Sally Roberts - CEO and Co-founder

Sally Roberts is a leader, State Department sports diplomat, entrepreneur, and former elite athlete dedicated to advancing women’s wrestling and strengthening opportunities for the next generation. As the CEO of Wrestle Like A Girl (WLAG), she has played a pivotal role in securing NCAA Championship status for women’s wrestling, ensuring that female athletes have the same avenues for success at the highest levels.

A former world-class competitor and U.S. Army veteran, Sally exemplifies discipline, perseverance, and strategic vision. She spent eight years as a resident athlete at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center, where she became a three-time National Champion, World Cup Champion, two-time World Bronze Medalist, and an Olympic Alternate. She later served in the U.S. Army, including a combat deployment to Afghanistan, and competed in the Army’s World Class Athlete Program, representing the United States as a soldier and a high-performance competitor.

As a CEO and industry leader, Sally has positioned WLAG as a key force in the growth of women’s wrestling. She has worked alongside the NCAA, USA Wrestling, and policymakers to ensure institutional recognition and advancement for female athletes. Her efforts have helped shape the sport’s future, establishing clear pathways for success at grassroots, collegiate, and Olympic levels.

Sally’s expertise and executive influence have earned her numerous accolades, 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 25 elite women leaders across seven nations to participate in the EY Women Athletes Business Network, a program designed to propel high-potential women into executive roles.

A sought-after speaker, Sally has addressed audiences at the United States Olympic Museum, the U.S. Institute of Peace, the National War College, and top industry forums, sharing insights on resilience, strategic growth, and advancing leadership roles for women in sports and beyond.

Sally holds a Bachelor of Arts 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.

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.

Justin Gorkowski - Member

Justin Gorkowski is a military advisor at the U.S. Department of State and has served over two decades in the United States Army. He received his commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he was captain of the wrestling team and a graduate assistant wrestling coach. Justin has been assigned all over the world, with tactical assignments in the 25th Infantry Division and the 2d Cavalry Regiment, including tours to Afghanistan and Iraq. Later he served as a Defense Congressional Liaison for a United States Senator and then led an operational planning team oriented on countering adversary weapons of mass destruction for U.S. Special Operations Command. Justin grew up wrestling in Iowa and Arizona, and continued to coach throughout his career at clubs and schools in Missouri, Virginia, and Germany.

Justin holds a PhD in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia, Masters Degrees in Joint Information Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School, and Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from West Point. He resides in Northern Virginia with his wife and three daughters.

Stephanie Shack - Member

Stephanie Shack is a proven senior executive with an extensive background in analyzing, acquiring and managing commercial real estate across multiple asset classes.  She is currently the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Continental Realty Corporation, a privately-owned and operated real estate investor that acquires and manages multifamily communities and high-quality retail and office space in 13 states across the country. Previously she served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Enterprise Community Partners, a national nonprofit started by Jim and Patty Rouse that has invested $44 billion and created or preserved 781,000 homes in all 50 states and is the parent of a family of companies that include Enterprise Community Investment, a 501(c)(4), Enterprise Community Loan Fund, a 501(c)(3), Enterprise Community Development, a 501(c)(3), Enterprise Residential, LLC and Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate. Prior to joining Enterprise, Ms. Shack honed her real estate transactional skills in her 16 years as Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary at Corporate Office Properties Trust, a publicly traded REIT.

Ms. Shack has a longstanding commitment to giving back to her community.  She is currently President of the Board of Directors of GEDCO, a Baltimore-based non-profit that provides community services, homeless and supportive housing and older adult services. She is also on the Boards of Directors of Maryland Book Bank, serving as Secretary and as a member of the Finance Committee, Broadway Hearts and the United Way of Central Maryland Region United Network of Baltimore City. Previously, Ms. Shack served on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake for 16 years, chairing the Homeowner Services Committee, sitting on the Finance Committee and serving as Secretary and member of the Executive Committee. She also served on the Board of Directors of MD CASA Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Chesapeake and The Woman’s Industrial Exchange.

Ms. Shack received her J.D. with distinction from Emory University School of Law and her B.A. with honors from Washington University in St. Louis. In 2022, she was named one of The Top 50 Attorneys of DC by Attorney Intel.