Colorado Rapids Announce Justyne Freud as SVP of Marketing & Brand Strategy, Elizabeth DeFeo as VP of Partnerships

Published on May 7, 2026 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids announced today the appointment of Justyne Freud as the club’s first-ever Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy and Elizabeth DeFeo as Vice President of Partnerships. These key additions to the front office support a major organizational push toward a revitalized commercial vision and long-term strategic growth as the club continues to move towards a new era.

“Bringing in leaders of Justyne and Elizabeth’s caliber is a definitive statement about where this club is headed,” said Colorado Rapids Chief Business Officer Haley Durmer. “Justyne’s ability to build culturally resonant brands, paired with Elizabeth’s sophisticated, data-driven approach to global partnerships, is exactly what we need to break through in our market. They are world-class operators who will elevate our commercial platform while deepening the connection between our brand and the communities we serve.”

A seasoned executive with over a decade of experience supporting major U.S. sports properties, Freud will lead the club’s marketing and brand strategy with a focus on positioning the club as a premier sports and entertainment leader. In her role, she will oversee the Rapids’ brand identity, ensuring cultural relevance and brand continuity while driving fan growth and commercial opportunities.

DeFeo joins the Rapids with 15 years of experience guiding brands through complex sports investments across the NFL, MLB, NHL, Formula 1, and major global competitions including FIFA and the Olympics. As Vice President of Partnerships, she will lead sponsorship strategy and brand activation, focusing on building scalable operating models and programs that drive measurable value for partners, fans and the club.

“These leadership appointments signal a major acceleration of our long-term strategic vision and highlight the commitment and support we have from Stan and Josh Kroenke as well as Kevin Demoff,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “They are also an important step in supporting the evolution of our commercial operations under Haley’s leadership. The addition of Justyne and Elizabeth further strengthens our team as we position the club for sustained growth and create a more integrated, high-performing front office, one that can expand our reach, elevate our brand, and deliver a more compelling experience for our fans.”

Freud joins the…