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

    COO 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

    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

    CEO Above the Grain Media, Marketing at IOP Escapes

  • 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

    Community Outreach Chair

  • 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

    Women's Health Research at MUSC.

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

    Olivia Finckel

    Program Coordinator

    Olivia is a former All-American volleyball player who competed professionally in Switzerland and Spain. She led her college team to an undefeated season and NCAA Tournament run before trying out for the USWNT. Now in Charleston, she’s focused on coaching, growing the sport, and inspiring the next generation.

  • 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 Chair / Strategic Planning

    Melissa’s first love was Soccer, starting to play formally at 6, and continuing to play socially today. She’s thankful for soccer bringing her not only life long friendships and cherished memories, but also shaping her character. Melissa’s no stranger to the power of sport, having volunteered overseas with Just Play . Day to day, she works in corporate finance for public Media + Tech companies and spends her free time with her bff (her dog), Macaroni, exploring all the breweries around Charleston.

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

    Catherine Neal

    Operations

    Catherine fell for sports at an early age, and they've remained an integral part of her life since. From playing to volunteering to cheering in the stands - she lives and breathes sports, and credits being an athlete with her professional successes later in life. Catherine is a fierce advocate for women's sports, and brings her scrappy startup background to the LTF team. 

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    Morgan Flynn

    Grants

    Morgan currently serves as the Assistant Director of Compliance for the College of Charleston Athletics Department. Growing up playing sports, she understands the importance of leadership skills and friendship sports bring. She is excited to see the popularity of women’s sports growing in the United States.

  • 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

    Andrea’s professional journey encompasses a variety of roles, from business ownership and small business consulting to managing large-scale projects across industries. Andrea is also a dedicated track and field athlete specializing in Race Walk, competing both nationally and internationally. She is passionate about creating opportunities for future generations to thrive, both on and off the field.

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

    Paige Meyer

    Social Media

    Paige is a communications major at the College of Charleston with a background in exercise science and sports. She’s excited to apply her skills in a real-world setting and help share impactful stories. Passionate about the intersection of athletics and communication, she looks forward to making a difference through her work with Leveling the Fields.

  • A smiling woman with long blonde hair poses in a tan blazer and light blue top in front of a blurred background.

    Kathleen Kelly

    Community Outreach

    Kathleen is currently the Human Resources Business Partner at Starbucks and brings 15+ years in Human Resources and Career Development. Kathleen has found success in the corporate world through fostering teamwork, adaptability, and growth.  Each of these skills she attributes to being a young athlete has ignited a passion to provide the same opportunities for the next generation!

  • A brunette woman wearing green earrings smiling in front of a blue background.

    Melissa Jordan

    Special Projects

    Melissa currently serves as the Assistant Principal of Laurel Hill Primary in Charleston County School District. She has been in education for over 25 years. She and her husband Anthony have two sons, one in college and the other in middle school. Both of her children have grown up playing sports and she values all the leadership and teamwork lessons being in sports can teach.

  • A woman in a blue floral blouse under a black sweater smiling in front of a grey background.

    Patience Whitlock

    Special Projects

    Patience Whitlock is the Regional Key Account Manager at C.H. Robinson, where she has spent 23 years building strong partnerships. A dedicated advocate for girls' sports, she has played a key role in growing girls' lacrosse in South Carolina. When she’s not working or supporting her two daughters, you’ll find her on the pickleball court, embracing her love of competition and community.

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

    Lori Shumaker

    Copywriting & Special Projects

    Lori is currently the Administrative Coordinator at MUSC with a passion for giving back to her community. As a proud mother of two grown children, she dedicates a portion of her free time to volunteering with the Leveling the Fields steering committee, working to support the administrative needs of the organization. Lori believes in the importance of community involvement and strives to make a positive impact wherever she can.

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

    David Ricca

    Advisor

    David Ricca, 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.

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

    Christine Peeler

    Advisor

    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. 

Get Involved!

Steering Committee

Our committee is made up of a wide range of community members and non profit professionals.

Sub Committees

Our steering committee is divided into six sub-committees: marketing, development, community engagement, operations, grants, and programs. If you would like to join a subcommittee, please email us.