ROCHESTER, N.Y. - David Gould, a 2011 graduate of the University of Rochester and a men's basketball alumnus was named as the Chief Diversity and Impact Officer for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HSBE) in Philadelphia.
 
HSBE owns the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League, and the Prudential Center, which is the home for the Devils. His appointment was announced by the corporation's managing partners, Josh Harris and David Blitzer.

They unveiled the company's racial equity action plan, including a commitment of $20 million to fight systemic racism and champion equality. In his role, Gould will lead HBSE's internal and external diversity and inclusion standards, programs and initiatives across the organization, which additionally includes multiple esports properties, the top-10 nationally-ranked Prudential Center, HBSE Real Estate, HBSE Ventures, Sixers Innovation Lab and more. 

"I'm proud of the commitment made by our company and Managing Partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer to promote diversity and economic opportunity and publicly recognize the impact that systemic racism continues to have in our society," said Gould. "As a Black man, former college athlete, and native Philadelphian, this work is deeply personal to me and I believe that the sports and entertainment industry has an important role to play in the push for social and racial equality."
 
At Rochester, Gould played from 2007-08 through 2010-11. His head coach for the first three years was Mike Neer. When Neer retired in June, 2010, Gould served on the search committee that selected Luke Flockerzi. He competed in two NCAA Championship Tournaments. Rochester's 2007-08 team started 14-0 and rose to the #1 ranking by D3hoops.com. The Yellowjackets won NCAA home games versus Middlebury College and Penn State-Behrend to advance to the Sweet 16. They were upset by the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in the Sweet 16, played at Ursinus College outside Philadelphia. The final record was 22-6.
 
He appeared in 20 games as a sophomore and 24 games as a junior (he started 21 of the 24 games). As a senior, Gould was named a team captain. He started in every game and averaged a career-best 7.8 points per game. Rochester was 22-6 and reached the Sweet 16 again, this time hosting that event at home in the Louis Alexander Palestra. UR won in round one (defeating Elms College of Massachusetts, 81-70) and in round two (defeating MIT, 60-52). Both of those games were played at Ithaca College. The Yellowjackets lost to Middlebury College in the Sweet 16 game at the Palestra. Rochester won the University Athletic Association championship with a 12-2 mark. Gould was accorded Honorable Mention All-UAA status.

Gould fit well into Rochester's scheme, averaging 26.1 minutes per game (fourth highest). He was fourth in assists with 55, tied for the team lead in blocked shots (22), and tied for third in steals with 31.
 
As Chief Diversity and Impact Officer, Gould will provide executive leadership and guidance while working closely with company leaders, HBSE's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board and the Human Resources department to implement a comprehensive inclusion and diversity strategy across HBSE.
Additionally, Gould will be responsible for spearheading HBSE's action plan and commitment to promote racial equality, including efforts to (1) invest in Black communities, (2) support Black and minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, (3) promote education, health and employment opportunities for Black community members and (4) amplify and build workplaces founded in respect, diversity and inclusion across HBSE properties.

"David Gould is an action-oriented, authentic leader with an outward mindset and the capacity to be an inspiring force for change; it is an honor to appoint him to the first-ever role of HBSE's Chief Diversity and Impact Officer," said HBSE CEO Scott O'Neil.

Prior to joining the 76ers, Gould served as the Deputy Director for Community Engagement and Communications for Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney's Rebuild initiative. Before that, Gould was a program officer at the William Penn Foundation where he was responsible for exploring new areas of focus for the Foundation, specifically related to community development and impact investing.

Gould grew up in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. At Rochester, he received a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science. He also received a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania and has taught graduate classes at the University's Weitzman School of Design.