US Sports Camps Women's Spotlight

Michelle Carter

Michelle Carter knows what it’s like to be underestimated. Before she made history as the first U.S. woman to win Olympic gold in shot put, she was told it was impossible. “A coach laughed at me,” she recalls. “He said, ‘No women would ever win in our lifetime.’” But Michelle didn’t let others define her potential—she proved them wrong. Her victory in 2016 wasn’t just about breaking records; it was about breaking barriers for American women in the sport.

Michelle is on a mission to help young female athletes believe in themselves the way she believed in herself. Through her You Throw Girl Track & Field Camp with US Sports Camps, she empowers girls to embrace their strength, refine their skills, and develop the confidence to push past the limits others try to impose. “Sometimes your dreams and vision are bigger than what people can see,” she says. “The good thing is, you get to change people’s minds when you do what they think is impossible.”

For Michelle, success wasn’t just about physical strength—it was about showing up as her full, authentic self. “There were times I was told I was doing too much,” she says. “So, I dimmed my light, and it was the worst thing I could’ve done. Then I asked myself, ‘Why am I so worried about making other people feel comfortable?’ I just have to be me.” Embracing her confidence—whether that meant competing with her nails done, lashes popping, and lip gloss shining—helped her push past limits and own her greatness. Now, she’s inspiring the next generation to do the same, proving that true strength comes from being unapologetically yourself.

Register for Michelle's You Throw Girl Track & Field Camp below!

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Ashley Preston

Ashley Preston, Camp Director of the University of New Orleans Volleyball Camp, played volleyball at Morgan State University before transitioning into coaching. Her journey took her through multiple coaching roles, including positions at Spelman College and Coppin State University before she became the first Black female head volleyball coach at Cal State Fullerton. She was named Co-Big West Coach of the Year in 2019.

Ashley speaks passionately about the need for young girls and women to gain confidence from within, stating, “The biggest lie women believe is that their value comes from external validation rather than from within.” She gives examples from her own life, sharing, “When I went 0-28 my first year, I felt like I had failed. People doubted me, saying, ‘She sucks. She shouldn’t be there.’ I had to learn to block that out and listen to my own voice... I had to learn to trust myself.”

When asked about her coaching philosophy, Ashley thinks back to what kind of coach she needed as an athlete. “I tell my young women: ‘You are capable and deserving.’ I want to empower them, not just externally, but internally. My purpose is to help women be the heroes of their own stories. My vision is to create a culture where they can flourish and grow.” Throughout her career, she has worked to amplify diversity in volleyball, ensuring young Black women see themselves in coaching roles.

Register for Ashley's University of New Orleans Volleyball Camp below!

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Brandy Maben

Brandy Maben, a former captain of the University of Arizona’s national championship team and an All-American swimmer, has built her coaching philosophy around education, personal growth, and the power of ambitious dreams. She believes that success begins with visualization, telling her athletes, “If you can’t imagine your dreams, then they’ll never come to life.” While swimming is often seen as an individual sport, she has always valued the importance of teamwork and strives to instill that mindset in her athletes. Brandy’s journey from elite swimmer to coach has been shaped by both triumphs and hardships, and she is determined to use her experiences to support the next generation of athletes.

During her junior year, Brandy’s Olympic aspirations were within reach—until she learned that her back was broken in ten places. Despite the immense physical pain, she continued to lead her team, but the response from her coaches made the experience even more challenging. “I was captain of a nationally ranked team, and it brought pressures of scrutiny from my coaches questioning my mental strength, especially with the Olympic season approaching. They questioned all of my efforts.” The stigma around asking for help in athletics left her feeling isolated, something she now works to change as a coach. “I wish I had been supported enough to not feel like utilizing resources was a weakness. It was almost frowned upon to use them too much, as if you weren’t strong enough to get through it.” Brandy’s experiences have fueled her empathetic approach to coaching, ensuring that her athletes never feel the same pressure to struggle alone.

Brandy is also a passionate advocate for increasing female representation in sports leadership, pushing back against outdated biases that limit women’s opportunities. “I was actually told by an athletic director, ‘I've never seen a woman coach a men’s team successfully.’” Instead of backing down, she challenged the double standard. “Why can men coach women, but women can’t coach men?” Brandy believes that having more women in coaching roles can foster a healthier and more open environment for athletes, particularly in vulnerable moments. “Having more women coaching alongside men can really open the door for more vulnerability for athletes.” She hopes to see a future where female coaches are not only accepted but expected in leadership roles, paving the way for a more inclusive sports world.

Register for Brandy's Arizona Swim Camp below!

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Siera Love

Siera Love, Chief Operating Officer at US Sports Camps, has built a career fueled by her passion for sports and the invaluable lessons she learned as an athlete. "Sports taught me how to be a great team player and leader, while also building my confidence, commitment, and strong work ethic," she says. While she never envisioned herself working in the camp industry, she found that it blended all her passions into one. Now, she is dedicated to creating opportunities for young athletes and ensuring that more women step into leadership roles in sports.

Despite working in a male-dominated industry, Siera considers imposter syndrome to be her biggest challenge rather than external barriers. “A lot of women feel they need to be perfect before going after something, while men just go for it, trusting they’ll figure it out,” she explains. Over time, she learned to push past self-doubt by creating community with other women and keeping a file of positive feedback to look back on during moments of uncertainty. “Seeing how others view you can remind you of your strengths when you’re being too self-critical,” she adds. She is also passionate about mentorship, recognizing that having strong advocates—both male and female—can accelerate women’s confidence and success.

Siera believes representation is essential for inspiring future generations. “If you can see it, you can believe it,” she says, emphasizing the importance of women in leadership. She also stresses the need to keep young girls engaged in sports by focusing on fun rather than just competition. “If we can get away from the stat-driven mindset and refocus on the joy of playing, we’ll see longer engagement and less burnout,” she explains. Whether she’s mentoring colleagues, leading initiatives at US Sports Camps, or advocating for more inclusive leadership, Siera is committed to breaking down barriers and empowering the next generation of women in sports.

Nora Osei

Nora Osei, Director of Growth and Partnerships for the Multi-Sport and Running division at US Sports Camps, is passionate about increasing representation for women in sports leadership. She believes that breaking barriers in sports leadership paves the way for future generations, ensuring that women and girls know they belong in these spaces.

Nora shares the unique pressures women face in the workplace, particularly the expectation of perfection. “Oftentimes compared to men, we are held at a higher standard,” she points out. To combat this, she encourages young women to not feel like they must know the answer to every question. “I surround myself with people who are smarter than me, who know more than me in different areas, and who have different skill sets. I’m very intentional about tapping into them.”

For Nora, inclusion and community are essential in creating a positive sports culture. Reflecting on her own experiences as both a leader and an athlete, she stresses that “the best leaders see everyone as an equal, regardless of playing time or experience.” By fostering environments where everyone feels valued, she hopes to create lasting change in sports and beyond.

Kelsey McKeon

Kelsey McKeon, Vice President of Growth and Partnerships for Volleyball and Field Hockey at US Sports Camps, has built a career driven by her lifelong passion for sports. A former basketball player, she knew she didn’t want to leave the world of athletics behind after college. “I’ve always identified as an athlete, and at the end of my college career, I thought I had to let that go. But I realized—why do I need to?” She transitioned into sports business, earning a Master’s in Sports Administration and forging a path in an industry where women remain underrepresented. Now, she uses her experiences to advocate for other female professionals in sports, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and valued.

Navigating a male-dominated industry hasn’t always been easy. “If I walk into a room and everyone’s a man, I sometimes feel like my ideas are different or go against the grain. But I remind myself—I was invited into that room for a reason.” She encourages young women to own their space with confidence, even when self-doubt creeps in. Kelsey has learned to prepare for high-stakes moments, practicing her ideas in smaller settings before presenting them to larger groups. “It’s like practicing for a game—a coach wouldn’t put you on the floor without preparation. Why should work be any different?” Her ability to push past doubt and advocate for herself has allowed her to thrive, and now she’s committed to helping other women do the same.

Kelsey is also passionate about keeping girls in sports and increasing female representation in coaching. “If young girls don’t see women leading, they don’t think it’s a space for them.” She believes women supporting women is the key to change, both on and off the field. “Representation matters. We need to be each other’s biggest advocates, because we know the challenges we face.” Whether she’s mentoring young athletes, empowering female colleagues, or leading a team of women in her current role, Kelsey is proof that when women step up, they don’t just succeed—they open the door for others to follow.

Jennifer Dorr

Jennifer Dorr, Director of Growth and Partnerships for Volleyball and Field Hockey at US Sports Camps, has spent her life immersed in athletics. Growing up in a coaching family, she developed a passion for volleyball that carried her through a successful collegiate career and nearly 20 years as a coach. When she became a mother, her perspective on coaching shifted. “I started looking at my players as daughters. I was entrusted with their safety, their learning experiences on and off the court, and I saw that I had a daily impact on young women who would go on to make the world a better place.” Now, in her role at U.S. Sports Camps, she continues to empower young women professionals and create opportunities for them in sports.

Despite working in a predominantly female sport, Jennifer still experienced the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry. “You fall into traditionally female roles—being the caretaker, taking notes instead of leading the meeting. As I became more confident, I made sure to speak up, share my opinions, and take opportunities that felt a little out of reach.” One strategy that helped her gain respect was learning to “speak the language of sports.” She encourages women to stay informed, even on sports they may not have played, because “you don’t have to play golf to fit into the boys’ club, but you should have an opinion on sports.” This ability to connect through sports helped her establish credibility and open doors in the industry.

Jennifer is a strong advocate for mentorship and keeping girls engaged in sports, especially as nearly half of teenage girls drop out worldwide. She believes visibility and guidance are key to reversing that trend. “If you can see it, you can believe it. Then you can dream about it and make it better one day.” She also stresses the importance of women uplifting one another, saying, “A strong tide raises all boats. We can help another woman fix her crown without telling the world it needed fixing.” Whether mentoring young athletes, coaching women in leadership, or working to expand opportunities in sports, Jennifer is dedicated to paving the way for the next generation of female leaders.