Kalen Jackson
Kalen Jackson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kalen Irsay July 6, 1987[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Indiana University Bloomington (BA) |
| Occupation(s) | Businesswoman and sports franchise owner |
| Known for | Co-owner and chief brand officer of the Indianapolis Colts |
| Spouse | Boyd Jackson |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
|
Kalen Jackson (née Irsay; born July 6, 1987)[1] is an American businesswoman and football executive who is the co-owner and chief brand officer of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL) and the president of the Indianapolis Colts Foundation. She is the granddaughter of Robert Irsay, the daughter of Jim Irsay, and the sister of fellow Colts co-owners Carlie Irsay-Gordon and Casey Foyt.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]The youngest of Jim Irsay's three daughters, Jackson graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in sports management and marketing. After graduating, she began working for the Indianapolis Colts.[3]
Career
[edit]Jackson joined the Colts as a vice chair and co-owner in 2010. She coordinates the Colts' and the Irsay family's philanthropic initiatives. Most prominently, she leads Kicking the Stigma, a mental health awareness campaign.[4] In 2025, the Colts won the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year at the ESPY Awards for the team's work with Kicking the Stigma.[5] Jackson facilitated the creation of the Irsay Institute at Indiana University Bloomington, a center that researches mental health and the stigma surrounding it.[2] She has represented the Colts at NFL owners' meetings[6] and is a chair of the NFL's employee benefits committee.[3] With the Colts, she has also worked with the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) to raise the profile of girls' flag football in Indiana and sanction it as an official sport for Indiana high schools.[7] She is a board member of United Way of Central Indiana and was named a 2024 Woman of Influence by the Indianapolis Business Journal.[8]
Jackson's ownership role with the Colts became more prominent after the death of her father and principal Colts owner, Jim Irsay, in May 2025.[2][9] On June 9, 2025, the Colts announced that Jackson would assume the titles of owner and chief brand officer as well as president of the Indianapolis Colts Foundation.[10][11]
Personal life
[edit]Jackson and her husband, Boyd, live in Indianapolis with their two daughters.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Post on turning 38". X (formerly Twitter). July 6, 2025. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Colts 'in excellent hands' with Irsay's daughters, experts say". Daily Journal. May 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Maaddi, Rob (September 18, 2024). "Kalen Jackson grew up in football, developed a passion for using the game to help others". WRTV. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ Loggins, Brittany (December 7, 2021). "Colts owner Kalen Jackson is changing the way we think about mental health in sports". MSNBC. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ Potter, Mike (July 16, 2025). "Indianapolis Colts win ESPY for 'Kicking the Stigma' program". WTHR. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Horner, Scott (March 26, 2024). "Kalen Irsay Jackson offers a health update on her father, Colts owner Jim Irsay". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ "IHSAA approves Girls Flag Football as emerging sport, Colts play key role in growth". WBIW. May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ Allan, Marc D. (October 31, 2024). "2024 Women of Influence: Kalen Jackson". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ Holder, Stephen (May 22, 2025). "Why Jim Irsay's daughters are prepared for Colts ownership". ESPN. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ Fowler, Ashley (June 9, 2025). "Ownership of Indianapolis Colts passes to Jim Irsay's daughters". WISH-TV. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ^ Stankevitz, JJ (June 10, 2025). "Colts Owners Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson discuss ownership transition, vision for franchise, legacy of late Owner & CEO Jim Irsay". Colts.com. Retrieved June 11, 2025.