ValUes

Sally Roberts - CEO and Co-founder

Sally Roberts is an athlete, veteran, and the founder of Wrestle Like A Girl. This mission-driven organization aims to empower girls and women using the sport of wrestling to become leaders in life. Sally’s vision is to see every girl, every woman in the world, be afforded the opportunity to wrestle. She considers sport a vehicle for social change, driving the belief that the full inclusion of women is the task of the 21st century.

Sally was a resident athlete at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center for eight years, where she became a Three-Time National Champion, a World Cup Champion, a Two-Time World Bronze Medalist, and an Olympic Alternate. She joined the Army in 2010, and after returning from a combat deployment in Afghanistan in 2012, she joined the Army's World Class Athlete Program. She represented the United States as a service member and an elite athlete.

Sally's dedication to empowering women through sports has earned her numerous awards, including the 2016 Women in Sport Award from United World Wrestling and USA Wrestling's 'Woman of the Year' for 2018. She was also selected as one of the 25 elite women from seven nations and 23 sports to participate in the EY Women Athletes Business Network. This mentoring program is designed to propel high-potential women leaders to greater heights of achievement.

As a sought-after speaker, Sally has addressed audiences at the United Nations Summit, the United States Olympic Museum, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the National War College. She has also authored Op-Ed columns for USA Wrestling and has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning with Rita Braver.

Sally holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of the Rockies. She is also a certified nutritionist from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

Maryann Bruce - Chair of the Board of Trustees

Maryann is a trailblazer who has dedicated her career to positively impacting the world. Her experience as a former Fortune 100 Division President & CEO, combined with her passion for cultivating women leaders and promoting gender equality, has made her a catalyst for change. She has successfully started and grown businesses, implemented turnarounds and transformations, and served on numerous boards, including Amalgamated Bank, MBIA, Atlanta Life Financial Group, PNC Funds, and Allianz Global Investors Funds. Maryann's leadership and expertise have been recognized by Directors & Boards magazine, and she graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with a BA in Economics. Her journey inspires all those who strive to make a difference and leave a lasting impact on the world.

Nate Ackerman - Treasurer

Nate Ackerman is an exceptional talent who has significantly contributed to mathematics and the world of sports. Nate is a brilliant mathematician who has taught at some of the world's top universities, including Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of California, Berkeley. He has made groundbreaking contributions to the field of mathematics and has been recognized for his work by the academic community.

Nate is also an accomplished wrestler who has represented Great Britain in multiple international tournaments, including the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. His discipline, dedication, and hard work in academics and athletics have been truly inspirational, and he has been an outstanding role model for young people worldwide.

Nate's achievements demonstrate that anything is possible with determination and hard work. He has shown that you can pursue your passions and excel in multiple fields with the right mindset, attitude, and work ethic. Nate's journey is a testament to the fact that you can achieve greatness if you have the courage to pursue your dreams.

Nicole Linda Kelsey - Secretary

Nicole Kelsey is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience in Fortune 500 and disruptive technology companies. As General Counsel and Secretary at Amyris, she uses her expertise in international M&A, complex commercial transactions, and multi-jurisdictional corporate governance standards to help global growth-oriented companies.

Ms. Kelsey's leadership style is marked by her ability to build, groom, and inspire best-in-class teams to excellence. She is a champion of diversity and actively mentors both women and men, fostering the launch of Amyris's first mentoring program for women by women this year. Ms. Kelsey is an inspiring speaker on diversity, mentoring, and other leadership topics throughout the legal and technology communities in the U.S. and abroad.

Her achievements have been recognized by the Databird Business Journal, which awarded her the 2019 Female Executive of the Year Award. She inspires those who aspire to lead with excellence and integrity.

Nicholas Stonestreet - Member

Nick Stonestreet is a distinguished financial services professional with over 30 years of experience managing a wide range of wealth management businesses. His journey from holding multiple positions at Merrill Lynch to co-founding and serving as CEO of Vident Financial to becoming the CEO of Thrivent Trust Company is an powerful example of dedication, hard work, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His leadership and expertise have made a significant impact on the financial services industry, and he continues to inspire many aspiring professionals to achieve their goals with passion and determination.

Nick Stonestreet received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and a Master’s Degree in International Business Studies from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. He lives in Alpharetta, Georgia, with his wife, and they have four adult children and one grandchild.

Lisa Flanary - Member

Lisa Flanary is a distinguished professional and philanthropist, whose story serves as an inspiration to many. As a highly accomplished C-suite level executive, Lisa has made significant contributions to the corporate world, holding management positions across multiple industries. Additionally, Lisa is an accomplished photographer and a passionate wrestling fan, showcasing her diverse interests and expertise.

Lisa's unwavering commitment to serving others and contributing to the greater good is remarkable, as demonstrated by her philanthropic efforts. Through her leadership and dedication, she played an instrumental role in establishing GiGi's Playhouse, an organization dedicated to creating playgrounds for children with disabilities. Her efforts exemplify her vision for equal access and opportunity for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.

Lisa's academic achievements are equally impressive, having earned degrees in journalism and mathematics from Augustana College, as well as an MBA from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Her passion for serving others and contributing to the greater good is a testament to her character and values, making her a shining example of leadership and diplomacy.

Helen Maroulis - Member

Helen Maroulis is a renowned athlete who has made significant contributions to sports diplomacy and humanitarian efforts across the globe. Born and raised in Rockville, Maryland, Helen discovered her love for wrestling at a young age and honed her skills diligently. She started her wrestling journey by competing against boys, and later on, switched to competing against female wrestlers at the age of 17. With her remarkable achievements and heart for serving others, she has become a source of inspiration for many athletes. Helen has earned her two Olympic medals and three World Championship titles in Women's Wrestling. Helen became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in wrestling in 2012, earning her a place in history.

Throughout her illustrious career, Helen has been honored to represent Team USA on 12 occasions, each time demonstrating an unwavering spirit of resilience, passion, and perseverance. In addition to her on-field accomplishments, she has consistently exhibited the highest standards of sportsmanship, displaying fairness and goodwill towards her opponents and teammates alike. Helen's commitment to excellence and her gracious attitude have earned her admiration and respect from friends and competitors alike.

Helen is a humble individual who always strives to serve and support the causes she cares about. She is a trustee for Wrestle Like A Girl and also serves as a board member for When We Band Together and Beat The Streets - Washington, D.C. Helen was an ambassador for United World Wrestling’s Super 8 Campaign, which aimed to promote women's wrestling worldwide. Through her unwavering dedication and passion for wrestling, she has inspired numerous young athletes to pursue their dreams and strive for excellence. Helen is a genuine role model, a beacon of hope and resilience, and a perfect example of what can be achieved through hard work, commitment, and perseverance.

Dan Hyman - Member

Dan is an experienced investment professional with almost twenty years of experience in the field. He currently holds the position of Managing Director and portfolio manager at PIMCO, a top-level fixed-income investment management firm. Dan was a wrestler for Arizona State University and Lehigh University, where he won the 2002 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championship.

Dan is actively involved in charitable causes aimed at helping children, promoting sports, and advancing education - all of which are in line with WLAG's vision and mission. He possesses significant experience serving on non-profit boards and currently sits on the Board of Governors of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Board of Beat the Streets Los Angeles. Dan has also served as the Vice-Chair for the Children's Hospital of Orange County and was a member of the PIMCO Foundation Board.

Kerry McCoy – Member

Kerry McCoy is an accomplished athlete, coach, and advocate for equality. He is a two-time US Olympian, Olympic Coach, and 2x NCAA Division 1 National Champion. He has over 20 years of coaching experience. Kerry has produced numerous NCAA champions and All-Americans and has worked to provide opportunities to inner-city kids through wrestling clinics and camps. He is a founding member of the Black Wrestling Association and HBCU Wrestling Initiative. He serves as Secretary of the USA Wrestling Board of Directors and has served on multiple Olympic committees. Kerry was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014 and recognized as a Penn State University Distinguished Alumni in 2018.

Jennifer Pope - Member

With over 25 years of expertise in global health and development, Jen is a devoted professional committed to improving the lives of vulnerable populations worldwide. In her current role as Vice President at Population Services International, she spearheads teams dedicated to advancing consumer-powered health care globally with the goal of improving conditions at the community level. She has led globally dispersed teams with a track record of raising over $1B in funding and has provided strategic support and leadership in the development of numerous grassroots organizations. Jen has long been an advocate for dismantling barriers, particularly for women and girls, so they are able to fulfill their full life aspirations.

Jen holds a BA from Colby College, a Master's in International Economics and Development from Johns Hopkins University, and an MBA from the University of Maryland, As a former collegiate athlete and current youth coach, Jen firmly believes in the transformative power of sports for advancing gender equality and catalyzing positive social change. Jen's multifaceted approach, blending leadership in global health with advocacy for gender equality, exemplifies her holistic dedication to creating a better world for all. 

Shoney Blake - Member

Shoney Blake is a partner at Pipestem Law, P.C. specializing in Federal Indian and tribal law. From representing victims of sexual and domestic violence in their applications for deferred action under the Violence Against Women Act and U nonimmigrant status to co-authoring amicus briefs at the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the National Indigenous Women’s Resources Center, some of Shoney’s most fulfilling work has been elevating the voices of and advocating for women. 

Shoney was raised in a wrestling family, fostering a deep love and appreciation for the sport. As a coach’s wife, Shoney has witnessed a wrestling room’s capacity to cultivate unfaltering camaraderie in athletes from different cultural, socio-economic, and political backgrounds and to instill in them the values they carry with them long after their time on the mat has ended.

Shoney currently serves on the boards of the Stanford Indigenous Alumni Association, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, and Tulsa Literary Coalition. In 2021, she was inducted into Stanford University’s Multicultural Hall of Fame.

Jim Hathaway - Member

Jim Hathaway joined Qurate Retail Group in May 2021 as Senior Vice President to lead finance for the company's largest reporting unit, QxH, serving as CFO for QVC US and HSN. Beforejoining Qurate Retail Group, Hathaway spent more than 20 years with PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, where he took on increasing responsibility in financial leadership roles, including Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis of Frito-Lay, a $17B Division of PepsiCo. Prior to that position he held various divisional and business unit CFO roles within Frito-Lay's U.S. operations. Mr. Hathaway is also a U.S. military veteran.

Mr. Hathaway received a Bachelor of Arts from College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts where he was captain of the track and field team. He also earned his M.B.A from Columbia Business School in New York City, New York.

John Bardis - Member

With more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Mr. Bardis is an influential leader and entrepreneur that recently served as Chairman and CEO of ShareMD and has held numerous senior management positions. During his career he served as president of Kinetic Concepts and CEO and president of TheraTx before founding one of the foremost healthcare financial improvement companies in America, MedAssets in 1999. His efforts have earned him many prestigious accolades including “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2015 by INC. Magazine, “Technology Entrepreneur of the Year in the Southwest” in 2012 by Earnest & Young, and in

2013 he was the recipient of Becker Healthcare’s Annual Healthcare Leadership Award, which named him as one of the “Thirty Top Leaders in Healthcare in the U.S.”. Mr. Bardis also earned the title of “Top 100 Most Influential Leads in Healthcare” from 2011 to 2014 by Modern Healthcare.

Mr. Bardis has also served as Assistant Secretary of Administration for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and on several company boards and committees including the board of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Board of USA Wrestling, Board of Advisors of the Eller College Management at the University of Arizona, and global board for Cancer Treatment Centers of America to name a few. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors of Jackson Healthcare in Alpharetta, Ga.

Philanthropy

Mr. Bardis currently serves as the Chairman and Founder of Hire Heroes U.S.A, a non-profit veteran employment and training organization he founded in 2006. Hire Heroes USA has grown to be the largest veteran employment organization of its kind in the United States. In January 2019 Hire Heroes achieved a major milestone of hiring over 10,000 veterans in a calendar year. As a result of their proven success and transparency, HHUSA has been recognized as best-in-class by the Call of Duty Endowment, the George W. Bush Institute, the USO, and several additional impactful organizations.

 Mr. Bardis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Arizona and is a frequent presenter at healthcare conferences and meetings. He has published a variety of healthcare related articles in national publications including articles in Forbes, Market Watch, Institutional Investor and Investor’s Business Daily.

Wrestling

Mr. Bardis’ commitment to wrestling began when he started competing at the age of 10. He went on to achieve remarkable success finishing second in the Illinois high school state championships and winning a Junior National title in Greco-Roman. He won a Western Athletic Conference championship during his time at the University of Arizona, was the 1976 Olympic Regional Trials Freestyle champion and placed third in the 1976 Greco-Roman Olympic Trials. Mr. Bardis has helped organize and sponsor countless activities for the wrestling community and has provided leadership and support for USA Wrestling including serving as Director of Development and Finance for the Committee for the Preservation for Olympic Wrestling (CPOW), which led the successful effort to retain wrestling’s place on the program of the Olympic Games in 2013. He has also acted as Team Leader for the U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team during the 2008 Beijing and 2020 Tokyo Games and was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame as an Outstanding American in 2013.

HRH Prince Ali Bin Hussein of Jordan

His Royal Highness Prince Ali was born in Amman on December 23rd, 1975, to His late Majesty King Hussein and Her late Majesty Queen Alia, may their souls rest in peace. His Royal Highness began his primary education at the Islamic Educational College in Amman and continued his studies in the United Kingdom and the United States, where he graduated from Salisbury School in Connecticut in 1993, and His Royal Highness excelled in the sport of wrestling.

His Royal Highness entered the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in the United Kingdom. He was commissioned as an officer in December of 1994 and was awarded the Brunei Medal. Before continuing his studies in the United States, His Royal Highness served in the Jordanian Special Forces, earning his freefall parachute wings. His Royal Highness Prince Ali holds the rank of Major General in the Jordanian Armed Forces.

In 1999, His Royal Highness Prince Ali became the President of the Jordan Football Association, and he succeeded in leading the Jordanian team to the finals of the FIFA Youth World Cup of 2007, as well as bringing the national team to the final round of the FIFA 2012 World Cup qualifiers, for the first time in the history of Jordanian football and despite all challenges. In addition, Jordanian teams have also passed the three major Asian qualifying competitions (men, youth, junior), several times.

In 2012, His Royal Highness established the Asian Football Development Project, which is a non-profit project aiming to provide necessities to all national and regional unions and their development sub-organizations in Asia, in a fair and transparent manner. His Royal Highness seeks to achieve further progress in the talents and youth sectors, as well as women’s football and social development, especially in marginalized areas, in addition to protecting and developing Asian football and elevating it to a world-class level. The project has launched development initiatives in more than 20 countries to help refugees and those who are at risk of human trafficking and other underprivileged groups.

His Royal Highness is the Chairman of the Board of the Royal Film Commission, which was established in 2003 with a vision to develop an internationally competitive Jordanian film industry and invigorate Jordan’s cultural and economic role in the region and beyond.

His Royal Highness married Princess Rym Ali, daughter of veteran U.N. and Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi. The Royal Couple have a daughter, Princess Jalila, and a son, Prince Abdullah.

Mr. Alan Meltzer

Alan Meltzer started The Meltzer Group in 1982 as an individual insurance agent. Over time, he expanded the company to over 400 team members across five divisions, making it one of the largest insurance consultants and corporate philanthropists in the greater Washington, D.C. region.

Alan’s work ethic and strong values, along with The Meltzer Group’s philosophy of “listening, learning and leveraging” to be as effective as possible in serving its clients, were the driving forces behind the company's exponential growth. The Meltzer Group's year-over-year growth and community impact made it an ideal acquisition target for NFP, the sixth-largest privately-owned broker in the U.S. ($1.46B in 2019 revenue), which bought The Meltzer Group in 2016. The acquisition more than doubled the regional workforce and geographical footprint, while leveraging the knowledge, reach, and impact of nearly 5,600 employees and 300 offices worldwide.

Alan believes that one's net worth is measured by how much they help others, both from a business and philanthropic standpoint. Along with his wife of almost 40 years, Amy, ander Group, he is among the most prominent philanthropists in the greater D.C. area. Their focus is on supporting causes such as Juvenile Diabetes, the United States Holocaust Museum, and Beat the Streets, Washington D.C. Alan is also actively involved in many charitable organizations, serving on the board of American University, United Jewish Federation in Washington, D.C., and several others.

Alan and Amy currently live in Boca Raton, Florida, and are blessed with four children and six grandchildren.

Mr. David Grevemberg, C.B.E.

David is a highly experienced sports administrator who is widely recognized as an the field. He is particularly passionate about advocating for disabled athletes and promoting equal opportunities for all. Throughout his career, David has held various positions at organizations such as Disabled Sports USA, the International Paralympic Committee, and Glasgow 2014 Limited, the organizing committee for the Commonwealth Games held in Scotland that year. In addition to his administrative work, David has also worked as a coach, athlete agent, team administrator, consultant, and board member. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to all of his professional endeavors.

David has served as the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the organization tasked with overseeing the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games. Following his tenure at the CGF, he joined the Centre for Sports and Human Rights. David holds a Master of Science degree in Sports Administration from Georgia State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management with a minor in Business from Springfield College. Presently, he resides in London, England, with his spouse and two children.

Sally Roberts - Co-Founder and CEO

Sally Roberts is an athlete, veteran, and the co-founder of Wrestle Like A Girl. This mission-driven organization aims to empower girls and women using the sport of wrestling to become leaders in life. Sally’s vision is to see every girl, every woman in the world, be afforded the opportunity to wrestle. She considers sport a vehicle for social change, driving the belief that the full inclusion of women is the task of the 21st century. 

 Sally was a resident athlete at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center for eight years, where she became a Three-Time National Champion, a World Cup Champion, a Two-Time World Bronze Medalist, and an Olympic Alternate. She joined the Army in 2010, and after returning from a combat deployment in Afghanistan in 2012, she joined the Army's World Class Athlete Program. She represented the United States as a service member and an elite athlete. 

Sally's dedication to empowering women through sports has earned her numerous awards, including the 2016 Women in Sport Award from United World Wrestling and USA Wrestling's 'Woman of the Year' for 2018. She was also selected among the 25 elite women from seven nations and 23 sports to participate in the EY Women Athletes Business Network. This mentoring program is designed to propel high-potential women leaders to greater heights of achievement. 

As a sought-after speaker, Sally has addressed audiences at the United Nations Summit, the United States Olympic Museum, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the National War College. She has also authored Op-Ed columns for USA Wrestling and has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning with Rita Braver. 

Sally holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of the Rockies. She is also a certified nutritionist from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. 

Bio for download HERE 

Amy Zirneklis - Co-Founder and COO

Amy is a successful leader in sports management, possessing expertise in international business and diplomacy. She is passionate about empowering girls and women using the sport of wrestling to become leaders in life. Her experience in sports has helped her develop a champion mentality. She co-founded Wrestle Like A Girl, an organization that has significantly impacted female wrestling in the United States and across the world. This platform allows young girls and women to develop their athletic abilities and leadership skills.

Amy's strategic vision and execution have driven WLAG's success in supporting girls' wrestling to become one of the fastest-growing sports for girls and women. She is known for her calm, smooth diplomatic, and collaborative approach, which has played a significant role in establishing a historic partnership with the Jordanian Wrestling Federation cooperation and support.

Amy holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Rider University. She has also earned Certificates of International Affairs from New York University and The Law of the Sea from Rhodes Academy of Oceans and Law Policy. She has a certification in Mindfulness from U.C. Berkeley.

Bio for download HERE

Lyn Hunter - Chief Technology Officer

Lynward 'Lyn' Hunter Jr. is an advocate for fairness and inclusion. As a father of three girls, he witnessed firsthand the positive impact of sports on his daughters. Lyn is committed to promoting women's participation in sports and demonstrates this as a parent, wrestling coach, and leader at Wrestle Like A Girl. He understands how wrestling can build character, self-discipline, and resilience. He works towards breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for young women to thrive and become the next generation of leaders.

Lyn has extensive experience in marketing, web development, graphic design, video and film production, and broadcasting. His technical proficiency enables him to lead various WLAG projects and initiatives.

Lyn is an active community member, coaching his daughters' soccer and wrestling teams. He generously volunteers his time and resources to non-profit organizations that contribute to the greater good.

Lyn lives in New Jersey with his wife and three daughters.

Bio for download HERE

Tela Bacher - Programming and Special Projects

Tela Bacher is an Olympic wrestler, a passionate advocate, and a leading expert in sports diplomacy. She has been a trailblazer on and off the mat in promoting gender equality and fairness in sports. As the Program and Special Project Manager at Wrestle Like a Girl (WLAG), Tela has been instrumental in organizing numerous wrestling and coaching exchanges and workshops with various countries, including Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and Ukraine. She led partnerships with the U.S. State Department on several initiatives, including addressing gender-based violence against girls in Pakistan and promoting leadership development for First Nation girls and women in Canada.

Tela's passion for advancing female wrestling and promoting gender equality has led to the development of the Teal Certification program, which aims to educate coaches of female wrestlers. The curriculum, first launched in the United States, is now being used in more than five countries and is being translated into multiple languages. The Teal Certification program is a landmark achievement, signifying the first-ever female-specific curriculum in the history of wrestling as a sport, and serves as a foundational resource for advancing female wrestling.

On the mat, Tela has represented Team USA on world teams and was a member of the first women's wrestling team at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

As a founding board member of WLAG, she continues to ensure the organization's mission and focus remain steadfast on serving girls and women. Tela graduated from Trinity College with a degree in Psychology and holds a Mind-Body Eating Certification from the Institute for The Psychology of Eating, highlighting her dedication to holistic wellness.

Bio for download HERE