USAASF BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PRESIDENT

Joined the board in 2020

Coach, New Canaan YMCA Aquianas 

Hometown: Ridgefield, CT

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.”  

TRUSTEE

Joined the board in 1984-1995; 2005-present 

President, Winning Performance, Inc

Hometown: Danville, CA

Current Residence: Redondo Beach, CA

Karen has been involved in artistic swimming since 1968 where she started as an age group swimmer and competed on the first ever Team USA in 1979. She is a three-time collegiate champion in all events, 1982 World Champion in Team Event, and Silver Medalist at the 1983 Pan American Games Team Event. Karen has been coaching the sport since 1979, has been a nationally rated judged since 1972, and continues to be involved in the administration in various positions.

"This sport provided amazing opportunities for me throughout my life, and has taught me life skills. I want to help the sport grow so every athlete Involved In this sport might have the same opportunities.”  

TRUSTEE

Joined the board in 2021

Real Estate Agent, Urban Nest Realty

Hometown: Seattle, WA

Current Residence: Portland, OR

Michele grew up swimming for Seattle Synchro and was a Junior National finalist and Age Group National Gold Medalist. She also swam masters artistic swimming with Tsunami Synchro, moved to Portland to coach at MAC Synchro and continues to swim for the MAC Synchro Masters team.

“I hope my marketing experience can help grow the sport in the US. I love this sport and I want it to be more popular and available so that many more people can have the opportunity to try it.” 

SECRETARY

Joined the board in 1985

Retired

Former President, USA Artistic Swimming Foundation

Former President, USA Artistic Swimming Former Head Coach, The College of William & Mary

 Hometown: Williamsburg, Virginia 

Current Residence: Williamsburg, Virginia 

Barbara brings over 50 years of artistic swimming experience and a strong financial background to the foundation. She is our longest serving trustee and served as president of USAASF when the Olympic team got the first ever perfect 10 score. Barbara now focuses on the management of the web page and database functions with USAASF. Barbara’s varied background in technology, as a collegiate coach and as the Virginia Synchro Association Chairpersons, provides a basis for understanding the needs of the organization. 

 TRUSTEE

Joined the board in 2020

Owner, Retail Investment Group LLC
Hometown: Baldwin, NY

Current Residence: Scottsdale, AZ

Steven has been a “Synchro Dad” for 12 years and counting and even became a level I judge to understand the sport better.  Steven has been involved in many non-profit organizations over the years.  

“A personal goal would see the sport become more visible so more people can enjoy watching these amazing athletes compete at various levels.” 

 TRUSTEE 

Joined the board in 2018

Head Coach, Arizona Desert Dolphins

Assistant Chef de Mission, US Aquatic Sports

Hometown: Mesa, AZ 

Current Residence: Scottsdale, AZ 

Christine has been involved with artistic swimming for 29 years as an athlete, coach, judge, committee member and now as a parent! She is currently one of the Head Coaches of the Arizona Desert Dolphins, where her child now swims. She became a National Judge in 2018 while also beginning to work with our elite level athletes. Christine has helped many swimmers to National Team placements as well as developing the grassroots programs on her own team.

“I believe that the Foundation is instrumental in helping grow the sport of Artistic Swimming in the US. Working closely with the National Governing Body and local teams we are able to provide support for growth and education across all levels of the sport.” 

TRUSTEE

Joined the board in 2020

President and CEO, Bristlecone Strategies Chief Adventure Host, MacLean Adventures 

Hometown: Concord, CA

Current Residence: Reno, NV

Jill is a 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, Team 8-time World Champion, competed for the Walnut Creek Aquanuts for 13 years, as well as for the Arizona Aquastars for one year. Jill has been a coach, athlete representative and Board member for artistic swimming for a decade after retiring in 1996.     

"I joined the Foundation Board because I thought it would be a great new way for me to give back to the sport that has given me so much, and to re-engage with people I consider my family. ”  

TRUSTEE

Joined the board in 2022 

Owner/Operator, Gold Medal Pilates Studio

Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA

Current Residence: Colorado Springs, CO

Nathalie is an Olympic Gold Medalist with the 1996 U.S. team, US Junior National Team Assistant Coach, 2004 Olympic Duet Coach (Netherlands), Stanford University Varsity Synchronized Swimming Assistant Coach and Vice President of the USA Synchro Board of Directors from 2007-2010. 

“Watching the National Team, at the Olympic Qualifier, deliver an Olympic performance worthy of representing the US in 2020 Tokyo yet seeing them fall short of their dream by 2 tenths, made me think that if only I had been more active in supporting them, they might have overcome the odds and been able to represent the USA at the Olympics. I want to help generate the excitement and support that is needed to help Team USA be represented and rank among the top countries at the 2024 Olympic Games and beyond."

TRUSTEE

Joined the board in 2021

Controller and Associate Treasurer, Pomona College

Hometown: Tustin, CA

Current Residence: Upland, CA

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

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

TREASURER 

Joined the board in 2012 

Regulatory Certification Engineer, Stellantis

Hometown: Dearborn Heights, MI

Current Residence: Bloomfield Hills, MI

Beth has been involved in artistic swimming as an athlete, coach, and judge. Her mastery of MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Publisher, extensive database experience, and understanding and interpreting of federal and state regulations have continued to be invaluable to the foundation and to the sport.

“It is my goal to help the Foundation grow our finances, so we can better support Team USA and USAAS.” 

TRUSTEE

Joined the board in 2019

Founding President USA Artistic Swimming Foundation 

President, USA Artistic Swimming

(1977-1984 & 2012-2016) 

Hometown: Lutherville, MD

Current Residence: Lutherville, MD

Judy has served USA Artistic Swimming for the past 69 years as an athlete, coach, officer, judge and international leader. She has been president of USAASF two times, and was the longest serving president in history of the NGB. 

Judy has a long list of involvement in the sport including (but not limited to): 14 years swimming with the YWCA Aqualites, Competition Manager for the 1996 Olympic Games, 1984 & 2000 Olympic judge, 1988 & 1992 Olympic technical director. She was also inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as a Contributor.

"I am living proof of the mission of the Foundation. While I was only a local champion, my years as an artistic swimmer developed me into the leader I became. My lifelong work in the sport has been my way of giving back to the sport to ensure that athletes regardless of where they are from or their skill level, they deserve the opportunity to participate on a level playing field.  My personal goal is to see it grow by $1,000,000 before I retire as a trustee."

TRUSTEE

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."