We make a great team

Our Story

Based in Charleston, SC, our organization is driven by a powerful mission: to empower young girls to step into leadership roles and succeed in all facets of life, with sports serving as the catalyst.

Our focus is on supporting all girls, helping them to navigate and overcome barriers related to logistics, availability of sports options, and financial constraints. We offer programs for free to girls in rural areas and those attending Title I schools.

We are a 100% volunteer team of passionate and capable individuals, each bringing a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to fostering an environment where every girl can thrive and lead.

Through sports, we aim to build resilience, confidence, and camaraderie among young women, setting them on a path to success.

Our origin story

Meet the Team

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair wearing a blue sweater and hoop earrings, smiling in front of a blurred background.

    Melyssa Jaskiewicz

    Founder & Board President

    VP of Sales at Sideline Sports

  • A smiling woman with glasses and light brown wavy hair, wearing a black shirt, standing in front of a green plant wall.

    Paige Yeater

    Board Vice President

    Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Mainstay Technologies

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a blue top and a pearl necklace, against a plain gray background.

    Amanda Davis

    Board Secretary/Treasurer

    Registered dietitian and public health pro, currently the Director at the Value Institute at MUSC

  • A woman with long blonde curled hair smiling, wearing a black T-shirt with the logo 'Above The Grain Media Co.'

    Patricia Clark

    Marketing Chair

    Founder of Above the Grain Media and marketing leader for IOP Escapes

  • A woman with medium-length curly black hair standing outside, smiling at the camera. She is wearing glasses, a tan short-sleeved shirt, black pants, and a black belt.

    Jalonna Robinson, MPH, CHES

    Programs Chair

    Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and public health professional in Women's Health Research at MUSC

  • Jenn Goodrich

    Programs

    Served as the Executive Director for the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) for 23 years

  • Susie Paisley

    Development Chair


    Chief Financial Officer for OMATS Brands, LLC

  • A blonde woman in a red jersey, standing confidently with one hand on her hip and the other holding a volleyball.

    Olivia Finckel

    Coaching Coordinator

    Coaching, growing the sport of volleyball, and inspiring the next generation

  • A woman with long brown hair outside a brick building with large windows, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a denim jacket and a black shirt.

    Sarah Deyerle

    Events

    Former soccer player now working in architectural sign design

  • A smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing a black and white top and a necklace, against a dark grey background.

    Morgan Flynn

    Grants

    Assistant Director of Compliance for the College of Charleston Athletics Department

  • A smiling woman with a blonde bob sits outside in a white chair. She is wearing a tan sweater and a blue top.

    Andrea Easterday

    Equipment Coordinator

    Experienced in a variety of business consulting and project management

  • A woman with red hair and glasses smiling at the camera, wearing a pink T-shirt.

    Paige Meyer

    Social Media

    Communications major at the College of Charleston with a background in exercise science and sports

  • A woman wearing a white dress and a blue sash with orange trim stands on a deck near the ocean, smiling at the camera.

    Mary Rockelman

    Marketing/Public Relations

    Recent Public Relations and Sustainability grad from Pepperdine University

  • Woman with short dark hair smiles in a patterned halter top. She wears big earrings and glasses on her head.

    Dr. Cristina Esposito

    Operations/Finance

    Former naval officer and current owner of two businesses in the health and wellness sphere

  • Brunette woman wearing black shirt stands in front of a snowy background.

    Emily Vogelgesang

    Programs

    Former environmental engineer, environmental educator, and teacher trainer. Currently working in product management.

  • McKinley Pollard

    Program Systems

    Marketing strategist in public infrastructure and civic tech, MBA candidate, and lifelong athlete committed to community impact

  • A woman with dark hair smiling up at the camera as she is petting a brown dog beside her. She is outdoors wearing a long brown dress and white boots.

    Melissa Fichera

    Operations / Strategic Planning

    Corporate finance for public Media + Tech companies

  • A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair smiling in a pink T-shirt.

    Lori Shumaker

    Copywriting & Special Projects

    Administrative Coordinator at MUSC

  • Emma Marino

    Development

    West Virginia grad; Middle School Teacher

  • A blonde woman wearing a black shirt and green pants poses outdoors beside a brown and white dog.

    Catherine Neal

    Operations

    Fierce advocate for women's sports with a scrappy startup background

  • Mackenzie Kramer

    Marketing Operations

    Former college basketball player, passionate about helping young girls in sports

Advisors

  • A close-up of a man in a suit with spiked dark hair wearing glasses and smiling softly.

    David Ricca

    David, Founder & CEO of Vamos Venture Partners, has a diverse background in sports, finance, and philanthropy. A former college and pro soccer player, he later coached, scouted, and advised teams. He’s worked in international wealth management, business development, and sports analytics. A 9/11 survivor, he uses soccer to give back, founding Just Live Soccer to support underserved kids.

    Email David
  • A blonde woman in a black blouse smiling against a grey background.

    Christine Peeler

    Chris is a passionate, mission-driven fundraiser with over 30 years of nonprofit experience.  She currently leads a team of major gift officers for Covenant House International, raising millions of dollars to fight youth homelessness. Chris and her husband Aaron have three children- their youngest plays lacrosse. Sports have played a huge role in their family over the years and Chris has experienced first had how they empower young girls to know that they are capable of anything. 

    Email Chris

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