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Leadership
Meet our board of directors, advisors and team who bring our mission to life.
Our Team
The dedicated team behind the Women's Coaching Alliance, working tirelessly to create opportunities for young women to become leaders through coaching.
Pam Baker
Founder
Pam Baker is a valued connector, longtime healthcare leader, and founder of the Women’s Coaching Alliance, created to honor her late husband Doug’s legacy.
Marcie Low
COO
Marcie Low has spent her entire career immersed in the dynamic world of start-ups, embracing the title of “Jill of all trades, master of none.”
Leighton Burgess
Director Marketing Strategy & Communications
Leighton is a seasoned brand and digital marketing pro (ex Clorox, Genentech, Amgen) who executes high-impact omni-channel campaigns and strategies.
Kristin Jerome
Director of Events & Operations
Kristin, an events & operations manager, merges a passion for sports with organizational expertise to advance mission goals and community impact.
Magda Marcel
Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships
Magda brings her consulting and technology expertise—and a passion for women’s leadership and sports—to the Women’s Coaching Alliance.
Heidi Schell
Director of People Engagement & Donor Operations
Heidi merges corporate & nonprofit expertise, fueling her passion for sports, community, and developing the next generation of female leaders.
Kathy Toon
Curriculum Designer
Kathy Toon is a professional D1 collegiate tennis coach, sports performance consultant and nationally-known trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance.
Our Board and Advisors
Our board members and advisors are a diverse group of accomplished professionals who bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion to the Women's Coaching Alliance, guiding our organization in its mission to empower young women through coaching and leadership development.
Pam Baker
Founder
Pam Baker is a valued connector, longtime healthcare leader, and founder of the Women’s Coaching Alliance, created to honor her late husband Doug’s legacy.
John Ailanjian
Board Member
John is a Next Legacy Managing Partner, fueling early-stage fintech, consumer, enterprise, and SaaS ventures, backed by extensive Goldman Sachs experience.
Chris Ardito
Board Member
Chris Ardito champions girls' potential in sports and leadership, leveraging his biotech executive experience and volunteer coaching.
Jay Banfield
Board Member
Jay Banfield is All Home’s Chief Officer of Economic Mobility, supporting the Bay Area’s vulnerable. Social entrepreneur & mental performance coach.
Jane Goodell
Board Member
Jane Goodell is an award-winning TV veteran, co-executive producer, and champion of women’s impact on pro football, the arts, and meaningful leadership.
Kathy Koo
Board Member
Kathy Koo, CFO at MedicAlert Foundation, is a seasoned leader with two decades in CEO/CFO roles. She champions women in leadership and supports WCA’s mission.
Jen Millet
Board Member
Jen currently serves as the President for Denver's NWSL expansion team. Previously she held leadership roles at Bay FC and the Golden State Warriors.
Miriam Paul Thacker
Board Member
Miriam is a global tax executive (DocuSign, Google, Coca-Cola), ex-college athlete, and champion for women leaders in sports and business.
Vivek Shah
Board Member
Vivek is the leader of Infinite Potential, helping CEOs & athletes create ultra high performance cultures, and the co-founder of Nitya Capital, a $3 billion real estate firm.
Jess Smith
Board Member
Jess Smith, President of WNBA Golden State Valkyres, revolutionizes sports revenue models with inclusive approaches, building on her Angel City FC success.
Poonam Prasad
Advisory
Poonam Prasad leads Prasad Consulting & Research, bridging philanthropic gaps for nonprofits. She's a renowned fundraiser, professor, and global board leader.
Danielle Slaton
Advisory
Danielle is an ex-USWNT soccer standout (Olympic silver, World Cup bronze), former pro champ, now educator, TV analyst, and NWSL club co-founder.
Jim Thompson
Advisory
Jim Thompson, founder of THIS! Is What We Did & Positive Coaching Alliance, champions youth sports positivity, women in leadership, and climate action.
Tara Vanderveer
Advisory
Tara VanDerveer, Stanford WBB Coach (1985-2024) & US Olympic gold winner, retired as second-winningest NCAA coach and 5-time National COY.
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Ajay Amlani
Advisor
Ajay K. Amlani is a recognized SF-based identity tech expert, leading iProov Americas, advising e-commerce, fintech, AI disruptors. Co-founded CLEAR.
Rick Fair
Advisor
Rick Fair has over 25 years of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Most recently, Rick was the Chief Executive Officer of Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotech focused on developing cellular therapies for cancer.
Ellen Estes Lee
Advisor
Ellen Estes Lee leads the Policy, Evidence & Access Strategy team within the Public Affairs & Access department at Genentech. She is also an Olympic athlete, having competed on the 2000 and 2004 US Womens Water Polo Team.
Anu Johl Singh
Advisor
Anu is the Director, Partnership Marketing at Sutter Health and oversees their strategic partnerships like Bay FC, Cal Athletics and California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).
