NASCAR Foundation Adds Board Members

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The NASCAR Foundation announced it will add four new members to its Board of Directors, consisting of executives at both NASCAR and Commerce Bank & Trust.

The latest additions to The NASCAR Foundation Board include Chelsea Saunders, Senior Director, International Business Operations & Strategy at NASCAR, Chris Glenn, Vice President, Finance at NASCAR, Michelle Byron, Executive Vice President and Chief Partnership and Licensing Officer at NASCAR, and Eric Ravndal, President and CEO at Commerce Bank & Trust.

“It’s always such an honor to add to our network of board members at The NASCAR Foundation and welcoming folks from impressive organizations such as Commerce Bank & Trust, as well as our own NASCAR family, makes this group all the more special,” said Mike Helton, Chairman, The NASCAR Foundation. “Chelsea, Chris, Michelle and Eric are all incredible individuals, and I know they’ll be great additions to the Foundation and its efforts.”

Chelsea Saunders is a dynamic leader in the sports industry, currently serving as the Senior Director of International Business Operations & Strategy at NASCAR. With over 12 years of motorsports experience, she has played a pivotal role in expanding NASCAR’s global footprint by driving strategic initiatives that strengthen the brand’s presence in key international markets.

Previously, Chelsea held multiple leadership positions at NASCAR, including Senior Director of Track Marketing – West Region, where she spearheaded marketing strategies for marquee venues such as Auto Club Speedway and Phoenix Raceway, home to the NASCAR Championship.

Chris Glenn is currently the Vice President, Finance for NASCAR, overseeing the tax and finance functions of the company. He also serves on the United Way Investment Committee and NASCAR 401k Committee.

Prior to joining NASCAR, he worked in audit and consulting services for an international accounting firm, acting as an advisor on IPOs, mergers and acquisitions and other special projects. He graduated with a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Central Florida and has achieved the professional designations of CPA, CMA and CTP. He and his wife support multiple charities in the Central Florida area that aid homeless families in the area.

Michelle Byron began her career at NASCAR more than 20 years ago as one of the only women in a predominately male driven motorsports and automotive aftermarket industry, and is now Executive Vice President, Chief Partnership & Licensing Officer for the organization. During her time at NASCAR, Byron has developed a reputation for driving results, earning the respect and admiration of peers and co-workers, while helping open the door to many other women interested in working in motorsports. Michelle was honored as a 2020 Game Changer by Sports Business Journal in recognition of her leadership and was also a 2021 Charlotte Business Journal Women in Business Achievement honoree.

Michelle’s work at NASCAR can only be overmatched by her incredible dedication to her family, raising two children with her husband in North Carolina. Michelle continues to give back to her local community, supporting initiatives that impact under-privileged children, the environment, and faith. In addition to her work with The NASCAR Foundation, Byron is also an inaugural member of the North Carolina chapter of Women in Sports and Entertainment (WISE) and is currently a PTO Executive Board Member for Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School.

Eric Ravndal has been at Commerce Bank & Trust in Winter Park, Fla. since August 2009. In July 2022, Eric was named the bank’s President and in Aug. 2024, became its CEO. He began his banking career in 2002 with SunTrust Bank. In 2016, Eric earned a diploma from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

As a father of three and spouse of a pediatric nurse practitioner, Eric has a passion for the wellbeing of children. Beginning in 2011, Eric served in multiple roles as a Board Member of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida. During his two-year term as Board Chairman in 2015-2016, the organization’s third House was opened on the campus of Nemours Children’s Hospital.