ASSOCIATE BOARD

Joe French

Avison Young, U.S. Capital Markets Group

Hometown: Cockeysville, MD

Education:
HS: Friends School of Baltimore (Class of 2012)
College: University of Virginia - B.A. Economics (Class of 2016)

Played lacrosse: University of Virginia

Why she became a part of the WINNERS Junior Board: “To grow the game of lacrosse in the underserved communities of Washington D.C., and improve diversity and representation in a game that has been dominated by white student athletes for far too long.”

Max Planning

Newmark, Associate

Hometown: Syracuse, NY

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

Education:
HS: Gonzaga College High School (Class of 2013)
College: University of Denver - B.A. Communications (Class of 2017)

Played lacrosse: University of Denver (2013 - 2017)

Other relevant involvement in lacrosse programs: Past summer coach during college for Denver Elite and Volunteer at Denver City Lax.

Why he became a part of the WINNERS Junior Board: “To grow the game of lacrosse locally and nationally and help put a lacrosse stick in every kid’s hands who has not been exposed to the sport, promote inclusivity in the sport of lacrosse, and be a mentor for a younger generation.”

Henry Vido

Cushman & Wakefield, Associate, Capital Markets

Hometown: Bel Air, MD

Education:
HS: Calvert Hall College High School (Class of 2014)
College: Lafayette College – B.A. Government and Law (Class of 2018) 

Where you played lacrosse: Lafayette College (2014-2018)

Why he became a part of the WINNERS Junior Board: “To help the sport reach underserved communities, help children achieve their academic and athletic goals, and inspire a new generation of lacrosse players in the DC area.”

Ella Cooper

Cushman & Wakefield, Senior Associate

Hometown: Cockeysville, MD

Education:
HS: Friends School of Baltimore (Class of 2012)
College: University of Virginia - B.A. Economics (Class of 2016)

Played lacrosse: University of Virginia

Why she became a part of the WINNERS Junior Board: “To grow the game of lacrosse in the underserved communities of Washington D.C., and improve diversity and representation in a game that has been dominated by white student athletes for far too long.”

Nick Fields

Newmark, Law Firm Advisory Services Group, Associate

Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD

Education:
HS: Bullis School (Class of 2013)
College: Johns Hopkins University (B.A Economics, Class of 2017)

Where you played lacrosse: Johns Hopkins University (2013-2017), Major League Lacrosse: Ohio Machine

Why he became a part of the WINNERS Junior Board: “To promote diversity and inclusion in the game of lacrosse here in the DC area as well as nationally. Growing up, there were few coaches, mentors, and players around the sport that looked like me. It’s my goal to extend the visibility of the game to more diverse communities where the game of lacrosse is less visible. I also want to give back to the game that has helped me develop not just athletically on the field, but both personally and professionally.”

Isaiah Davis-Allen

Buch Construction, Project Manager

Hometown: Springfield, Virginia

Education:
HS: St. Stephens & St. Agnes School (Class of 2013)
College: University of Maryland, College Park (Class of 2017)

Played lacrosse: University of Maryland, Chesapeake Bayhawks (MLL), Philadelphia Wings (NLL)

Other relevant involvement in lacrosse programs: Nations United Coach, Member of the Black Lacrosse Alliance (BLA), Assistant Coach for Blackwolf Lacrosse, and PG Pride/PGLC Lacrosse Coach (2013-2018).

Why he became a part of the WINNERS Junior Board: “Promote diversity in the sport of lacrosse, mentor children that look like myself, and leverage my experience and connections to give the players of WINNERS the best opportunity to achieve their goals.”

James Bull

Okta, Inc., Corporate Account Executive

Hometown: Woodbridge, VA

Education:
HS: St. Stephens & St. Agnes School (Class of 2013)
College: University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2013-2014)
College: University of Maryland, College Park (Class of 2017)

Played lacrosse: UMBC and University of Maryland

Other relevant involvement in lacrosse programs: Coached Prince George’s Lacrosse Club (2016-2018) and Assistant Coach for Blackwolf Lacrosse.

Why he became a part of the WINNERS Junior Board: “Build a foundation of lacrosse throughout the DC community by making it accessible to all within the city and provide the younger generation mentoring and the opportunity to develop their lacrosse skills and network throughout the area.”

Thomas Farrell

Walker & Dunlop, Asset Manager

Hometown: Bethesda, MD

Education:
HS: Gonzaga College High School (Class of 2013) College: Denison University (Class of 2017)

Where you played lacrosse: Denison University (2013-2017)

Why he became a part of the WINNERS Junior Board: "Lacrosse provided me a great avenue and enabled me to learn life skills, gain an advanced education, and build/develop lifelong relationships. I joined WINNERS lacrosse to promote those experiences in hopes of being able to give every girl and boy who is involved in the program those same opportunities."

Margaret Smith

Department of Defense, Program Analyst

Navy Reserve, Ensign

Hometown: Bowie, MD

Education:

High School: Mount de Sales (Class of 2015) College: University of Pennsylvania — B.A. International Relations (Class 2019)

Where you played lacrosse: Goalie at University of Pennsylvania

Other relevant involvement in lacrosse programs: Head Coach for the University of Pennsylvania’s Netter Center’s Young Quakers Program. The after-school program empowered middle school students to explore athletics while learning to better navigate their academics.

Why she became a part of WINNERS Junior Board: “The four years I spent as a coach with the Young Quakers Program and University of Pennsylvania were the most fulfilling a rewarding experiences and I am looking forward to continuing that with WINNERS!”

Alex Mezey

Hoffman & Associates, Finance Associate

Hometown: Berwyn, PA

Education:
High School: Conestoga High School (Class of 2014) College: Lafayette College — B.A. Economics (Class of 2018) Grad: Georgetown University — Master’s Real Estate Finance

Where you played lacrosse: Lafayette College (2014-2018)

Other relevant involvement in lacrosse programs: Involved with the Bobby Campbell Lacrosse Foundation/Trenton Bridge, Coached TEN Lacrosse and Bethesda Lacrosse Club

Why he became a part of the WINNERS Junior Board: “Throughout my playing and coaching careers, I have witnessed the profound impacts of the sport of lacrosse can have on others, well beyond the playing field. I joined WINNERS to ensure all young men and women are also provided the same opportunity to find love for the game of lacrosse, and more importantly, develop lifelong skills while surrounded by a supportive network.”

Mackey Merrill

FD Stonewater, Investment Associate 

Hometown: Fairway, KS

Education: 
HS: Bishop Miege High School (Class of 2014); Avon Old Farms (Class of 2015)
College: Georgetown University (Class of 2019)

Where you played lacrosse: Georgetown University (2015-2019)

Other relevant involvement in lacrosse programs: Involved in the Lacrosse Association of Kansas City, and Bishop Miege High School Lacrosse

Why he became part of the WINNERS Junior Board: "Over the course of my life, lacrosse has presented me with invaluable lessons and opportunities. Having grown up in a non-traditional lacrosse region, I understand the difficulties of getting involved in a sport that has historically been insulated to a few communities. WINNERS Lacrosse is an amazing program that promotes the growth of lacrosse among diverse backgrounds, who otherwise may not have access to the game. More importantly, the program provides underserved communities with the resources and mentorship needed to develop the next generation of athletes."