Contact us at info@womenssportsfoundation.org and your email will be directed to the appropriate staff member.
Senior Staff
Karen DurkinChief Executive Officer
Barry Giaquinto
Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Barry is responsible for the financial well-being of the Foundation, including accounting, human resources, information systems and facilities. Barry has more than 20 years experience in the nonprofit field, most recently serving as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at North Shore Animal League America, the nation’s largest no-kill adoption agency. He is currently serving on the Advisory Board for the Direct Marketing Association Nonprofit Federation, including its Government Affairs Committee. Barry received his Bachelor of Science degree from the New York Institute of Technology and his M.B.A. in finance from Hofstra University.
Jennifer L. Eddy
Senior Director of Programs and Events
Jennifer is responsible for overseeing the GoGirlGo! community programs in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and San Antonio. She also oversees the WSF's signature events, as well as foundation and government funding efforts. Prior to accepting her position at the Foundation in 2000, Jennifer was an assistant track and field coach at Emory University from 1995-1998. In 2000, she completed her graduate work at the University of Georgia, receiving a M.Ed. in sport management. She graduated from Allegheny College in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in English. At Allegheny, Jennifer was an All-American javelin thrower.
Yolanda L. Jackson
Sr. Director of Athlete Marketing & Promotions
A native New Yorker, Yolanda received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., a master’s degree in industrial psychology from Columbia University and a certificate in sports, entertainment and events marketing from New York University School of Professional Studies. Considered an expert on promoting and marketing female athletes, she is often asked to speak on various topics concerning them. She is responsible for consulting with corporations regarding athlete representatives as well as acting as liaison between athletes and the many organizations and corporations with which the Foundation is associated. Working closely with the USOC and the national sports governing bodies, Yolanda spearheaded the first research study that addressed the needs of female professional and amateur athletes. She created and runs the Foundation’s Speakers Service, which includes more than 100 elite athletes; designs and presents education and that which feature women athletes.
Maureen McFadden
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Maureen most recently served as both Vice President of Communications and Program Director of Equality Works at Legal Momentum (formerly NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund). While at Legal Momentum, Maureen was charged with rebranding, renaming and repositioning the organization. Prior to joining Legal Momentum, Maureen was in print and broadcast journalism, most recently as a producer for CBSNews and prior to that as Deputy Editor of Women’s Day. She is a graduate of Penn State, where she majored in journalism.
Tuti Scott
Chief External Relations Officer
Tuti oversees the organization's individual giving, major and planned giving, and campaign efforts. In her 15 years at the Women’s Sports Foundation, Tuti has engaged thousands of people in the organization’s mission with the result of raising more than $70 million to advance girls and women in sports. During her tenure, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s operating budget has grown 1,000%. By utilizing sport as a “cause” and leveraging champion athlete spokespeople, she has delivered broad public support for sport as a leadership tool and social change agent for girls and women. Tuti has built the organization into one of the top five fastest-growing women’s funds in the world, and her voice in the women’s funding movement has elevated the organization’s position and mission in the global philanthropic arena.
Marjorie A. Snyder Ph. D.
Chief Program and Planning Officer
Marj directs the programmatic and planning efforts of the Foundation including overseeing educational publications and research, the information referral service, internship program, grant making and award programs. She serves as a Foundation spokesperson and presents information at national and international conferences on physical education and sports-related issues for girls and women.
Development Staff
Milena Herring
Senior Development Officer
Milena develops and initiates major gift strategy in Manhattan to generate significant money for program operations and the Women’s Sports Foundation endowment. She works with our senior staff to build a marketing plan for the Billie Jean King International Women’s Sports Center to leverage the museum as a platform for cultivating major donors and corporate partners in NYC. Milena has more than 20 years of experience in business, marketing and fundraising. Most recently she was director of the NYC office of Innovative Resources Group, a development and fundraising consulting firm. Prior to that, she held senior development positions at the Lower Eastside Girls Club, the Battery Conservancy and the Municipal Art Society.
Terri Lakowski
Public Policy Director
Currently the Public Policy Director of the Women’s Sports Foundation, Terri is responsible for the operation of the Foundation’s Public Policy Department, which provides education, advocacy and legal assistance to hundreds of parents, coaches, athletes and administrators who contact the Foundation regarding situations of gender discrimination in sport. She oversees the execution of all of the Foundation’s advocacy and public policy projects, such as participating in press conferences and Congressional lobbying activities to advocate on behalf of Title IX and other gender discrimination laws and developing state and local education and advocacy initiatives to improve athletic opportunities for girls and individuals with disabilities in both school and community recreational athletic programs. Prior to working at the Foundation, Terri developed and spearheaded a Title IX education and advocacy program at the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri (ACLU-EM). As part of this effort, she worked with administrators from more than 10 school districts in Missouri to improve their compliance with Title IX and performed educational workshops for more than 1,000 individuals, including administrators, students, parents, teachers and coaches. Terri graduated summa cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied social thought and analysis with a concentration in women’s studies. While at Washington University, Terri wrote an honors thesis “Title IX & High School Athletics: An Introspective Look Into Compliance Practices” and participated on the women’s varsity basketball team for three years.
Chris Voelz
Leadership Gifts Officer
Chris identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major gifts. In her own words, her job is to “Change the world one gift at a time.” Chris also serves as an ambassador for the Women’s Sports Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation Chris was the Director of Women’s Athletics at the University of Minnesota. Chris set records in fundraising, facility construction, attendance records and team rankings as well as academic records throughout her 14-year tenure. Chris was named NACWAA District Administrator of the Year and has been inducted into both her alma mater ISU’s Hall of Fame as well as the University of Minnesota Athletics Hall of Fame and the UM Softball Hall of Fame. Also authored “Motivation in Coaching Team Sports” and is a popular speaker. She was noted as one of the Top Women of Influence in Sport in America by Women’s Sports and Fitness magazine and was named No. 22 in the 100 Most Influential Sports Figures of Minnesota in the Century (November 2004). Her awards include NAGWS National Award, Governor's Leadership Award, Founding Feminist Award and Pathfinder Award.
Marketing Staff
Aleia Naylor
Senior Marketing Officer
Aleia serves as the primary liaison for the Foundation’s corporate partners. She markets the Foundation’s grant programs, initiatives and events and, along with the Communications team, works to sustain and broaden the Foundation’s brand identity and messaging. Aleia represents the Foundation at various marketing and sports-related conferences. She supervises the Marketing Coordinator and two outside consultants. Prior to joining the Foundation, Aleia held marketing positions within a sports agency, athletic department and apparel company. Aleia received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wake Forest University’s Calloway School of Business – Winston-Salem, NC.
GoGirlGo! Community Staff
Janna Baker
Director, GoGirlGo! Atlanta
JBaker@WomensSportsFoundation.org
Janna Baker, from Jonesboro, Georgia developed her values of commitment, dedication and hard work through an eleven year career as a classically trained ballet dancer. By training upwards of thirty hours a week as an small child and adolescent, she discovered the importance of physical activity and how it can be an amazing platform for building friendships and aspiring for larger goals outside the ballet studio. Since that time, Janna obtained an MSW at Georgia State University. With ten years of experience in nonprofit program development and fundraising, Janna has had the opportunity to work with United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, Cool Girls, Inc. and the Georgia Transplant Foundation. She is excited to begin her work at GoGirlGo! because “She believes in the fortitude of young women when presented with an opportunity to become more healthy and active.” She looks forward to building an Advisory Council of volunteers committed to this effort as well as diverse the funding base of the Atlanta office.
Valerie Bushey
Director, GoGirlGo! Chicago
VBushey@WomensSportsFoundation.org
Valerie has been with the Women’s Sports Foundation since the launch of GoGirlGo! Chicago in September 2004. Valerie formerly served in key leadership positions with the Department of Defense, the Chicago Park District and the National Educational Service. She obtained her master’s from Indiana University in sports management and her undergraduate degree in physical education from Augustana College, where she was also a two-time All American in the heptathlon. As a public service hobby she facilitates Teacher Certification Preparation and Cultural Diversity Training and serves as a creative consultant for various entities.
Laura Cabanilla Cruz
Director, GoGirlGo! San Antonio
LCCruz@WomensSportsFoundation.org
Laura develops, coordinates, monitors and evaluates relationships with individuals, local organizations and agencies participating in the program in addition to managing the satellite office and conducting special events. Before graduating from St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, she completed the Washington Semester - Foreign Policy Program at American University in Washington, D.C., and has obtained a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Prior to becoming Director for GoGirlGo! San Antonio, Laura worked for the San Antonio Sports Foundation, promoting its Dreams for Youth Volleyball program as a coach, mentor and parent coordinator and was Chief of Staff to Councilwoman Antoniette “Toni” Moorhouse of District 3 and Chief of Staff to Councilman Roger O. Flores of District 1.
Candice Dixon
Coordinator, GoGirlGo! Atlanta
CDixon@WomensSportsFoundation.org
Candice is the Project Coordinator for GoGirlGo! Atlanta and is responsible for recruiting and working with the GoGirlGo! Community Network Organizations, volunteer management, program development and operations, training and education, and program outreach for counties served by GoGirlGo! Atlanta. Candice graduated from the College of Charleston with a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications and received a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Georgia State University. Before working for GoGirlGo! Atlanta, Candice served as the program and administrative assistant for the Zeist Foundation, Inc. Candice is a native of Greenville, S.C., and enjoys gymnastics and volleyball.
Linda Driscoll
Community Relations Leader, GoGirlGo! Boston
LDriscoll@WomensSportsFoundation.org
Linda identifies and cultivates GoGirlGo! Boston donors and sponsors while serving as the primary liaison for GoGirlGo! Boston with corporations, foundations, events and professional sports teams. Linda has more than 20 years of experience in sports management, nonprofit management, fundraising and community relations. Linda is the past president of the board of directors for the New England Women’s Fund, a nonprofit organization that increased opportunities for girls and women through sports, and a past member of the NCAA Boston Local Organizing Committee, where she served as the Special Events and Hospitality Chair for the Women’s Final Four in Boston in 2006. In addition to her work with the Women’s Sports Foundation, Linda currently also serves as the Director of the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay MetroWest Area, where she oversees the programs and fundraising for 54 cities and towns. Prior to her work with the Women’s Sports Foundation, Linda served as the Executive Director for the Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation, Director of Sports Management and Program Development for the Massachusetts Special Olympics and a Sports Management Consultant for Special Olympics International in South Africa. Linda has a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
Cicley Gay
GoGirlGo! Program Officer
CGay@WomensSportsFoundation.org
Cicley develops, coordinates, monitors and evaluates community participants in GoGirlGo! nationally. She has demonstrated a commitment to women’s issues through her work with Planned Parenthood and the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps) in order to strengthen communities. She formerly served as the national director of STAND (Students Take Action For New Directions) and worked to educate students on the importance of public service, politics and federal budget priorities.
Lauren Gordon
Coordinator, GoGirlGo! San Antonio
LGordon@WomensSportsFoundation.org
Lauren is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1996. While in high school, Lauren was a top 20 USTA state-ranked tennis player who was also a finalist for the State Sportsmanship Award. She played No. 1 singles repeatedly on the Alamo Heights team, which won 4A state team tennis championships for her last three years. Lauren then attended Texas A&M University, where she was class social secretary, class representative to the Association of Former Students, class representative to the 12th Man Association, Public Relations Officer of 30-Loves (support organization for the men’s varsity tennis team) and a member of the National Dean’s List. Upon graduating with a degree in sport management, Lauren worked for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, as Executive Meeting Coordinator for the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter/Riverwalk Hotels, and as Director of Operations for Creative Dining & Entertainment. After starting in summer 2006 as a consultant and the Community Relations Leader for the Women’s Sports Foundation’s GoGirlGo! San Antonio, Lauren embarked upon 2008 with a promotion to her full-time position of GoGirlGo! San Antonio Coordinator.
Whitney Post
GoGirlGo! Boston Director
WPost@WomensSportsFoundation.org
Whitney brings the mission and extensive recourses of GoGirlGo! to Boston communities. A former world champion and Olympic rower, she is the founder of Teaming with Power, a consulting practice committed to empowering female athletes. Her clients include national team athletes, Harvard University, MIT and Boston University. Whitney has designed treatment programs at area hospitals and delivered hundreds of trainings and workshops teaching women tools for healthier relationships, improved self esteem, and positive body image. She holds a BA from Brown University and a master’s in counseling phychology from Lesley University. She brings to the position her dedication to the transformative power of the female athletic experience and every girl’s right to be a part of this community.
Regina Rizzo
Coordinator, GoGirlGo! Chicago
RRizzo@WomensSportsFoundation.org
Regina is a Chicago native who has taken on the role of GoGirlGo! Chicago Coordinator. She has a B.A. in sociology and Spanish from North Park University. She is a single mother of two toddler girls who are 15 months apart. Regina enjoys jogging all year round and biking in the summer. As a long-time volunteer, she recognizes the importance of and values volunteers. She is also involved with rights for immigrants and renters as well as a being a leader and active member of her church. Regina wanted to be a team player with the Women’s Sports Foundation because she knows the need of GoGirlGo! in Chicago, especially the Hispanic Girls Initiative. She understands the essence of having young women and girls active and knows that it could not be possible without the organizations in the community who provide their facilities, programs and equipment. As a member of the team, Regina’s responsibilities as GoGirlGo! Chicago Coordinator include but are not limited to involvement and execution of the GoGirlGo! Education Program, fundraising and development, community outreach and events. Regina’s work history is well-rounded, from working with the Chicago Park District, being a Physical Education Teacher and Director of After School Program for grammar schools, case managing low- and high-risk gang members, case managing low and high risk pregnant women, and the most recent work experience as supervisor of a city-wide Tenants Rights Hotline and Volunteers.
(Note: This partial listing only includes members of the senior staff and external-relations team)