Matthew Boling, Track & Field
Matthew Boling is one of the most exciting young athletes across the country with exceptional speed. The Houston native recently turned pro after an accomplished career at the University of Georgia where he succeeded on and off of the track. Boling won multiple championships and was named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the year two times in three years. Boling has been a sensation since high school where he ran the fastest all-conditions 100m dash at 9.98 seconds. Boling earned his degree majoring in marketing prior to focusing on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games where he will aim to medal for Team USA. Boling’s impressive skills in the 100m, 200m and long jump, while also staying grounded in school and in the community make him a tremendous example for young athletes to follow after.
Vania King, Tennis
Vania is a former professional tennis player, reaching career high rankings of #3 in doubles and #50 in singles. A two time Grand Slam champion, Vania won the 2010 Wimbledon and US Open Women’s Doubles Championships. She serves as the Executive Director of Serving Up Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides tennis programs for underserved children around the world, consultant for the Women’s Tennis Association and Women’s Tennis Benefit Association, and Director at Large of the USTA. She is also the co-founder of the Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association (AAPITA) with the mission to develop, grow, and elevate the visibility and interests of the Asian American and Pacific Islander tennis community. Vania received an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a masters degree in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University. In her free time, Vania enjoys birdwatching and singing.
Elliot Markuson, Bobsled/Skeleton
Elliot Markuson, is a Mississippi native, with a long athletic journey as a former SEC football player at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and a current Team USA Bobsled Athlete. Having ventured overseas, he immersed himself in diverse roles as an educator and football coach while living in China. Embracing his role as a Sports Diplomat, Elliot believes in the unifying power of Sports Diplomacy to forge global relationships. Beyond his time training and thrilling descents on icy tracks, he spends his time exploring the world and enjoying diverse cultures as an intrepid traveller and life long learner.
Megan Montefusco, Soccer
Megan Oyster Montefusco competes professionally for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL. After breaking into the league with the Washington Spirits, the Illinois native battled injuries, but she did not let them stop her. Oyster Montefusco has also appeared in a few games for the United States national team and the defender continues to inspire young soccer players on and off the field.
Emily Renna, Bobsled/Skeleton
Emily Renna is a western New York native, with a long athletic career including competing in track and field at the University of Rhode Island and is now a current Bobsledder for Team USA. Emily also works full time in the biotech industry for a company that focuses on gene therapy for rare diseases. She’s always loved science and pursued an undergrad and graduate degree in Exercise Science and joined the biotech world after graduating in 2017. Beyond her time working and competing all over the world, Emily also enjoys travelling to places where there aren’t bobsled tracks and experiencing new cultures and adventures.
Dalton Risner, Football
Dalton Risner is a Colorado native and current offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings. After playing collegiately at Kansas State University, Risner went on to play for his home state’s team, the Denver Broncos. While Risner has had a successful NFL career, his work with Special Olympics, Camp Hope and other works around the community demonstrate his passion for helping others. Risner received the Denver Broncos nomination for the 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year award and continues to do great work throughout his community through his “RisnerUP” foundation with its mission to spread positivity through love and kindness for all.
Carolyn Swords, Basketball
After a long, productive career spanning 9 years across four teams in the WNBA and multiple international stops, Carolyn Swords called it a career in 2021. The Sudbury, Massachusetts native played out her college days at nearby Boston College where she is the school’s all-time leading scorer and has her number hanging in the rafters. Throughout her career, Swords worked on the WNBA’s Players Association Executive Committee as well as advocated to increase voter turnout with the “Rock the Vote” campaign. Swords remains involved as a Product Line Manager for Nike and is active in her community – something she prioritized during her career and continues today. In 2016, Swords was honored with the WNBA Cares Community Assist award.
Jenny Sichel, Rowing
Jenny Sichel is a Team USA Paralympic coxswain, coach, and unwavering advocate for disability rights and mental health awareness. With the personal motto to “always view the gold lining,” Jenny brings optimism, resilience, and purpose to everything she does.
Jenny is a four-time World Rowing Championship silver medalist and a silver medalist Paralympic Games. She went on to coach for the U.S. Paralympic Rowing Team at the 2021 Paralympics, continuing her legacy of leadership both on and off the water.
Beyond rowing, Jenny is a experienced public speaker, an improv team member, and disability inclusion consultant. She’s passionate about destigmatizing mental health and expanding access to sport and community for people of all abilities.
Alice Merryweather, Skiing
Alice Merryweather is a 2018 Winter Olympian and former alpine skier with the U.S. Ski Team, known not only for her speed on the slopes but for her courage in sharing her journey beyond the podium. As a World Junior Downhill Champion and top competitor on the World Cup circuit, Alice represented Team USA with pride and tenacity throughout her athletic career.
After stepping away from professional sport, Alice has become a powerful voice in the mental health space, using her platform to destigmatize mental illness and advocate for athlete well-being. Through honest storytelling, public speaking, and community engagement, she brings visibility to the often-unseen challenges elite athletes face, and reminds others they are not alone.
Ingrid Neel, Tennis
Ingrid Neel, a Rochester, MN native, is a current professional tennis player. A former University of Florida Gator and proud member of an NCAA national championship team, Neel has achieved a career-high doubles ranking of No. 33 and holds four WTA Tour titles. She represents Estonia on the international stage and has competed in two Billie Jean King Cups. Passionate about teamwork and giving back, she brings a competitive spirit and global perspective to everything she does—on and off the court.
Kori Carter, Track & Field
Kori Carter is a world-class track and field athlete, best known for her gold-medal performance in the 400m hurdles at the World Championships. After a successful professional career representing Team USA on the global stage, Kori transitioned into entrepreneurship and mentorship. She is the founder of Coached, a platform that connects athletes with expert feedback through video analysis, and currently serves on the coaching staff at the University of Texas, helping guide the next generation of talent.
Kori is deeply passionate about athlete empowerment, mental health, and creating equitable access to sport. Through her work, she continues to inspire others to believe in their potential.
Isaac Jean-Paul, Track & Field
Isaac Jean-Paul is an elite Paralympic track and field athlete who has made a remarkable impact in the T13 classification for athletes with visual impairments. Diagnosed with juvenile retinoschisis, Isaac has overcome significant challenges to become a multi-time Paralympic medalist and a world record holder in the high jump.
Beyond his athletic career, Isaac is deeply committed to disability advocacy and inclusion. He holds degrees in social science and liberal arts, and currently serves as the Creative Director of Marketing and Paralympic Coach at San Diego State University Adaptive Sports. Through these roles, he mentors the next generation of adaptive athletes and promotes greater awareness and access in sports.