Jason Belinkie
Chief Executive Officer
Since joining AFH on the first day it opened its doors, Jason has played an integral role in the development and growth of AFH’s programs, partnerships, educational curriculum, fundraising, athlete membership, and community impact. Nearly 17 years later, Jason’s passion for helping others through the power of sport still burns bright, and he feels deeply grateful to live his dream job every day. Through his dynamic leadership, Jason has guided AFH into a position as a global sports philanthropy leader.
Jason coaches cross country and track at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and serves on the boards of Hope for Henry and Suburban Hospital. He is also the author of two children’s books, Little Moments, inspired by his children, and King of the Couch, inspired by his dog. Jason is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education.
Ivan Blumberg
Founding CEO Emeritus
Ivan currently serves as a strategic advisor to Athletes for Hope and is the organization’s Founding CEO, serving in the position from 2006 to 2021.
Prior to AFH, Ivan represented athletes for the majority of his career including clients such as Arthur Ashe and Andre Agassi. He is a 1980 graduate of Hobart College and a 1983 graduate of Washington University School of Law. Outside of AFH, Ivan is involved in a variety of charitable organizations in the Washington, D.C.-area.
Chris Wyttenbach
Chief Program Officer
As the Chief Program Officer at Athletes for Hope (AFH), Chris oversees the creation and implementation of core AFH programs and the network of AFH members. He has proudly facilitated the charitable involvement of hundreds of athletes as they make a substantial social impact in the communities and with the causes that are most important to them.
Prior to Athletes for Hope, Chris had the privilege to learn and serve via his time with several service-based organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the YMCA, and the United States Peace Corps. Originally from Wisconsin, Chris currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife and three children.
Mena Mirhom, MD, FAPA
Chief Wellbeing Officer
Mena is a board-certified psychiatrist with a strong commitment to enhancing the mental health and well-being of athletes while also using sports as a platform for community service.
In addition to his clinical work, Mena is a Columbia-trained psychiatrist and a faculty member at Columbia University, where he educates psychiatrists on effectively communicating mental health information through the media to better inform and educate the public. He also serves as a consultant for the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), providing expert guidance on mental health issues facing professional athletes.
Beyond his work with athletes, Mena is a recognized speaker, author, educator, and on air media contributor.
At Athletes for Hope, Mena is dedicated to advancing wellbeing initiatives that empower athletes at every level through education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships.
Diana Venezia
Director of Development
Diana serves as the critical point person in driving, shaping, and diversifying Athletes for Hope’s fundraising activities for the general organization and its growing initiatives. Diana joined AFH in December 2022 and is committed to helping improve communities and the lives of others through inclusive philanthropy, especially when utilizing the power of sports. Most recently, Diana served as the Vice President of Development at Philadelphia Youth Basketball, a start-up sport-based youth-serving nonprofit.
Originally from New Jersey, Diana graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2014, where she was a member of the Women’s Basketball team. She received her master’s degree in Sport Business from Temple University in 2017.
Kylie Barlowe
Director of Partnerships & Digital Strategy
Kylie (Reeves) Barlowe manages marketing and activation partnerships, oversees digital and social media execution and is responsible for leading strategy across the organization’s digital ecosystem. Kylie joined AFH in February 2021 and brings a deep level of passion and unique experience to the position, having experienced a variety of media and marketing roles in the sports, healthcare and non-profit worlds.
Originally from North Carolina, Kylie was a member of the Women’s Soccer team at Haverford College and graduated with a degree in Economics in 2014.
Connect with Kylie on LinkedIn.
Sara Keane
Assistant Director, AFH University
Sara serves as the Assistant Director of the AFH University program, which educates college athletes about smart philanthropy and connects them to charitable opportunities across various communities. Sara joined AFH U in July 2022 and is passionate about fundraising, event planning, and assisting college athletes find what they are passionate about.
Prior to joining Athletes for Hope, Sara worked in the nonprofit world as a development associate and event coordinator. Sara’s passion for development came from volunteering for local mental health organizations in the Philadelphia community. Originally from New Jersey, Sara was a member of the Women’s Soccer team at West Virginia University from 2009-2013 and graduated with a degree in Sport Management, followed by a masters in Higher Education Administration.
Kenya Warren-Hollins, MPA
Program Manager, AFH University
Kenya works closely with college athletes in her role with the AFH University Program. As Program Manager, Kenya helps LSU & Southern University varsity athletes discover and connect with charitable opportunities in the Baton Rouge community.
Prior to joining Athletes for Hope, Kenya has been committed to public service as she serves as a regional recruitment manager for City Year. Kenya graduated from Southern University and A&M College with a bachelor in biological sciences and a master of public administration. Her passion for service began during her reign as Miss Southern University 2010-2011. She served as Executive Director of Up ‘Til Dawn, a St. Jude Children’s Hospital collegiate fundraising endeavor and a Girl Scouts outreach leader.
Joy Le Couteur
Athlete Manager
Joy serves as the Athlete Manager for Athletes for Hope and focuses on developing and enhancing relationships with professional, Olympic, and college athletes, and inspiring them to engage in charitable opportunities. Joy joined AFH in August of 2022 and is passionate about people and utilizing sports to make our communities better.
Prior to joining Athletes for Hope, Joy played Division 1 NCAA Basketball at Arizona State University, earning her Bachelors degree in Business Marketing and Masters degree in Communication. Joy’s professional career consists of six seasons of professional basketball in Europe and Australia. Joy has also represented her national team—Chinese Taipei in the 2015 and 2017 FIBA Asia Championships as well as the 2018 Asian Games. As a Nike athlete, Joy had the opportunity to be the face of a Nike Women Campaign in 2019, empowering women across Asia. Joy’s passion for sports philanthropy spans internationally through volunteering at orphanages in China, conducting life skills workshops for college students in Bhutan, offering educational scholarships for kids in remote and underprivileged areas in the Philippines, and creating mentorship programs for youth at risk in Australia.
Bella Anita Vargas
Digital Media Manager
Bella recently earned her Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin, specializing in Administrative and Policy Practice. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Leadership from UT Austin, where she served as Co-President of RGV Familia, LILI, and UT Longhorn Powerlifting. As a competitive powerlifter known for her signature “Fear the Bow” glittery cheer bows, Bella brings a unique and energetic presence to every event.
Bella is dedicated to authentically sharing athletes’ stories and believes in empowering them to reveal their true selves. She is passionate about advocacy, enhancing athletes’ self-efficacy, and supporting mental health. In her role as Digital Media Manager, Bella is excited to highlight athletes’ achievements and contribute to building the brand identity of Athletes for Hope.
Mina Marie Anglero
Whole Being Athlete Manager
Mina is passionate about supporting athletes’ holistic well-being through community engagement, health advocacy, and creating safe spaces where athletes can connect, share experiences, and receive the support they need.
As a former D1 NCAA track and field athlete at the University of California, Berkeley, where she took her B.A. and M.A., Mina’s dedication to sports and community involvement is rooted in her own experiences. She has represented Team Norway in basketball and track and field, using her international athletic background to inspire resilience, courage, and a focus on well-being in others.
Mina also serves as a Whole Being Athlete Ambassador for AFH, engaging in community events, and collaborating with other athlete ambassadors to raise awareness about athletes’ health and well-being. Whether through her advocacy work with AFH or her coaching and mentoring roles, Mina is dedicated to helping athletes reach their full potential and find their harmony.
Kendra (Chambers) Coleman
CHAMPS Program Manager
Kendra (Chambers) Coleman is the CHAMPS Program Manager at Athletes for Hope. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she was an 8x All-American and a 4x Big 12 Champion. After college, Kendra pursued a professional track career as a 400 and 800-meter athlete. She qualified for the U.S. National Championships almost every year from 2015-2024 and was a semi-finalist in the 800 meters at both the 2016 and the 2024 U.S. Olympics Trials. She was a part of Team USA in the 2016 World Indoor Championships and the 2017 World Relays as well as several Penn Relays (USA vs. The World). Kendra sits as an officer on the USATF Athletes Commission as the Director of Athlete Services and she is the Assistant Track and Field Coach at the University of St. Thomas.
Marta Ribeiro
Graphic Design Consultant
Marta is a freelance graphic/web designer with over 20 years of experience. Passionate in her work, she creates well organized, beautiful visuals that communicate clearly and effectively. She has been involved with Athletes for Hope since its founding in 2007, having designed their logo, and has since continued her involvement through a variety of design projects.
Marta enjoys long distance running in her spare time & firmly believes in the power of sport to unite and inspire. She graduated from the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design (B.F.A. in Graphic Design).
YY Yiljep
American University Campus Consultant
YY Yiljep is the Senior Counselor for Student-Athlete Development and Leadership at American University, where he provides academic support to the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams. Since joining AU in 2021, he has also served as an adjunct professor and oversees the Stephanie M. Bennett-Smith Life Skills & Leadership Academy for student-athletes.
Before AU, YY worked at Marymount University, where he was Case Manager and Manager of Wellness, Prevention, and Education, designing holistic wellness programs for students. He holds two master’s degrees from AU in Sports Analytics and Management (2020) and Marketing (2019), as well as a B.S. in Business Administration (2017). YY also played for AU’s Men’s Basketball team from 2013-2020.
Cole Eggleston
Intern
Cole is an AFH Summer-Fall intern, specializing in public health. He is entering his second year of the Master’s in Public Health program at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on Health Education and Health Communication. Cole graduated from Vassar College with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Mathematics. He is eager to leverage the skills he has acquired at Johns Hopkins to evaluate and enhance health programs. Cole is enthusiastic about refining his communication and leadership abilities, honed as the captain of Vassar’s Baseball team. As a graduate student, he now plays for the Johns Hopkins Baseball team. Over the summers, Cole has coached at a baseball academy and a college summer team, where he aims to promote positive health and mental health messaging.
Ryan Harris
Davidson College Campus Liaison
Ryan Harris is a junior at Davidson College, where he is pursuing a degree in Psychology and competes as a member of the Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field team. Originally from Portsmouth, Virginia, Ryan’s lifelong passion for sports is rooted in his commitment to health and well-being. He has worked with nonprofits focused on mental health advocacy and education and is dedicated to ensuring that mental health is valued by all. In his free time, Ryan enjoys hiking, biking, beach trips, and traveling with family and friends.
Anna Gill
Georgetown University Campus Liaison
Anna Gill is a dedicated student-athlete at Georgetown University, studying International Politics with a minor in Spanish. As a D1 field hockey player, she brings a strong work ethic, resilience, and a passion for teamwork to every aspect of her life. Anna actively engages in campus leadership through Georgetown’s Women’s Athlete Leadership Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where she promotes collaboration, mentorship, and positive impact. In her free time, she likes to cook and bake, hike with her friends, and play golf and tennis. Her background in high-performance athletics and dedication to using sports as a platform for change make her a strong advocate for community-focused initiatives that leverage sports for social good.
Thelma Davies
Louisiana State University Campus Liaison
Thelma Davies, a recent graduate of Louisiana State University (LSU), is an accomplished student-athlete. With a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a concentration in Physical Activity and Health, she has excelled as a sprinter and earned multiple All-American titles. Thelma’s dedication and resilience are truly inspiring, and she has also demonstrated her commitment to advocating for her peers as a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Additionally, she serves as a coach, motivating young athletes to achieve success in the sport of track and field. Thelma’s achievements, including being the flag bearer for Liberia at the 2024 Olympics, are a testament to her outstanding character and abilities.
Agi Mboob
Bowie State University Campus Liaison
Agi Mboob is a former student-athlete who competed in track at Bowie State University during her undergraduate studies. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Communication. Now in her second year with AFHU, Agi is passionate about motivating others and working collaboratively toward meaningful goals. She finds immense joy in this work and is driven by the rewarding outcomes it creates.
Ashante Gatlin
Southern University Campus Liaison
Ashante has been an intern with Athletes for Hope U since January 2023 and is passionate about service, helping her fellow student-athletes give back to their communities.
From 2020 to 2024, Ashante was a member of the Women’s Soccer team at Southern University, where she will graduate in Spring 2025 with dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Sociology. Originally from San Diego, California, her commitment to community service began through volunteering with her youth group, local food banks, and her club soccer team. Her favorite experiences as an AFH U intern include assembling food boxes at the Baton Rouge Food Bank and volunteering with children at the Key Academy.