Fatima Alabdullah
Director of Finance
Fatima Alabdullah has five years of experience in supporting underserved populations through accounting and financial management. Most recently, Fatima was dedicated to serving NYC families that are living on the economic fringe through her management of multiple budgets at the Educational Alliance. Originally from Syria, Fatima began her professional career in the United States by assisting the Jan Peek House, a shelter for homeless adults, in their finance department. She went onto support five different organizations in their financial management through her work with Robert Half Finance and Accounting, where she developed a special passion for nonprofit work. Fatima has also worked as a junior financial analyst for the Stephen Gaynor School, catering to bright children with learning differences.
Julia M. Lankford
Director of Development
Julia M Lankford has over 14 years of nonprofit management experience. For Families First, she provided direct services in impoverished areas by determining local needs and designing economic opportunities to empower individuals to improve their own lives. Due to her keen insight and strong leadership, more than 1,200 Georgia residents gained economic security. Julia has also worked as the Neighborhood Revitalization Manager and Grants Manager for the East Athens Development Corporation, where she cultivated and stewarded relationships as part of a grant pipeline process. She has been the recipient of numerous community service awards, including the Young Professional on the Rise, and Forty under Forty Professionals in Northeast Georgia, and ESSENCE Woman of the Year. She received her BS in political science and Masters of Public Administration from Georgia Southern University, as well as her accounting certification from Athens Technical College. When Julia is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Toryn, and her daughter, Teghan.
Rachelle Patel (Boyer)
Director of Marketing and Partnerships
Rachelle has built partnerships between corporates, government organizations, and community organizations, such as the British Council, Premier League, MLS, and New York Public Library at both a national and international level. Rachelle has been successful in raising money and building awareness for various organizations by producing quality events for audiences ranging from VIPs and high-net-worth individuals to young people, and by securing funds from grants and individuals. Originally from South Carolina and with Haitian roots, Rachelle has a passion for helping others and for sport that provides a strong foundation for the work she does at Laureus USA. Rachelle graduated from Furman University with a BA in communications and a BA in political science.
Stewart Young
National Program Officer
Stewart Young has built and managed youth development programs for the last 25 years across the globe. Through working for a detached youthwork program in Belfast, a group home in South Africa, and a surfing and mentoring program in South Central Los Angeles, Stewart understands what it takes to deliver high-quality programs in a variety of community settings. After coaching his own son’s initial soccer journey and helping to found Louisiana Rugby, Stewart is excited to be able to support the long-term growth of Sport for Good programs in his hometown of New Orleans and across the Laureus network.
Ben Schornack
Chicago Program Officer
Ben Schornack is an experienced coalition-builder, fundraiser, and facilitator in the field of sports-based youth development. He previously worked as the NYC Director for Up2Us Sports, where he managed local fundraising, programming, and coach development. Prior to Up2Us, Ben has worked as a program manager and basketball coach, and he is a proud alumni of AmeriCorps VISTA. He has also been a guest-lecturer for the St. John’s University sports management program and the Adelphi University sports-based youth development program.
Ben believes that well-designed sports programs can provide youth with a caring coach-mentor, an opportunity to build transferrable skills, and a safe space that allows healing from traumatic or stressful life circumstances. Throughout his career, he has worked with community organizations and stakeholders to merge assets and build capacity in order to achieve these high-impact outcomes. Ben lives in Chicago with his wife, Jenna. He graduated from Central College in Iowa with a BA in psychology.
Pharlone Toussaint
Atlanta Program Officer
Pharlone Toussaint has a decade of experience as an advocate for using sports as a catalyst for social change. Her passion blossomed in 2007 alongside the Honorable Archbishop Desmond Tutu during a youth symposium hosted by Wheelock College targeting Boston Public school student leaders. Her experience working on both the college and professional level has allowed her to gain a greater insight into sport for development programming growth strategy and implementation. She has supported community relations and corporate social responsibility efforts for several professional sports teams, including the Los Angeles Kings and the Boston Celtics. She has also worked with professional athletes, both active and retired, on various social entrepreneurial initiatives. Pharlone is an Atlanta native where she is also a consultant in the creative-cause marketing arena and holds a BS in management with a concentration in marketing from Boston College Carroll School of Management.
Brendan Hawkes
Senior Development Manager
Brendan is an experienced social impact strategist, fundraiser, and network-builder who has spent the last decade working with non-profit leaders and funders to develop evidence-based solutions that produce sustainable outcomes for young people. Prior to Laureus, Brendan worked at the Student Success Network in New York City where he helped build and grow the Network to 80 organizations, led the implementation of its 3-year strategic plan, and later oversaw institutional fundraising, development, and strategic partnerships. He began his career as a 6th Grade Math Teacher in Metro Atlanta, where he served as grade-level math chair and soccer coach for the undefeated Renaissance Middle School Wildcats. Brendan believes in the power of sport and collective impact to undo systemic barriers, combat racism and expand opportunity for communities across the US and around the world. Brendan graduated from Brandeis University with a B.A. in International Studies and Economics. He is originally from Buffalo and currently lives in Brooklyn.
Tiffany Aidoo
New Orleans Program Officer
Tiffany Aidoo has a lifetime of experience as a high-level performing athlete and nearly a decade in advocating that sport is a catalyst for social change. Prior to joining Laureus, she worked in Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s office with the NOLA FOR LIFE program, which was Landrieu’s comprehensive murder reduction strategy. She successfully led the Midnight Basketball and Mentoring programs. In addition, she also has experience working within collegiate athletics, nonprofits, and various types of local and national stakeholders. Her passion for sports as a tool for social change transpired through her journey as a student-athlete and professional experience.
Tiffany has a MA and BA in communication from Tulane University, where she also received a full athletic and graduate assistant scholarship. She is also a certified National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM) personal trainer and teaches TRX suspension training classes.
Peter Feldman
New York City Program Officer
Peter Feldman has more than a decade of experience as an educator and sports-based youth development professional. He is humbled and excited to support Sport for Good New York City’s community driven collective impact efforts. As a former high school teacher and coach, Peter believes that intentional programming, strong relationships, and high-expectations, high-support cultures are vital to fostering positive youth outcomes through sport. Prior to joining Laureus, Peter worked at CitySquash, where he spearheaded the creation of their social-emotional learning program, successfully led the organization’s expansion to Brooklyn, and cultivated crucial new institutional relationships and funding sources.
A lifelong learner at heart, Peter also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Adelphi University sports-based youth development fellowship program. He earned a B.A. in History from the University of Pennsylvania and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. Peter is originally from the Philadelphia area and enjoys reading, playing basketball, and spending time with his wife, Sarah, and their dog Zazu.
Sara McLaughlin
Data and Evaluation Manager
Sara McLaughlin has experience in the non-profit sector having worked with organizations focused on youth development, including Girls Inc. and Right to Play USA. She has also spent time in the classroom environment, volunteering as a mentor to aid high school students through the college application process. As a lifelong sports fan and soccer player, she recognizes the unique power and ability that sports have, to educate young people and impact communities. Sara graduated from Fordham University in the Bronx, NY with a BS in Psychology, a concentration in International Humanitarian Studies, and a co-ed intramural basketball championship. Although originally from New Jersey, she considers herself a true New Yorker and currently lives on the Upper East Side.
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