Leighla has called Seattle home since 2006. She played basketball, softball, and volleyball until basketball became her primary sport as an adolescent. Leighla’s love of the game has provided her with years of coaching experience, creating access to the benefits of play. Her passion for working with the community and youth fueled her studies at the University of Washington where she earned a BA in Community Psychology and then a MA in Policy Studies. While working on her undergraduate degree Leighla completed an AmeriCorps term in partnership with Up2Us and Upower. Leighla is passionate about creating equitable systems and finding creative ways to dismantle institutional barriers, for everyone to live healthy, happy lives. When not getting paid to play with Upower, Leighla enjoys yoga, skiing, wake surfing and being with her family.

Throughout her time at Upower, Leighla has designed and rebranded the program of Upower while implementing Train the Trainer, Upower’s Toolkit, and Upower’s Equity Action Plan.

Contact Leighla (she/her) at leighla@u-power.org 

Marisa was born and raised in the Seattle area. She grew up playing ice hockey and soccer. She received her BA in Early Childhood and Family Studies from the University of Washington. She then received her MS in Family and Consumer Sciences from the University of Idaho. Marisa has worked in the field of recreational physical education for over 10 years across various sectors including preschools, recreation centers, military bases, hospitals, and more.

Marisa is passionate about creating sustainable trainings and programming that nurture the resiliency and social emotional growth of youth in underserved communities. In her free time, Marisa enjoys lifting weights, exploring new hiking trails with her dog AND cat, spending time with family, cooking, and playing video games.

Contact Marisa (she/they) at marisa@u-power.org

Noel was born in Farmington, New Mexico. Noel is proud to be raised in the Four Corners area on Navajo Native Land. Noel went on to receive a MA in Criminal Justice and a BA in Psychology from New Mexico State University while participating on NMSU’s Cross Country and Track & Field team. Noel has a passion in finding a remedy for mass incarceration through serving the community and is interested in analyzing effective alternative sanction programs to combat recidivism rates. When not spending time with the Upower team, Noel enjoys skateboarding, playing music, weight-lifting, and spending time laughing with friends and family.

Noel is currently working on Youth Led Friday’s curriculum to teach youth about disparities and policy changes and encourages kids to lead class for their peers. Noel has implemented Diversity and Equity Trainings for the team and is actively working on creating a Land Acknowledgement map for the website. Noel works closely alongside Executive Director, Leighla, in developing ethics, equity, diversity, and community outreach projects.

Contact Noel (they/them) at noel@u-power.org

Manny was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He moved to Washington three years ago and attended Seattle University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. Manny has been involved in sports, specifically soccer, since the age of three, and he actively participates in the game across three different leagues. When not on the field, he volunteers his time coaching girls’ soccer, a role he’s embraced for a decade, working with young athletes aged 14-18.

Manny’s decision to join Upower was motivated by his desire to positively impact local youth in the community. He expresses a commitment to teamwork, aiming to inspire young individuals to become the best versions of themselves. Upower provides the platform for him to do just that. Outside of Upower, Manny enjoys going to the lake, wakeboarding, spending time with friends, reading, watching movies, and playing video games.

Contact Manny (he/him) at manny@u-power.org

James was born in Greenville, Mississippi. He was raised in Oakland, California. He attended Chico State University where he was a member of the men’s basketball team. He left Chico State to attempt playing basketball overseas. James plans on going back and finishing his education. Following, James started coaching and stressing to kids and young adults how important it is to finish school. He has nearly a decade of experience as a youth basketball coach. He specializes in sports leadership, mentorship, and building strong relationships with the communities Upower serves. With the kids, James focuses on proper form and technique to help build the youth’s basketball skills. Many students seek out James for specifically tailored advice regarding basketball. Additionally, James was a caregiver and worked in the special needs department and 18+ programs at Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas. For Highland, James was also one of the assistant and developmental coaches. James has a lovely wife and together they parent four talented kids and six beautiful grandchildren. When he’s not at Upower, James is either playing basketball or reading anything he can get his hands on. His favorite genres include the civil war, abolitionism, black rights, and other history elements related to human rights. His favorite authors include W.E. B. Du Bois, Carter G. Woodson, and John Brown.

James is currently working on Upower’s Summer Curriculum for Youth in Detention & Incarceration with Coach Sam. James is responsible for developing and connecting the warm-up and activity portions of the curriculum with Coach Sam’s topics and lesson content. As a coach, James emphasizes the importance to motivate, encourage, and inspire our youth through basketball and other drill based activities. He heavily focuses on the individual student’s needs and interests, and works within their zone of proximal development to meet their ultimate goals. James acts as a critical role model for professional coaching techniques and mentors fellow staff.

Contact Coach Vicks (he/him) at jvicks@u-power.org

Olivia was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Olivia graduated Seattle University with a BS in Kinesiology and University of Washington with a Masters in Education. Using a trauma-informed approach, Olivia plans to support children to adapt to a healthy lifestyle. Olivia is passionate about taking what she has learned back to her community on Native American Reservations to reinforce the importance of getting active to strive towards a healthier lifestyle. Olivia believes that kids need time to be kids, and believes that  equitable access to physical activity allows children the space to express themselves and take part in healthy habits. With being a minority, Olivia has a passion for helping youth from marginalized communities by coaching and encouraging exercise that leads towards a healthy lifestyle.

Contact Olivia olivia@u-power.org

Azucena was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Azucena has earned an Associate of Arts Degree and a BS in Kinesiology from Seattle University. Azucena grew up playing soccer and also participated in volleyball and track &  field. She is passionate about helping bridge the opportunity gap for youth of color to compete in sports and find activities that spark their interest while developing essential life skills. Azucena joined Upower to help bring a safe space for underserved youth to have fun and express themselves fully. She believes that building a positive relationship with physical activity from a young age is crucial for positive youth development. Outside of Upower, Azucena enjoys spending time with her cats, making art, taking walks, and playing soccer.

Contact Azucena (she/her) at azucena@u-power.org

Johann “Andrés” was born and raised in Coatepec Veracruz, Mexico, a city in the mountainy forest in the central region of Veracruz, two hours away from the Gulf of Mexico. He moved to the U.S. in 2016 to Auburn, Washington, and now lives in Seattle. Johann is in the 3rd year of his undergraduate degree in Early Care & Education, focusing on helping children that have difficulty learning in conventional school settings. Johann is very passionate about soccer, a sport he grew up playing, and has recently started boxing. His biggest passion is seeing the improvement and positive impact exercise has on youth. He was raised on the belief of always giving people a hand when in need, without expecting anything in return. He enjoys helping his community and providing a safe space and opportunities for others to grow, be resilient, and use physical activity to have fun and learn how to create a healthy lifestyle through play. Johann is excited to see how much he can accomplish and provide for the community, as his journey in this region has just started. Outside of Upower, Johann enjoys playing the requinto and spending time with his cats. He also likes playing online with his friends and hiking and camping outdoors.

Contact Johann (he/him/él) at johann@u-power.org

As a functional fitness trainer, former youth basketball coach and mother of four adult children, Martha saw firsthand the health gap that exists between teens who have access to fitness activities and those who do not. Determined to help close this gap, she founded Upower in 2013. Martha is an experienced management consultant, having worked with management training programs in cities worldwide. In Seattle, she has served on a variety of nonprofit and for-profit boards and as an independent angel investor, consulting for companies such as Amazon.com. Martha holds a BA in American Civilization from Williams College and an MBA in Marketing from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

During his 20+ years at Microsoft, Stafford managed public relations and media as well as print and online initiatives for the Global Diversity and Inclusion team. He congruently established relationships with outside civil rights and human service organizations, K-12 schools, minority colleges and universities. Stafford worked to create and implement programs that give underserved communities equal access to technology. His efforts helped to provide Microsoft products and training to minority students and their teachers. Stafford has served on several Seattle-area nonprofit boards and often speaks at K-12 schools about the importance of academics and technology. He earned a BA in Sociology from the University of Washington where he played on the Husky football team. Stafford enjoyed a 10-year NFL career as defensive lineman playing for St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.

Lucy is a strong believer in the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle paired with the presence of strong leadership and guidance. After graduating from Connecticut College with a BA in Art History, Lucy earned an associate’s degree in graphic design. She currently owns LB Creative Seattle, a small graphic design company. Lucy has volunteered with various at-risk youth organizations throughout the country including the Children’s Waiting Room in Pittsburgh and Invest in Youth in Seattle.

With strong business, fitness and community service experience, Luke leads our initiative to engage more millennials. He is an analyst at the investment firm Trilogy Search Partners and has spent time mentoring youth at Eye to Eye, volunteering for the VA and as a Boy Scout, participating in various community service activities including his own Eagle Scout project. Luke earned a BS in Biology from Whitman College where he also studied anatomy and physiology and worked as an athletic trainer. A Seattle native, Luke enjoys the outdoors and endurance athletic events.

Taylor was born and raised in Seattle. She received a BA in Sociology with a focus on race and ethnic studies from Colorado College and currently serves as director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at University Prep. Taylor grew up competing in gymnastics, learning core values the sport has to offer such as discipline, grit, and belief in yourself. After gymnastics, Taylor followed in her brother’s footsteps and began playing ultimate Frisbee. She has been playing ever since middle school and coaching ultimate since college. She currently coaches at UPrep and the women’s team at the University of Puget Sound. When not on the frisbee field, Taylor is often found curled up with her cats, probably catching up on her favorite podcasts.

As a lifelong student and athlete, Sarah is passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives — be it on the field or in the classroom. She founded Best Foot Forward, a consulting company that provides guidance for college-bound high school students with a focus on student athletes. Sarah is a former English teacher, having taught at Stuart Hall High School in San Francisco and Oak Knoll School in Summit, New Jersey. Prior to her career in education, Sarah worked as an analyst at First Union Securities and as an assistant account executive in the Merrill Lynch Private Client Group for J. Walter Thompson. She holds AB in English from Princeton University and a Masters in English from Columbia University.

Michaela was born and raised in Seattle, WA. She serves as a Workforce Planning Project Manager & Data Analyst in Highline Public Schools. She manages various Human Resources projects, including increasing systemic support for the well-being of Highline’s adult workforce, the creation of a new leadership pathway for principals, redesigning HRs separation and exit data collection, and support for leadership hiring. Prior to her role in Human Resources, Michaela was a social studies teacher for eight years in the Bay Area before returning home to the Seattle area, where she has served as a Dean of School Culture and Restorative Justice and instructional coach in Highline Public Schools. She holds a School Administrator Certificate from the University of Washington, a Masters of Arts in Teaching, and a Bachelors in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity from Stanford University.

Andrew is currently working toward his BSN while also serving in the Emergency Room at Swedish Medical Center. Born in Twin Falls, Idaho, and raised in Kirkland, Washington, Andrew has always been passionate about contributing to his community. He holds an A.S. in Biology and is set to complete his BSN soon.

Andrew has a rich sports background, having played baseball, men’s swimming, water polo, football, and track and field, with one of his proudest achievements being his qualification for Regionals in men’s swimming. His favorite way to stay active is by playing yard games like catch and tag with friends and family, as he believes physical activity brings people closer together and creates lasting memories. After a workout, he enjoys a Fairlife Corepower protein shake.

Outside of work and school, Andrew loves spending time with family, playing board games, and learning quirky science facts. He’s excited to bring his energy and enthusiasm to Upower, where he can make a meaningful impact on the community.

Chloe is originally from Hong Kong and is pursuing a Nursing Degree at Seattle University. She is passionate about meaningful connections and believes that life is best learned through the experiences of others, making selfless service one of her core values.

In her free time, Chloe enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and spending quality time with family and friends. Though not a big sports enthusiast, she fondly remembers winning several medals in her high school’s interclass sports day for 4×100 relays. Chloe’s favorite thing about Upower is the opportunity to engage with the community and help others through fitness and wellness.

Donald is originally from Hong Kong, and is pursuing a degree in kinesiology with dreams of becoming an occupational therapist. Before moving to the U.S. three years ago, he worked as a detective officer, where he developed a passion for helping others. He channels his passion into supporting injured individuals through fitness and wellness. Donald has also volunteered with Lifelong, the Food Pantry, and Byrd Barr Place, demonstrating his commitment to community service.

In his free time, Donald enjoys cooking, exercising, and exploring Seattle’s culture. While recovering from a back injury, he’s stayed active with lighter fitness activities and is eager to return to volleyball and gym soon. Donald’s favorite thing about Upower is the supportive environment and the chance to make a positive impact on others’ lives.

Kaitlin is a current intern at Upower and a student at Seattle University, where she is pursuing a BA in Public Administration and Non-Profit Leadership, with a minor in Management. Originally from San Francisco, California, Kaitlin has a deep passion for working with kids and youth, which has been a driving force since her early years.

At Upower, she is excited to learn more about the Seattle community and contribute to youth-related activities. In her free time, Kaitlin enjoys reading, music, theater, and discovering new places in Washington. She also loves playing volleyball with friends and staying active—her favorite fitness activity is the treadmill, and her go-to post-workout treat is boba.

Madison is originally from Honolulu, HI, Madi has a passion for community, movement, and creativity. She’s currently working toward her Bachelor’s in Nursing and loves to stay busy with hobbies—crocheting gifts for friends and catching up on Netflix shows. Growing up, Madi was all about staying active, playing volleyball, paddling, and kayaking. Now, she brings that same love of movement to Upower, where she helps kids experience the joy of being active and taking a break to just be themselves. Her favorite part of being with Upower is seeing kids light up when they find freedom in fitness!

Mohan Sai Narayan is a current intern at Upower, bringing a diverse background in cybersecurity, market research from Seattle University. Born and raised in Chennai, India, Mohan pursued a Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering before transitioning to business analytics. Currently, he is pursuing Master of Science in Business Analytics from Seattle University. Outside of his professional pursuits, Mohan enjoys exploring new places through hiking and fitness activities. In Mohan, you’ll find a friend and a collaborator, someone who’s always ready to roll up his sleeves and work towards a brighter future for all. With his dedication and enthusiasm, Mohan is on a mission to inspire others to reach their full potential and create positive change in the world.

Phoung is a dedicated nursing student working toward her BSN after earning her AA in Pre-Nursing. She also works as a Nurse Tech, where she gains valuable hands-on experience and develops the skills needed for her future career in healthcare. Originally from Vietnam, she has lived in the U.S. for five years and is passionate about helping others.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking traditional Vietnamese dishes like Pho with her mom. Staying active is important to her—she loves starting her mornings by walking around a local schoolyard, and her favorite post-workout snack is fresh fruit, particularly apples and bananas. One of her greatest accomplishments is securing her Nurse Tech role, which required persistence and multiple applications and interviews.

She’s excited to be part of Upower, as she believes in its mission to support youth during difficult transitions. She relates to the challenges teenagers face, having experienced her own struggles during a period of change. A fun fact about her is that she enjoys sharing life stories and connecting with those around her. She also played badminton and looks forward to a career in nursing, where she can continue her passion for helping others.