Jodi Rizzo helped raise awareness and money for childhood cancer and ALS, especially in honor of Mike’s sister Kim, who passed away from the disease.
Michael Anthony Rizzo is a seasoned baseball executive best known for his long tenure with the Washington Nationals.
During his tenure, he served as general manager and president of baseball operations.
He played a pivotal role in transforming the Nationals from a struggling franchise into World Series champions in 2019.
Recently, on July 6, 2025, Rizzo was fired by the Nationals, along with manager Dave Martinez, amid a disappointing season in which the team had a 37–53 record.
The decision came just days before the MLB Draft, where the Nationals hold the No. 1 overall pick.
Team owner Mark Lerner cited the need for “a fresh approach and new energy” as the reason for the shake-up.
After being fired, Mike Rizzo said:
The sun will come up tomorrow. That’s the job. I had a great run. Navigated that ownership group for almost 20 years.
That last line, “navigated that ownership group,” was seen as a subtle jab at the Lerner family, who own the team.
It hinted at the challenges he faced behind the scenes, even as he led the Nationals to their first World Series title and built a winning culture for nearly a decade.
Mike Rizzo’s Wife, Jodi, Is The Vice President And Co-Founder Of The Rizzo Family Foundation!
Mike Rizzo’s wife is Jodi Rizzo, formerly known as Sheilah Marie Kenny, a native of Peoria, Illinois.
The couple got married on October 22, 1988, and have been together ever since, supporting each other’s endeavors.
Their children include Michael Jr., who is now an entrepreneur living in San Diego. Likewise, in 2023, they had another son named Sonny, bringing new joy to their lives.
On the contrary, the couple has gone through many ups and downs, including the loss of their daughter Mary Kathleen during infancy.
Professionally, Jodi is a talented and passionate leader with nearly 20 years of experience in public relations across sports, entertainment, business, and charity work.
She’s the Vice President and Co-Founder of The Rizzo Family Foundation and initiated a project called Riz Kids.
Additionally, she has worked with prominent organizations such as the University of Maryland and Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
Likewise, Jodi volunteers as a PR consultant for the Washington School for Girls, a special school that offers free education to girls in grades 3 to 8.
In 2021, she and her husband, Mike, hosted a fundraiser called “Chrizzmas in July,” donating 60 backpacks and numerous school supplies to the school.
Jodi grew up in Fremont, Ohio, with her parents, Joe and Jill, and her sister Jessica.
She was a star athlete in high school and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Likewise, she played volleyball for Marshall University while earning two degrees: one in Broadcast Journalism and another in Athletics Administration.
Moreover, Jody has consistently supported Mike, both at home and in public endeavors.
She was also a strong support for Mike when he lost his sister, Kim, to ALS in 2020.
Even after Mike was recently let go from the Nationals, Jodi remained active in their foundation, showing her steady support and shared vision to help others.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mike, born on December 14, 1960, grew up as one of four children of Phil and Bernadine Rizzo.
- He attended Holy Cross High School in River Grove, IL, where he played baseball, football, and basketball.
- He graduated from Triton College and later from Saint Xavier University, playing college baseball for both schools.
