WHO WE ARE
Our seven organizations have partnered together to bring these conversations to the sport industry. We've made a commitment to provide conversation and resources to inspire action to make our own industry more equitable.
OUR FOUNDING MEMBERS
Danielle Berman
CEO & Founder at Tackle What's Next
Tackle What's Next is the leading resource for athletes around career transition. We raise awareness, share resources and build community around what’s next in life after sports. Through our platform of events and content, we aim to raise awareness through storytelling about both the challenges and the many opportunities available to every single athlete in his or her next chapter.
Here at TWN we believe in the importance of opportunity and resources. For far too long the resources and opportunities in the sports industry have gone to the same people. We are encouraged to serve on a coalition alongside organizations in sports that believe it's past time to ensure that these opportunities are diversified. We believe in the power of storytelling, and we are excited to support these important conversations around working towards equity in the industry.
Alycia Powell
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Office at Champions for Philanthropy
Over the past decade, Alycia Powell has built a wealth of practical expertise as a business and legal consultant, and social entrepreneur in the fields of sports and entertainment and nonprofit management. In 2017, Alycia co-founded Champions for Philanthropy, Inc. (CFP), a consulting agency that assists professional athletes, entertainers and influencers develop their charitable brands.
As Co-Founder and CEO, Alycia helps athletes establish their nonprofit foundations, manage existing foundations, design charitable initiatives and programs as well as create other charitable vehicles for giving back. CFP works with both current and former/retired athletes from professional sports leagues such as the NBA and NFL. CFP also maintains a blog, The Sport of Philanthropy, that shines a light on the positive work being done by athletes, teams and leagues. Over the last two years, CFP has hosted numerous events, including their Most Valuable Philanthropist awards that honors the philanthropic work of current and former professional athletes. Alycia built significant expertise in business, law, and sports and entertainment during her time at New York Law School where she held myriad leadership positions, including Vice-Chair of the National Black Law Students Association, Northeast Region. As Vice-Chair, she oversaw the execution of all events, programs, and initiatives of the multi-state, 300-plus member organization. She also founded the New York Law School Sports Law Symposium, serving as President and Chair. Now in its tenth year, the Symposium attracts top sports law speakers from across the country.
The coalition is important to Alycia and Michelle because their company is built on diversity. As a Black-owned, women-owned organization, they pride themselves on breaking barriers in the sports industry, and are excited to be part of a coalition that sees the value in doing so. They are both excited to help lead this valuable dialogue.
Michelle Mays
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer at Champions for Philanthropy
Michelle C. Mays has a passion for business and the community that extends from her professional affiliations to her volunteer work.
As the co-founder and chief operating officer of Champions for Philanthropy, Michelle successfully manages the charitable efforts of professional athletes by helping them build, launch, manage and promote their philanthropic interests. Like the athletes she works with, Michelle is passionate about giving to the community. She volunteers in various capacities at her church, is president of the New England Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College, participates in city government, and is a former commissioner for her local fire department. Michelle has over a decade of experience in nonprofit marketing and communications, and previously held positions at Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and Georgia Power Company.
The coalition is important to Alycia and Michelle because their company is built on diversity. As a Black-owned, women-owned organization, they pride themselves on breaking barriers in the sports industry, and are excited to be part of a coalition that sees the value in doing so. They are both excited to help lead this valuable dialogue.
Ebony McCue
Chief Legal Officer at OMBI Group
Ebony E. McCue serves as Chief Legal Officer of OMBI Group, LLC. Prior to this role, she served as General Counsel for MR Financial, LLC and Counsel of Business and Legal Affairs for Sports and Entertainment Financial Group – Sports Division. McCue currently sits on the advisory boards of the Entertainment & Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia and Winning Edge Leadership Academy; and is a Diversity and Inclusion Committee appointee with the Sports Lawyers Association. She received her bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from the University of Tennessee, Juris Doctor from Texas Southern University, and Sports Industry Essentials Program Certificate from Columbia University. McCue is admitted to practice law in New York, Washington, D.C., and Georgia.
Nadia Bosket
Founder at Pivvet
I am the Founder of Pivvet, a sports marketing and brand development agency. Our services create opportunities based on our clients interests and opportunities that will help them 'pivvet' to the next position in the career. The coalition is important to me because it brings awareness to the fact that there are still certain areas of sports that lack diversity and inclusion. The coalition serves as an additional platform for storytelling for everyone from athletes to their management team to the front office.
Katie Cheesbrough
Managing Partner, Revenue Generation & Strategic Partnerships at Relate Social Capital
Katie brings over 10 years of experience in marketing and philanthropy, working with some of Canada's top companies, charities and brands. She encompasses expertise in client and brand management, sponsorship, fundraising and sales. Katie is dedicated to building strong relationships and partnerships to advance the landscape of sport philanthropy and create meaningful impact.
Samantha Rogers
Co-Founder & Chief Strategist at Relate Social Capital
Samantha is a social capitalist and sport philanthropy is her vehicle of choice. With a career that has brought her to various cities and industries, Samantha worked in the social services, health, education, and sport sectors, all of which led her to co-found Relate Social Capital, and ultimately pursue her passion for using sport to drive social change.
Eric Shainock
Co-Founder at Philanthropy Playmakers
I am a passionate brand builder, and have spent my career at different intersections of marketing: brand, sponsorship and social impact. I am a Co-Founder of Philanthropy Playmakers Consulting, a multimedia platform aimed at providing resources for the sports philanthropy industry and those who see sports as a change agent.
Our mission is to build a community around sports philanthropy by providing educational resources that demonstrate sports as a tool for social impact. I advise athletes (NBA, WNBA, NFL) and sport non-profits around the world through workshops, executive coaching and strategic consulting to amplify social impact. We are motivated to disrupt the sports industry by providing content focused on how sports is a vehicle for positive social impact.
