor of her own brand. Today, she’s backed by a full team, including an agent, accountant, financial advisor, and legal and PR support. With New Balance also in her corner, she has the resources to elevate her impact both on and off the track.

“My New Balance partnership was my first sponsor, and it was a total game-changer,” she expressed. “When I was in college, NIL (name, image, and likeness) didn’t exist yet, so my relationship with New Balance was my first time having a sponsor. Signing with them wasn’t just about a paycheck either, it was about aligning with a brand that truly believed in me from day one and a brand that could be a long-term partner.”

Thomas continued, “New Balance saw me as more than an athlete; they invested in my higher education, they leaned into my interests outside of sport, and gave me opportunities to be vocal about causes that I cared about — all while providing me with the resources I needed to train at the elite level. So New Balance not only helped me make it to the Olympics, but they also helped set me up for a successful career beyond track.”

As it pertains to Thomas’ future goals, she wants to be of assistance to communities and is laser-focused on their mental and physical wellbeing, she says. Already she has worked at a healthcare clinic in Austin, TX, helping the uninsured population, and has earned a master’s degree in public health from

Partnering With Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day

More recently, she teamed up with Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day for its Lots of Compassion initiative. According to a press release, the initiative transforms vacant lots into community gardens. The goal is to establish 50 community gardens by 2027, and as of this writing, 20 have been created within two years.

“When I learned about Mrs. Meyer’s Lots of Compassion initiative, I was immediately inspired by its focus on health, wellbeing, and community. With my background in public health and my work at a volunteer health care clinic in Austin, I’m especially passionate about promoting equity in underserved communities,” Thomas detailed. “Supporting a mission rooted in compassion is a natural fit, and it just makes sense to me — it’s exactly the kind of work I believe in.”

Thomas added, “I genuinely believe that small acts, whether it’s creating a community garden or simply uplifting others, can have a real impact. I’m not alone in this belief. In fact, 90% of Americans express a strong desire to support their communities, but only 1 in 4 get involved. Growing compassion in our communities is a worthy cause that we can all contribute to, and Lots of Compassion makes it easy to take that first step.”