Meet the Team: Trish Clark, Marketing Chair

If you’ve seen any of our social media posts on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook—or taken a moment to appreciate the power behind our pink brand—it’s incredibly likely that Trish Clark played a role in bringing it to life.

She’s the motivator behind the scenes of our marketing team. The one who not only empowers those around her to create in ways that feel unique and authentic to them, but also ensures that, together, we’re moving in the direction our mission requires.

With the rapid growth Leveling the Fields has experienced over the past year and a half, there are a lot of moving parts to manage. Volunteers who need guidance. Donors who need to be connected to our work. Young athletes who need to be served.

In the meaningful chaos that comes with building a nonprofit and pursuing something that matters deeply, Trish provides a steady, grounding presence. She brings clarity when things feel scattered, direction when decisions need to be made, and encouragement when the work feels big.

So who is Trish Clark? And how did she become this calming, guiding force for our team?

I was lucky enough to sit down with her over coffee and talk about exactly that.

Where it All Began

Trish was born and raised in New Jersey, in a family where creativity and marketing were part of everyday life. Her father worked in marketing on a variety of well-known campaigns—projects that reached millions of people, often in ways they never realized. Watching his work unfold made a lasting impression. It showed her the power of messaging, storytelling, and connection. Both she and her brother would eventually follow in his footsteps.

Charleston, however, is where Trish built her own.

Building Her Own Path

After moving here for college—and with childhood memories of visiting family in nearby North Carolina and vacationing along the South Carolina coast—Charleston already felt familiar. After graduating, she chose to stay, slowly building both her career and her community in the place she now calls home.

Her professional path led her through marketing roles across a wide range of industries, including engineering, real estate, and vacation rentals. Each role sharpened her skills and expanded her perspective. But despite the stability and success, she felt the pull to create something of her own.

So, a little over four and a half years ago, she did.

Trish founded Above the Grain Media, a boutique marketing and media studio focused on brand strategy, content creation, and social growth. What started as an idea quickly became something more. Within the first year, she grew the business to nine retained clients, including a full-time flagship engagement—an accomplishment that speaks not only to her talent, but to her work ethic and ability to build trust.

An Athlete at Heart

Today, she continues to run her business while also serving as Marketing and Brand Manager for IOP Escapes. But even with a thriving career, there was something missing—something many former athletes understand without needing it explained.

She missed being part of a team.

Sports had always been a constant in her life. The structure. The camaraderie. The shared goal.

In fact, the first night I met Trish in person, I left our event to go to bed. She left to play goalie in her recreational soccer league’s championship game.

That’s who she is.

And it’s no surprise that the same traits that make someone a great athlete are the ones that make Trish such an impactful leader at Leveling the Fields.

Leadership Shaped By Sports

She leads with intention. Not by controlling every detail, but by creating an environment where others can grow into their roles with confidence. She gives early-career volunteers the space to try, to learn, and to develop their own creative voice—while always being there to guide, refine, and support.

She communicates clearly and thoughtfully. Whether she’s providing feedback on a design, helping shape a campaign, or talking through strategy, she has a way of making people feel both challenged and encouraged at the same time.

And she brings an incredible level of focus and attention to detail. She sees the big picture—where we’re going and why it matters—but never loses sight of the small pieces that make it possible to get there.

Most importantly, she shows up. Consistently. Reliably. Quietly making things better.

The Teammate We’re Lucky to Have

Leveling the Fields is stronger because of Trish. Stronger because of her leadership, her creativity, and her belief in what this organization can become.

But perhaps more than anything, we’re grateful for the teammate we’ve gained along the way.

Because the best teams aren’t just built on talent.

They’re built on people like Trish.