SquashSmarts Afterschool Youth Program

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SquashSmarts Staff

Stephen Gregg Executive Director since May 2004 215-221-6860 e-mail

Steve joined SquashSmarts in May 2004 after four years at the United States Squash Racquets Association as its first Director of Junior Development. Prior to the USSRA, Steve gained valuable coaching, administrative and leadership experience as a teaching pro and NCCA Division I college athlete at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. “I consider myself fortunate to lead a program whose mission provides opportunities for children to become passionate about sports and education.” A four-year varsity squash player at Trinity, Steve is a founding director of the National Urban Squash Association, a former member of the USSRA Junior Committee and an active member the Philadelphia Squash Association, the Racquet Club of Philadelphia and various other civic organizations. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Steve’s credentials include: - U.S. Squash Racquets Association, Director of Junior Development - Bala Cynwyd, PA - New York Racquet & Tennis Club, Teaching Professional - New York, NY - U.S. National Skill Level Champion, Squash - 5.0 Division - New Haven Lawn Club, Head Squash Professional - New Haven, CT - Self-contained cross-country bicycling expedition - Virginia to Oregon - Trinity College - Hartford, CT - The Taft School - Watertown, CT

Jeanie Shanahan Executive Assistant & Office Manager since July 2007 215-221-6860 e-mail

Jeanie Shanahan joined SquashSmarts in July 2007 after working for the United States Squash Racquets Association for six years as the Office Assistant and Office Manager. The USSRA introduced her to the game of squash. “I am honored to work with the students of SquashSmarts and interact and help with the growth of the SquashSmarts community” With a city wide high school dropout rate of over 50%, Jeanie feels strongly that “SquashSmarts will enhance the high school and college student graduation rates and help the students develop into solid citizens and community leaders in Philadelphia.” Jeanie resides in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, is a mother of five children and has five grandchildren.

Katie Bicknese Program Director West Philadelphia since November 2007 215-221-6860 e-mail

Katie joined SquashSmarts in November of 2007 after spending two years with City Year Greater Philadelphia where she first served as a corps member at Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia providing classroom assistance and running after-school programs. She then worked in the Development Department raising money so that the next group of young idealists could continue to make a difference in Philadelphia’s communities. Katie discovered her passion for community involvement at Penn State where she served hundreds of hours with Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-educational service fraternity. Of all the community work she's done, Katie is most thrilled when she sees a student's face light up after learning something challenging. "After-school programming is what made me enjoy my childhood and find a place for myself. Nothing makes me happier than being able to give such an incredible opportunity to today's youth." Originally from Pittsburgh but most recently from Chester County, Katie's credentials include: - Development Associate and Corps Member for City Year, Philadelphia, PA - Community Service Instructor for Summer Study, University Park, PA - Member of Alpha Phi Omega National Co-Educational Service Fraternity - Penn State University, University Park, PA

Dana Sanders Development Director since July 2009 215-221-6860 e-mail

Dana joint SquashSmarts in July 2009. Prior to SquashSmarts, Dana spent six years with Comcast at their corporate headquarters, most recently as Senior Federal Contract Compliance Analyst for the entire enterprise. He was responsible for responding to U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ audit requests and related requirements, including preparing and submitting annual reports and filings. His underlying passion for technology led him to create several solutions for Comcast, including a system redesign that saved Comcast over $100,000 annually and reduced turnaround from 90 days to 24 hours. A native Philadelphian, Dana is an alumnus of the Community Scholars Program of Germantown Friends School, which provides students with financial assistance to attend the private Quaker school. This opportunity gave Dana the access and focus he needed to attend Emerson College in 1989. “Being a community scholar at GFS taught me the value of service and giving back through works and deeds.” Dana’s energetic personality and strength as a writer and organizer will serve him well in his new development role at SquashSmarts. - Comcast, Senior Federal Contract Compliance Analyst, Philadelphia, PA - Member of Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) - Member of National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) - Member of Epsilon Omega Psi Community Service Fraternity - Emerson College, Boston, MA - Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia, PA

Jessica Regetta Academic Director High School Joined August 2010 215-221-6860 e-mail

Jessica joined SquashSmarts in 2010 after spending a year and half working with women and children of the Hispanic community in Wilmington, DE. Jessica graduated from Widener University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. During her experience at Widener, Jessica discovered her passion for working with children and community involvement. Jessica taught English oral communication classes while studying in Spain in 2008 and was the student leader of an international alternative student break in 2009. During that time Jessica was responsible of fundraising and helping to lead a group of students to Argentina for a 10 day community service project. “Of all the community involvement I have done, I really feel like working with middle and high school students; it is where you can make the biggest impression and the most immediate difference. I’m very excited to be a part of the SquashSmarts team and to have the opportunity to work with the great kids in our program.” - Member and Co-President of Alpha Mu Gamma, National Foreign Language Honor Society - Secretary and Treasurer of the Honors Program of General Education - Mental Health Aide/Student Mentor for Delaware Guidance, DE - Big Brother Big Sister, Chester County, PA - Widener University, Chester, PA - Universidad de Leon, Spain

Chris Wert Squash & Fitness Director since September 2012 215-221-6860 e-mail

Chris joined SquashSmarts in August 2012 after graduating from Kenyon College where he was a four-year member of the Men’s Varsity Squash team. Chris was no stranger to SquashSmarts, having spent two of his college summers working as a program intern. A Philadelphia native, Chris began playing squash at Philadelphia Country Club and was a member of the Harriton High School squash team. “Squash is an integral part of my life. To play squash and be a part of a team as a young person can be both a source of enjoyment and relief for our students while providing them with a safe place in which to grow and learn while the experience day-to-day success and failure.” - Squash Instructor, International Squash Academy Summer Camp @ Trinity College - Volunteer, Education Foundation of Lower Merion - International Baccalaureate & National Merit Scholar, Harriton High School, Lower Merion, PA - Kenyon College, Gambier, OH

Steve Brown Academic Director Middle School since September 2012 215-221-6860 e-mail

Steve joined SquashSmarts in September 2012 after finishing his second term of service with AmeriCorps through Playworks Philadelphia. Steve earned his BA from Duke University and a Masters in Reading/Writing/Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania where he completed his student teaching with Science Leadership Academy in Center City Philadelphia. Before graduate school, Steve spent two years living in Los Angeles, teaching at a private school for special needs students and CCEO Youth Build, a charter school that provides academic courses and on-site construction training for high-school aged youths. “I am incredibly excited to work with the staff and students of SquashSmarts. I believe very deeply in the ability of academics and athletics to work together to accomplish a common goal.” Originally from Wilmington, DE, Steve’s background includes: - AmeriCorps Member and Program Coordinator, Playworks Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA - University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, Philadelphia, PA - AmeriCorps Member and Classroom Teacher, CCEO Youth Build, Gardena, CA - Member, Duke University Track & Field Team, Durham, NC - Duke University, Durham, NC

SquashSmarts, c/o Lenfest Center, 3890 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140

Ph 215-221-6860 Fax 215-221-6866 info@squashsmarts.org