Anthony DiCosmo

Age: 32, Senior Director, Public Affairs
Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group, New York City

As senior director, public affairs for Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group, Anthony DiCosmo oversees philanthropic and public service initiatives designed to raise awareness of major issues impacting kids and families. He manages partnerships with organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the National Wildlife Federation, as well as the company’s grant program. A former wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he is most proud of his involvement in launching the 2009 TeenNick HALO Awards, which featured celebrity philanthropists such as Alicia Keys and LeBron James and honored four teenagers who had gone above and beyond to improve their communities.

Before joining Nickelodeon, DiCosmo was the development manager for Urban Youth Development Corporation in New Jersey. His athletic background provided the discipline, focus and competitive edge that have allowed him to succeed in the corporate world. “The experience of being a free agent and journeyman in professional sports really tests your character and commitment to something you are so deeply passionate about. You can’t take a single day off and you are challenged to prove your worth daily,” he says.

DiCosmo earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Boston College and master’s degrees in liberal studies and public administration from Rutgers University. He remains involved in athletics as a volunteer pee wee football coach. In both his professional and personal roles, this father of two boys, who was raised in a foster home before being adopted, hopes to continue to seek new ways to inspire positive change in youth. “I’d love to be able to adopt a few kids in the future,” he says.

Fun Facts

First car: VW Cabriolet
Dish you cook best: Pancakes
Favorite sports team: Yankees
Other languages spoken: Italian
Favorite charity: Boys & Girls Club of America
Favorite book/author: The Art of War by Sun Tzu