Jason Belinkie
Chief Executive Officer
Since joining AFH on the first day it opened its doors, Jason has played an integral role in the development and growth of AFH’s programs, partnerships, educational curriculum, fundraising, athlete membership, and community impact. Nearly 17 years later, Jason’s passion for helping others through the power of sport still burns bright, and he feels deeply grateful to live his dream job every day. Through his dynamic leadership, Jason has guided AFH into a position as a global sports philanthropy leader.
Jason coaches cross country and track at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and serves on the boards of Hope for Henry and Suburban Hospital. He is also the author of two children’s books, Little Moments, inspired by his children, and King of the Couch, inspired by his dog. Jason is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education.
Chris Wyttenbach
Chief Program Officer
As the Chief Program Officer at Athletes for Hope (AFH), Chris oversees the creation and implementation of core AFH programs and the network of AFH members. He has proudly facilitated the charitable involvement of hundreds of athletes as they make a substantial social impact in the communities and with the causes that are most important to them.
Prior to Athletes for Hope, Chris had the privilege to learn and serve via his time with several service-based organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the YMCA, and the United States Peace Corps. Originally from Wisconsin, Chris currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife and three children.
Mena Mirhom, MD, FAPA
Chief Wellbeing Officer
Mena is a board-certified psychiatrist with a strong commitment to enhancing the mental health and well-being of athletes while also using sports as a platform for community service.
In addition to his clinical work, Mena is a Columbia-trained psychiatrist and a faculty member at Columbia University, where he educates psychiatrists on effectively communicating mental health information through the media to better inform and educate the public. He also serves as a consultant for the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), providing expert guidance on mental health issues facing professional athletes.
Beyond his work with athletes, Mena is a recognized speaker, author, educator, and on air media contributor.
At Athletes for Hope, Mena is dedicated to advancing wellbeing initiatives that empower athletes at every level through education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships.
Diana Venezia
Director of Development
Diana serves as the critical point person in driving, shaping, and diversifying Athletes for Hope’s fundraising activities for the general organization and its growing initiatives. Diana joined AFH in December 2022 and is committed to helping improve communities and the lives of others through inclusive philanthropy, especially when utilizing the power of sports. Most recently, Diana served as the Vice President of Development at Philadelphia Youth Basketball, a start-up sport-based youth-serving nonprofit.
Originally from New Jersey, Diana graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2014, where she was a member of the Women’s Basketball team. She received her master’s degree in Sport Business from Temple University in 2017.
Kylie Barlowe
Director of Partnerships & Digital Strategy
Kylie (Reeves) Barlowe manages marketing and activation partnerships, oversees digital and social media execution and is responsible for leading strategy across the organization’s digital ecosystem. Kylie joined AFH in February 2021 and brings a deep level of passion and unique experience to the position, having experienced a variety of media and marketing roles in the sports, healthcare and non-profit worlds.
Originally from North Carolina, Kylie was a member of the Women’s Soccer team at Haverford College and graduated with a degree in Economics in 2014.
Connect with Kylie on LinkedIn.
Sara Keane
Assistant Director, AFH University
Sara serves as the Assistant Director of the AFH University program, which educates college athletes about smart philanthropy and connects them to charitable opportunities across various communities. Sara joined AFH U in July 2022 and is passionate about fundraising, event planning, and assisting college athletes find what they are passionate about.
Prior to joining Athletes for Hope, Sara worked in the nonprofit world as a development associate and event coordinator. Sara’s passion for development came from volunteering for local mental health organizations in the Philadelphia community. Originally from New Jersey, Sara was a member of the Women’s Soccer team at West Virginia University from 2009-2013 and graduated with a degree in Sport Management, followed by a masters in Higher Education Administration.
Kenya Warren-Hollins, MPA
Program Manager, AFH University
Kenya works closely with college athletes in her role with the AFH University Program. As Program Manager, Kenya helps LSU & Southern University varsity athletes discover and connect with charitable opportunities in the Baton Rouge community.
Prior to joining Athletes for Hope, Kenya has been committed to public service as she serves as a regional recruitment manager for City Year. Kenya graduated from Southern University and A&M College with a bachelor in biological sciences and a master of public administration. Her passion for service began during her reign as Miss Southern University 2010-2011. She served as Executive Director of Up ‘Til Dawn, a St. Jude Children’s Hospital collegiate fundraising endeavor and a Girl Scouts outreach leader.
Joy Le Couteur
Director of Athlete Engagement
Joy serves as the Director of Athlete Engagement for Athletes for Hope and focuses on developing and enhancing relationships with professional, Olympic, and college athletes, and inspiring them to engage in charitable opportunities. Joy joined AFH in August of 2022 and is passionate about people and utilizing sports to make our communities better.
Prior to joining Athletes for Hope, Joy played Division 1 NCAA Basketball at Arizona State University, earning her Bachelors degree in Business Marketing and Masters degree in Communication. Joy’s professional career consists of six seasons of professional basketball in Europe and Australia. Joy has also represented her national team—Chinese Taipei in the 2015 and 2017 FIBA Asia Championships as well as the 2018 Asian Games. As a Nike athlete, Joy had the opportunity to be the face of a Nike Women Campaign in 2019, empowering women across Asia. Joy’s passion for sports philanthropy spans internationally through volunteering at orphanages in China, conducting life skills workshops for college students in Bhutan, offering educational scholarships for kids in remote and underprivileged areas in the Philippines, and creating mentorship programs for youth at risk in Australia.
Kendra (Chambers) Coleman
CHAMPS Program Manager
Kendra (Chambers) Coleman is the CHAMPS Program Manager at Athletes for Hope. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she was an 8x All-American and a 4x Big 12 Champion. After college, Kendra pursued a professional track career as a 400 and 800-meter athlete. She qualified for the U.S. National Championships almost every year from 2015-2024 and was a semi-finalist in the 800 meters at both the 2016 and the 2024 U.S. Olympics Trials. She was a part of Team USA in the 2016 World Indoor Championships and the 2017 World Relays as well as several Penn Relays (USA vs. The World). Kendra sits as an officer on the USATF Athletes Commission as the Director of Athlete Services and she is the Assistant Track and Field Coach at the University of St. Thomas.
Marta Ribeiro
Graphic Design Consultant
Marta is a freelance graphic/web designer with over 20 years of experience. Passionate in her work, she creates well organized, beautiful visuals that communicate clearly and effectively. She has been involved with Athletes for Hope since its founding in 2007, having designed their logo, and has since continued her involvement through a variety of design projects.
Marta enjoys long distance running in her spare time & firmly believes in the power of sport to unite and inspire. She graduated from the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design (B.F.A. in Graphic Design).
YY Yiljep
American University Campus Consultant
YY Yiljep is the Senior Counselor for Student-Athlete Development and Leadership at American University, where he provides academic support to the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams. Since joining AU in 2021, he has also served as an adjunct professor and oversees the Stephanie M. Bennett-Smith Life Skills & Leadership Academy for student-athletes.
Before AU, YY worked at Marymount University, where he was Case Manager and Manager of Wellness, Prevention, and Education, designing holistic wellness programs for students. He holds two master’s degrees from AU in Sports Analytics and Management (2020) and Marketing (2019), as well as a B.S. in Business Administration (2017). YY also played for AU’s Men’s Basketball team from 2013-2020.
Ryan Harris
Davidson College Campus Liaison
Ryan Harris is a junior at Davidson College, where he is pursuing a degree in Psychology and competes as a member of the Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field team. Originally from Portsmouth, Virginia, Ryan’s lifelong passion for sports is rooted in his commitment to health and well-being. He has worked with nonprofits focused on mental health advocacy and education and is dedicated to ensuring that mental health is valued by all. In his free time, Ryan enjoys hiking, biking, beach trips, and traveling with family and friends.
Anna Gill
Georgetown University Campus Liaison
Anna Gill is a dedicated student-athlete at Georgetown University, studying International Politics with a minor in Spanish. As a D1 field hockey player, she brings a strong work ethic, resilience, and a passion for teamwork to every aspect of her life. Anna actively engages in campus leadership through Georgetown’s Women’s Athlete Leadership Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where she promotes collaboration, mentorship, and positive impact. In her free time, she likes to cook and bake, hike with her friends, and play golf and tennis. Her background in high-performance athletics and dedication to using sports as a platform for change make her a strong advocate for community-focused initiatives that leverage sports for social good.
Kelis Armstrong
Howard University Campus Liaison
Kelis Armstrong is a third-year student-athlete at Howard University, competing in Track and Field while pursuing a degree in Health Management. She also serves as a Community Service Chair in The Society of Health Management at Howard. Passionate about community service, she works with Grassroots Health to educate adolescents in D.C. on mental, nutritional, and sexual health. Kelis is dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities and aspires to become a health administrator, building equitable healthcare systems and making healthcare more accessible for marginalized communities worldwide. In her free time, she likes to bake and watch superhero movies.
Kimberly Douglas
Athlete Engagement Intern
Kimberly is a student at the University of Michigan, majoring in Sport Management with a minor in Public Health. She is passionate about using sport as a catalyst for positive social change and is particularly interested in the intersection of sport, and community impact. Her academic and professional experiences have centered around inclusion, sustainability, and community.
Kimberly has worked with organizations such as the University of Michigan Concussion Center, and Girls on the Run, where she has supported community engagement, marketing and communications. In addition, she is passionate about the environment and served as the Co-Chair of Sustainability at the LPGA Dow Championship and is a Sustainability Scholar at Michigan.
Kimberly’s work is driven by a strong belief in the power of sport to inspire service, build community, and drive meaningful change. Through both research and hands-on experience, she continues to explore how athletes and sport-based organizations can create lasting, positive impact in the communities they serve.