SHI International, one of the world’s leading IT solutions providers, named Rutgers University swimmer Brooke Thompson as its newest official brand ambassador. Thompson will help represent the SHI brand while she prepares to compete in the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo this November.

Thompson, a rising junior at Rutgers University, holds the USA Deaf Swimming Record in the 50-meter freestyle (23.53), which she set at the 2025 Big Ten Championships. The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, native also captured the ECAC 200 Medley Relay Championship in March. Born completely deaf, Thompson is an advocate for adaptive technology and workplace inclusion for individuals with disabilities. She received her first cochlear implant at age 1 and her second at 4.

Thompson joins LPGA Tour golfers Jennifer Kupcho, Gurleen Kaur, and Allisen Corpuz, as well as North Carolina Courage and U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper Casey Murphy, on the company’s team of brand ambassadors.

“Brooke embodies the qualities we value most at SHI: dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to helping others succeed,” said Ed McNamara, Senior Director of Communications at SHI. “Her athletic achievements are remarkable, but what truly sets Brooke apart is her willingness to share her story, answer every question and advocate for greater awareness of adaptive technologies that can help level the playing field. We’re thankful that Brooke is joining the SHI brand and look forward to supporting her journey to Tokyo and beyond.”

Thompson discovered her passion for swimming after her parents enrolled her in lessons for safety reasons. While the Thompson family enjoyed Michigan’s abundance of lakes and summertime water sports, swimming can pose a unique set of challenges for beginners with cochlear implants. Concerned that it may be difficult to communicate with Brooke during a potential emergency, her parents encouraged her to become the best possible swimmer in the water.

She has since won 11 medals in two World Deaf Swimming Championships and won five gold medals and three bronze medals in the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil.

“Swimming has given me opportunities I never imagined, from competing at the highest level to connecting with the deaf community worldwide,” Thompson said. “Partnering with SHI feels natural because they understand that success comes from hard work, collaboration and a culture that ensures all people have the tools they need to succeed or the ability to request them. I’m eager to represent SHI while showing that with the right technologies and mindset, barriers can become steppingstones.”

Thompson, who is majoring in business leadership and management, first told her story to SHI customers, partners, and employees at an SHI End User Computing Summit in 2024. Addressing a 300-preson audience responsible for supporting tens of thousands of end-users around the globe, Thompson raised awareness about the importance of ensuring businesses have both the policies and inclusive culture in place to ensure employees have – or feel free to request – whatever adaptive technologies they need. Her advocacy focuses on helping organizations understand that simple accommodations can make profound differences for employees with disabilities.

As a member of the delegation the USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADF) is sending to 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo this November, Thompson will compete against deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes from around the world, where all participants compete without hearing assistance to ensure equal competition conditions.

About SHI

SHI International Corp. is a $15 billion transformational technology solutions provider serving the needs of more than 15,000 corporate, enterprise, public sector and academic customer organizations around the world. It helps companies achieve business goals through the use of technologies ranging from software licensing and end user computing devices to innovative cloud and edge solutions. With over 6,000 employees worldwide, SHI is the largest Minority and Woman Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) in the U.S.

To learn more about SHI, please visit https://www.shi.com/

Press Resources

SHI Corporate Website: https://www.SHI.com

SHI Blog: https://blog.shi.com/

SHI X Handle: @SHI_Intl

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250717380921/en/