SANDRA MAHONEY

PRESIDENT

Joined the board in 2020

Administrative Director: 

New Canaan Aquianas

Former National Team Director USA Artistic Swimming

Hometown: Bedford, NY

Current Residence: Ridgefield, CT

Sandra has been involved with Artistic Swimming for 44 years as an athlete, coach and judge.  As an athlete, she was a four-time Collegiate National Champion and All American with The Ohio State University as well as both a Junior National, US Open Champion and National Team member.

Sandra helped develop The New Canaan YMCA Aquianas, into a nationally ranked program earning numerous East Zone, and National Titles as, well as placing athletes onto the National Team. She also coached National Teams at the Junior and Senior Level.

"I love the positive impacts that the USAAS Foundation has on every aspect of the sport at every level. I truly believe that we are funding the future of the sport.”  

TREASURER

Joined the board in 2021

Controller and Associate Treasurer, Pomona College

Hometown: Tustin, CA

Current Residence: Upland, CA

Mary Lou swam with the Meraquas of Irvine for 10 years and competed at the senior level. She also swam at the University of Arizona for one year before retiring. She  joined the masters team, The Unsyncables in 2010 competing in 4 world championships and 11 national championships.

“I joined the Foundation to help this amazing sport! ” 

GRANTS CHAIR

Joined the board in 2020

 Senior Assistant City Prosecutor, City of Seattle  

Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO

Current Residence: Seattle, WA

Margaret spent 8 years as a swimmer for the Kansas City Sea Sprites, 3 years as an assistant coach for the Colorado Springs Novas. She was also the independent director for USA Artistic Swimming from 2012-2020.

"I joined the board to help grow the sport financially and in numbers, promote diversity within the sport, and relieve the financial barriers that exist at all levels of Artistic Swimming."

SECRETARY

Joined the board in 2024

Provider Network Coordinator, Virtual Care and Digital Health with Providence Health System

Board Member: Multnomah Athletic Club Artistic Swimming Committee

Hometown: Superior, CO

Current Residence: Portland, OR 

Michelle brings a wealth of experience in the areas of: Systems development and implementation, Quality Improvement in health care and Team and culture building.  She has been involved in Artistic Swimming in many roles on the age group, collegiate and master levels. 

"As a lifelong athlete, I have benefitted many times over from Foundation grants and have hit a point in my life and career where I can coordinate the giving. Artistic Swimming has and will always be a part of me, and creating further connections and supporting dreams of Artistic Swimmers at different points of their journey is a personal and professional goal. My background with community healthcare has emphasized the importance of working with your community and developing the leaders and success stories of the future."

FUNDRAISING CHAIR

Joined the board in 2023

President & CEO WNY Veterans Housing Coalition

Hometown: Tonowanda, NY

Current Residence: Williamsville, NY

Gigi has a tremendous experience in the non profits as she has served as Executive Director Hamburg Counseling Service, Inc.

Sr. Director Pension & Employee Benefits, Catholic Health System

Benefits Director Columbus McKinnon Corporation and Cannon Design

National Team Program Coordinator United States Synchronized Swimming Inc.  

Gigi also has a passion and love for artisitc swimming. She began swimming at the age of 8, competed at an elite level. She has coached off and on since 1981.  She is a proud parent of two artistic swimmers, Cassandra and Julia Grizanti. 

"Artistic Swimming, formerly known as Synchronized Swimming, has been part of my life since I was 8 years old.  Either as a swimmer, parent, coach or fan.  I was National Team eligible my last year of swimming.  I had days to decide if I could raise the funds necessary to participate on the National Team.  It was not as much in today’s funds, but it was a fortune for my family at that time.  I had to decline.  I never want another athlete to have to decline participation in an opportunity like that.  I want to bring some of my professional and fundraising abilities to the Foundation so that never happens to another athlete.  We want our National Team to dream big while we make their dreams a reality."

TRUSTEE

Joined the board in 2024

Technical Coach, Cincinnati Synchrogators

Hometown: Valdez, Alaska

Current Residence: Cincinnati, OH

Chris brings a wealth of both organizational and artistic swimming expertise to the Foundation. Chris has a background as a software developer. He has previously served on the USAAS Board of Directors as the 

 VP of Competitive Programs and served on the USAAS Governance Committee. For the past decade he has helped organize and run many of the USAAS National Championships. and most recently he became a member of PAQ Technical Committee for Artistic Swimming.

While I was on the USAAS Board of Directors, we worked to update the Bylaws and Code to help focus the board on strategic goals rather than operational decisions. I’d like to bring that experience to the Foundation Board to help with the transition from an all-volunteer organization to an organization with an executive director. In addition, I’d like to help the Foundation grow and promote the sport that has been such a positive influence on my life.

TRUSTEE 

Joined the board in 2021 

Hometown: Austin, TX 

Current Residence: Austin, TX 

School: UVA

This is Emma's eleventh year as an athlete competing in Artistic Swimming. She has attended many national meets as well as national team trials, and was a rising star for 2 years. Emma also coaches younger swimmers on her team and is the head coach of her 12 and Under team this year. 

“I wanted to join the USA Artistic Swimming Foundation Board to further serve the Artistic Swimming community and become more involved in the inner workings of the sport. I also wanted to help spread accessibility to synchro, as it has made a very positive impact on my life, and I would like to give others the chance to experience the same opportunities that I have had."

TRUSTEE 

Joined the board in 2025

 Founder and Head Coach

Blue Legend Swim School & Blue Legend Artistic Swimming 

Hometown: Beijing, China 

Current Residence: Houston, Texas  

 Jing is a former professional artistic swimmer and coach with over 30 years of combined experience in the sport, including multiple national championships and the development of U.S. national champions and national team athletes. She also founded the first professional artistic swimming commercial performance team in her hometown. In 2014, she established Blue Legend Swim School in Houston, now serving more than 1,500 students across two locations, and later launched Blue Legend Artistic Swimming. Recognized for her leadership and contributions to the sport, she was named USA Artistic Swimming’s Developmental Coach of the Year in 2023. 

“As a mother of four, I balance the demands of family and career while dedicating myself to my lifelong passion—artistic swimming. Since I first became an athlete in 1996, inspired by the U.S. Olympic gold medal that year, I have carried a dream of contributing to the growth of this beautiful sport. Today, I find joy and honor in guiding new generations of athletes, watching them grow in confidence through artistic swimming. My goal is to create a lasting impact in the United States by helping more people recognize, embrace, and support this elegant Olympic discipline."

TRUSTEE

Joined the board in 2024

Chairwoman of the Board

Fly Casper Alliance

Member of the Board of Directors

Advance Casper

Hometown: Portland, OR

Current Residence:  Casper, WY

As a leader in her community, and sought-after fundraiser, Kaycee has used the skills she learned through her non-profit work to co-chair several successful fundraising initiatives.  She has extensive experience with events, capital campaigns and annual appeals for several non-profits including foundations, public/private organizations and political campaigns. She attributes her success with establishing and maintaining relationships with donors, sponsors and grant makers.