Executive Board Of Directors

Claudia was the 16-and-under Orange Bowl champion in 1982 and made the girls' singles quarter-finals of the 1983 US Open. As a Pan American Games competitor for Mexico she won two Women's Doubles bronze medals, in 1983 and 1987. 

In 1999 Claudia was awarded the Sportswoman of the Century Award in tennis, in the state of Jalisco. In 1984 she became the first international tennis player to receive a full 4-year scholarship to play for the University of Southern California USC Tennis Team.

In 2005 Claudia participated in the Consulting Board of the newspaper “Mural” in Jalisco, Mexico. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Rafael Osuna Sports Foundation. 

Rafael is the Chairman of the Board of Directors Mexican Tennis Hall of Fame and the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Rafael Osuna Sports Foundation. His tennis accomplishments include Mexican National Open Champion Doubles in 1981, Rolex International Doubles Champion 18-and-under in 1981, Casablanca Grade A World Doubles Champion 18-and-under in 1980 and 1981, USA Interscholastic Champions Team and Doubles in 1981, California Interscholastic Champion Team in 1981 and 1982, and individual doubles 1981 and 1982. 

Charlie M. Pasarell Jr. brought his passion, integrity and determination to the sport of tennis for nearly five decades; as a top amateur, professional player, founder and elected representative with the Association of Tennis Professionals (1971-2009), a philanthropist and as the Tournament Director, Chairman and former owner of the BNP Paribas Open.

In 1969 Charlie along with his good friend Arthur Ashe and Sheridan Snyder founded the National Junior tennis League (NJTL) to provide inner-city and underserved children with the opportunity to be exposed to tennis. This continues throughout the country with over 950 chapters, sharing tennis with over 275,000 children each year. 

Charlie was ranked No.1 in the U.S. in 1967 and was top 10 in the world eleven times. He holds 18 Singles titles, numerous doubles titles and was an NCAA Singles & Doubles Champion in 1966 at UCLA. In 1969 Charlie Pasarell’s name was etched in Wimbledon history for playing the longest match against Pancho Gonzales, finally losing after 5 hours and two days.

As the crowning glory in his career, Charlie was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013. He is also a member of the 2012 UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame, Puerto Rico Sports Hall of Fame and the Southern California Hall of Fame.

Lornie found great success on the tennis court growing up, placing 3rd in the Illinois State High School Championships in 1962 before going on to help his team at Pan American University win the NAIA National Team Championships in 1964 and 1965. At one point, Kuhle was ranked in the top 10 in US Men’s Doubles as well as winning the USTA Father/Daughter Championships in 2004. 

Perhaps most famously, Kuhle was the coach and manager for Bobby Riggs during the Battle of the Sexes in 1973. He became the Tennis Director at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and held that position for 45 years. In recent years, Kuhle acquired the Easter Bowl, the “Super Bowl” of Junior Tennis, as well as being named by the USTA as Tournament Director of the USTA Billie Jean King Girls National Championships. Kuhle opened and developed the Bobby Riggs Tennis Club and Museum in Encinitas, California in 1995 and resides in San Diego where he continues to be involved in multiple tennis projects. 

Claudia Romo Edelman is social entrepreneur, global activist, and inspirational speaker. She is the Founder and CEO of We Are All Human and Hispanic Star, a nonprofit partnering with over 300 companies and 100 Hispanic organizations to elevate the U.S. Latino narrative. She also hosts A LA LATINA podcast, focused on accelerating Latina careers in Corporate America.

She has led marketing, communications, and PR efforts for the United Nations, UNICEF, the Global Fund, and UNHCR, working with the private sector, creative industries, and technology leaders. She played a key role in launching the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG Lions at Cannes, and (Product) RED.

A thought leader and key influencer, Claudia is a credible voice for Latinos, women, corporate America, and the media. She is an awareness builder and a champion of breaking stereotypes, ensuring that Latinos are recognized as an economic and cultural force.

A renowned speaker, Claudia has delivered inspirational talks at Google, Amazon, P&G, Unilever, Chobani, and S&P and served as a commencement speaker at leading academic institutions.

As an author and columnist, she has published eight bilingual children's books with MacMillan and five books on Hispanic-related topics.

Named one of TIME Magazine’s Top 17 Latino Leaders of 2024, she is a World Economic Forum civil society participant and has received numerous honors, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, ALPFA’s 50 Most Powerful Latinas, People Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Latinas, and Mexicanos Distinguidos.

She serves on the boards of Harvard David Rockefeller Latin America Center and American Friends of the Latino Museum and is launching a family business in Sotol.

Claudia holds a Master’s degree in Political Communication from the London School of Economics, speaks six languages, and enjoys sports with her husband and time with her two children.

 Associate Head Coach, University of Virginia, Women's Tennis 

" Founder, Soles Served "

 Growing up in Maracay, Venezuela, Gina Suarez-Malaguti's journey from tennis prodigy to celebrated coach embodies the transformative power of opportunity. At 13, she relocated to the United States with her mother, whose belief in Gina's potential led to a scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill. There, Gina distinguished herself as the 2013 ACC Player of the Year and an All-American, reaching a career-high singles ranking of No. 4.  Since joining UVA's coaching staff in 2017, Gina has been named ITA Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year four times, guiding the Cavaliers to unprecedented success, including their first-ever No. 1 national ranking.  Reflecting on her path, Gina founded Soles Served to provide tennis shoes to children in Venezuela, ensuring that young dreamers have the foundation to pursue their passion—just as she once did.  The program has grown quickly to include servind those in the US and beyond. 

I grew up in Southern California, and as the child of The Chief, I played the tennis circuit up and down the coast.  I earned a tennis scholarship to Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth Texas 1981-1985, graduating with a BS in Criminal Justice.  I married in 1986, and after a short career as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Dallas County, decided to teach tennis at a local club in Plano, Texas.  A few years later I was helping in my husband’s dental practice and that continued throughout his career, until 2010.  I have been a flight attendant for 30+ years for Southwest Airlines, but currently only fly a handful of days per month.  After my husband retired, we moved to the island of Maui, where I became a Realtor in 2020, hanging my license with Coldwell Banker Island Properties.

Throughout my life my father has been a guiding force.  I have been married for 37 years, raised 2 children, and cared for my father through his illness and passing.  I am currently working on his biography because I feel his life story is one which needs telling.  His life is truly astonishing, coming from a poor family, he persevered as a Latin American from Arequipa, Peru, making history in the international tennis community.    He always sought to encourage people to play tennis for health and lifetime enjoyment.  Years prior to his illness and sudden passing (glioblastoma), I started recording interviews and documenting stories with my father.  I had his blessing to write his life story, which he thought was a miracle.  Currently my husband is retired, and I am part-time flying for Southwest Airlines Co. and part-time selling real estate on Maui, and fully committed to documenting my father’s legacy and sharing with the tennis community.  It would be an honor to be a part of and contribute to the work of the Latin American Tennis Foundation.

Sincerely,

Angie Olmedo-Williams 

 Esther Avila-Hendershott is a respected leader in the tennis community, known for her pioneering efforts and unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity within the sport. As the first Latina to lead the USTA So Cal’s Community Tennis and DE&I initiatives, she has emerged as a trailblazer, setting a precedent for diversity and excellence in tennis leadership.  In her capacity as Director of Community and DE&I, Ms. Avila-Hendershott is instrumental in implementing programs that break down barriers to access and promote diversity within tennis. Her leadership extends beyond organizational boundaries, as she actively engages with grassroots organizations and advocates for underrepresented communities, including African American, Asian, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ groups.  Prior to her role at USTA, Ms. Avila-Hendershott founded the Pasadena Tennis Association—a non-profit organization offering year-round tennis classes and summer camps. Partnering with the Pasadena Unified School District and Pasadena Educational Foundation, the association provides opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to engage with the sport.  Additionally, Ms. Avila-Hendershott sits on several non-profit boards and committees, including Chairman of the USTA SoCal DE&I Committee. Her dedication to making tennis accessible to diverse and underserved communities has been recognized with awards such as the prestigious Eugene Jung Award.  A resident of Pasadena and a mother of three, Ms. Avila-Hendershott embodies the values of leadership, community, and excellence, both on and off the court. Her impactful contributions continue to inspire positive change and pave the way for a more inclusive future in tennis. 

 A lifelong tennis enthusiast, Gabriella Albo turned her passion for the sport into a successful collegiate career at Florida State University, where she earned her B.S. in Sport Management while competing at the top of the tennis lineup. Her team made history by reaching the NCAA Elite 8 in 2018. After earning her Master's in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma, she served as USTA Manager for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, organizing community events focused on underrepresented groups. The Cuban-American entrepreneur now runs VAM Designs in Orlando, creating branding solutions for small businesses and nonprofits. 

John Wilkins is considered one of the world’s leading tennis coaches and founded SpotSports® in 2006. His love for the game developed at the age of 13, where he was trained and became the #1 pro player in St. Thomas and throughout the Virgin Islands. John was top-ranked in the Caribbean and competed on the ATP Professional Tour. John represented the Virgin Islands both in National and International events and competed on the ATP Tour and held a Top 3 ranking in the Caribbean.

Using his SpotSports® patented Signal Detection training system, he guides players to state, national and international championships, including Davis Cup. John was the youngest coach in NJCAA history to sweep a National championship with 7 National Champions and 9 All Americans. He was also a former Davis Cup Captain for the US Virgin Islands. Coach John believes in giving back to his home community and provides free tennis programs in the Virgin Islands, throughout the Caribbean, and in Latin America in his mission to "bring tennis to everyone."

 Excellence-driven executive, deeply committed to creating social change through innovation, cultural relevance and authenticity.
Proven thought leader and advisor to brands, creatives, studios and networks, such as Disney, ABC, Endeavor, Nickelodeon, PBS, STARZ, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Focus Features, 20th Century FOX and FX.

BOARD EXPERIENCE
• Vidiots, 2022 - Present
• City Year Los Angeles, 2018 - Present
• Diverse Women In Media Advisory Board, National Association of Independent Latino Producers (NALIP), 2016 - Present

EDUCATION
Juris Doctor in Entertainment Law – Seattle University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric – University of California, Berkeley

 A WINNER ON COURT AND OFF 

 Throughout her high school years, Raquel Giscafré would catch a bus every Friday night from her hometown in Argentina, ride in the dark all night to a tennis tournament in Buenos Aires, play Saturday and Sunday and return just in time for school Monday morning. She admits her dedication to tennis didn’t leave much time for a social life.

But she soon learned that hard work paid off in other ways. At the age of 16 she traveled to Europe where she reached the semi-finals and finals of the French Open and Wimbledon’s Junior Championships. She continued playing as the South American Junior Champion for the next three years and was ranked the number one female player in Argentina from 1973-77. Winner of the South American Cup four times in a row, she went on to play professionally around the world, participating in all the major Grand Slam events – even defeating Martina Navratilova during the winter of 1975 (a feat that probably no other tennis promoter can claim). Raquel also made the French Open semi-finals in both singles and doubles, and in 1974 partnered with Navratilova in the U.S. Open Doubles.

Raquel recognized early on that if women were going to be taken seriously in the tennis world, they really needed to make the game their own. So, along with fellow player Billie Jean King, she became a founding member of the Women’s Tennis Association, the first independent women’s tennis tour.

“Before the WTA, women were basically relegated to playing second string in men’s tournaments,” says Raquel “and that just never gave us the recognition – or the money – that we deserved.

In the ’70s, very few women got rich playing tennis. So when she left the professional tennis court in 1977, Raquel, like most of her peers, realized she needed to find a new career. She notes:

“For me it was really a survival thing. I knew I had to do something to earn a living, and even though I was through playing tennis professionally, I wanted to stay in the game, so I decided to promote tournaments.”

Raquel began by promoting local events in her home country of Argentina, where she was a well-known figure – a fact she says helped her obtain corporate sponsors and get publicity for the tournaments.

“When I started promoting tennis, I really knew nothing about business or public relations. My advantages were that I really loved the game, I was recognized by many business executives, and I wanted to help young players pursue their own dreams. It also helped that I wasn’t afraid of hard work. So I really learned all the basics by just doing everything myself.”

The very first tennis tournament that Raquel promoted in Argentina – a men’s and women’s event – turned out to be a financial and popular success. It was also the last tournament in which Rene Richards played legally as a woman.

“After that first tournament, I just kept on promoting events in Argentina until the economy there really sunk,” says Raquel. “So I packed up and moved to the U.S., where Jane Stratton and I started Promotion Sports.”

Raquel and Jane have since built Promotion Sports, Inc. into one of the world’s most successful women’s tennis promotion companies. But with all her accomplishments on the court and off, the thing that makes Raquel most proud is the fact that she’s been able to raise the popularity of women’s tennis, giving young players the opportunity to excel – and enjoy careers that are just as rewarding as the men’s.

 Gustavo Granitto is the founder of GTC Tennis Academy & Consultancy Inc (2005). He designs and supervises the operations of the integrated program of each player of the Academy from High Performance, (full/part-time player boarding/non-boarding with schooling), to Recreational Tennis & Development Program. Players from everywhere request to attend GTC due its individualized attention. The overall program has the legacy of producing ATP/WTA Players, Davis Cup & Fed Cup Players, winners of Grand Slams Juniors, Group A, and JTIC as well. Also, the Academy’s players have achieved full scholarships in the most prominent colleges in the US.  Gustavo provides advice regarding Parents Orientation, Tournament calendar, Traveling team junior/professional circuit, College Placement, transitional to pro career, player management, and coaching education.  His passion for coaching started young, running his tennis academy in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1978-91), Some of his students (like Sebastian Prieto, Del Potro’s coach), were national champions, professionals and Davis Cup players. Victor Estrella, Ryan Sweeting, Young Seok Kim, Jose Hernandez, Victoria Rodriguez, Marcelo Arevalo, Rafael Arevalo, Jaime Cuellar, Alex Llompart, Jose Velazco, Niluka Madurawe, Maria Olivia Castedo, among other players were influenced by Gustavo’s philosophy and coaching method. Currently, he manages Genaro Olivieri tennis career, the best Argentinean player 20 & Under (without ATP points in December 2016-ATP #495 in September 2017).  http://gtctennis.com 

 Nicolás Pereira is a former professional tennis player from Venezuela. After his playing days he combined his experience and people skills to forge a career in broadcasting that has lasted for more than 2 decades. He worked at ESPN for 20 years and currently is a Tennis Channel analyst covering the sport year round. He lives in Miami, Florida where he owns and operates Lighthouse Events, a company that specializes in sports productions and is a widely respected advisor and consultant in the tennis industry. Nicolás serves in the Tennis Hall of Fame Selection Committee and is a member of the ATP Player Council. 

 Micky was appointed as President of the WTA in October 2014. She brings close to three decades of sports and entertainment expertise to the organization, during which time she has played an important role in strengthening the geographic footprint and commercial value of women's tennis. During her tenure, she has propelled growth in all aspects of the tennis business across athletes, events, sponsorship sales and consultancy by leading various campaigns designed to further champion women and female athletes.  

 Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lawler activated new opportunities to accelerate the WTA’s commercial investments, including the largest title sponsorship in WTA History with medical technology company, Hologic, new financial services, mental health and wearables partnerships, and welcoming the WTA’s first authorized gaming operator. Advocating for the future of the sport, Lawler has provided strong strategic leadership, spearheading the WTA’s broadcast, streaming, and data asset agreements, as well as driving unprecedented collaborations with the ATP in support of a more unified tennis fan experience. Such recent milestones include a complete rebranding of the WTA, the launch of an integrated marketing team with the ATP, the debut of a joint live tennis app, an innovative six-year data rights partnership, and most recently the debut of Netflix’s Break Point series in 2023, which reached Top 10 status in 28 countries and has announced a second season.  

Prior to her role as president, Micky led significant contributions to the sport during her 11 years as a WTA Board member and 27 years as a leader of tennis with Octagon. Prior to joining Octagon, Lawler began her sports career in communications at the Men’s International Professional Tennis Council, the predecessor to the ATP World Tour.