MEET OUR TEAM

LEADERSHIP STAFF

After facing her own hardships growing up as a female skater, Kristin has dedicated her life to creating a radically inclusive skate community. Kristin’s experience working for the YMCA and as an Up2Us Sports AmeriCorps Coach informs her youth-driven approach to Skate Like a Girl’s programs. Year Joined: 2005

After two years in Skate Like a Girl's YES program, Kwame continued to work for Skate Like a Girl while earning a BS in Commerce from Santa Clara University. He enjoys philosophy podcasts, spreadsheets, and working to create a more accessible skate community. Year Joined: 2013

Tedx speaker, founder of MAHFIA.TV and Partner of the Women’s Skateboarding Alliance, Kim has over a decade of experience advocating for women in skateboarding. Finding her own strength, freedom, and self-expression through action sports, she is committed to creating accessible opportunities for everyone to participate. ​Year Joined: 2014

Ashley is a lifelong skateboarder, youth and fitness coach and has 10 years of experience instructing skateboarding and working with youth. Sports and skateboarding has given Ashley a lifetime of freedom and joy coupled with self-discipline and confidence. Ashley has a BA in Community Studies/Education from the University of California Santa Cruz and is passionate about creating a healthy, safe and supportive environment for young girls and women to participate in skateboarding regardless of age, gender, background and ability. Year Joined: 2016

Finn started skating during the pandemic as a way to while away the quarantine hours, but soon realized that this would be a lifelong passion. As soon as Finn came across Skate Like a Girl, they knew they had found the community they were looking for — people who didn’t just love skating, but also saw the potential for skating to be a catalyst for social change and belonging. Skateboarding has given Finn a space to connect more with their queer identity and meet some truly incredible people. Year Joined: 2022

Tori is an avid skateboarder and community advocate whose journey on a board began during the pandemic. As her passion grew, so did her desire to share the joy of skating with others. In Honolulu, she took on the role of a skateboard coach for youth, and also founded The Skate Garden, an inclusive skateboarding group that aimed to break barriers and inspire individuals from all walks of life to pursue their passion for skateboarding. When she's not skateboarding, Tori can be found exploring hiking trails with her loyal companion, Ollie. Keeping up with her physical fitness in the gym, and spending quality time with loved ones. Tori comes to Skate Like a Girl’s Portland chapter with a degree in Religious Studies from St. Lawrence University, and a Masters degree in Education with 5 years of experience as a teacher, working with school age youth and community partners. Year joined: 2023

Sima started with Skate Like a Girl in Seattle and then transitioned to the Portland chapter. She attributes Skate Like a Girl to being the community platform that pushed her to facilitate her authentic voice. By understanding the power of skateboarding as a forward-moving social tool, she has held multiple independently organized fundraising events that brought her local skate communities together. Sima will be your number-one hype person forever, and thanks the Skate Like a Girl family, campers, and participants alike for bringing so much color into her life. Year Joined: 2014

After growing up playing team sports in southern california, Sarita moved to the bay area to go to college and found themself in skateboarding through Skate Like a Girl and other community orgs. Sarita has been a participant, volunteer, and coach at SLAG and is dedicated to ensuring programs are a space where people of all backgrounds feel safe and welcome in skateboarding.

Originally from Southern California, Bria started skateboarding at the young age of ten but didn’t enter the skate scene until January of 2020 before she moved to Portland. Bria holds a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. As a past, present and future educator Bria has worked with kids utilizing tools to teach them social/emotional regulation, self-help skills, conflict resolution, confidence, and self-identity building. Her aim in the Portland community is to use the self-development tools she found within skateboarding to intersect her passions for teaching and skating to foster an environment that values cultural competency and connection. In addition to her work at Skate Like a Girl, you can find Bria working as a co-lead for a local skate collective called Queer Skate PDX. Joined: 2022

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PROGRAM STAFF

Hora is a long life skateboarder who loves to promote and motivate women and trans skaters to keep skating all over the world. Originally from Venezuela, she graduated from college with a degree in Engineering and helped to supervise the construction of a skate plaza in her hometown. 8 years ago, she moved to the Bay Area and began volunteering with Skate Like a Girl’s SF Bay Area chapter. In addition to being a lead instructor for Skate Like a Girl, Hora founded and continues to run Patineta Pa’ Rato (Skate Forever) a non-profit that hosts events in Venezula and helps distribute skateboarding gear to those that don’t have access. Year Joined: 2016

“I was first introduced to skateboarding through my brother in law, Andrew. One spring season, he decided to meet up and teach me how to skateboard. Being a human with a passion for filmmaking, not easily adaptive, I would end up filming him and his friends instead. Slowly but surely, I was able to find a lot of love through the art of skating. I grew and started feeling a sense of community and belonging after attending WT Sessions hosted by Skate Like a Girl. Since then, I’ve been thrilled to not only empower myself in skating but to be able to empower others in the most energizing, accepting, non-traditional and loving way possible. Year Joined: 2021

Collin started skateboarding in 2018. At 51, they were struggling to find a skate community. Their first Women and/or Trans session was life-changing, and immediately they began volunteering and spreading the word about Skate Like a Girl to every non-traditional skater they met. A longtime Portlander, they are thankful for the opportunity to help make the city they love a better place for everyone — one skateboard at a time.

Erika is a Mexican-American who was born and raised in SE Portland. She started participating in full contact sports at a young age and later coached Girls Rugby. Erika now dreams of empowering young girls in full contact sports!

Carley grew up in California and has been skateboarding and snowboarding her entire life. After receiving a BA in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, she moved to Tahoe to snowboard. Feeling the lack of a truly inclusive skate community there, she moved to Portland. Her goal with Skate Like A Girl is to help support and empower others, both on and off the board. Carley believes that creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all is one of the many keys to progression, confidence, and self-expression. As someone who grew up skating, she loves to help transfer the stoke she felt growing up to everyone else in the community!

Xander started skating during the pandemic, but when they found skate like a girl they realized that skating is way more than a small hobby. They worked as an outreach coordinator and found their passion for empowering other through skating and continues to do so at women and/or trans sessions. Their favorite park is the Northgate skate park, and their favorite after skating snack is gold fish. Year Joined: 2021

Bug first learned to skate at 8 years old through All Together Skatepark. They heard about the weekly WT nights held by Skate Like A Girl and soon became a regular. As soon as Bug turned 15 they applied to join the summer staff and continues to work with Skate Like a Girl. Year Joined: 2022

Gabe is just stoked to be here! They started skating as an adult, and found their way to Skate Like A Girl first as an interested observer, then as a participant at Women and Trans sessions. Having almost no athletic background, they are excited to have found a sport and community through which they can learn and better themselves. When they’re not skating, they enjoy singing karaoke, playing video games, and trying their hand at any crafting project they can think of. A lifelong passion for developing and expanding community drives their passion for everything Skate Like A Girl stands for.

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SEASONAL STAFF 

I grew up in Lake Tahoe skiing every chance I got. After a few months of living in Santa Cruz I finally picked up a board. For a very long time I struggled with identity and never really felt like I belonged. I fit the part of a skater but was always too intimidated by my local park. Until recently, the Truckee park was male dominated, whereas the Santa Cruz parks had a big diversity of people and plenty of room to be in my own space. I love how much the community has changed just in the last 5 years. Since I started skateboarding I’ve never felt less lost as a person, it’s unlocked the drive I always knew was inside of me. The people I’ve met and the amazing connections I’ve made have helped me define so much of who I am that wasn’t definable before. I hope to share that passion with everyone I possibly can. im so thrilled to be a part of such a unique and uplifting community.

Noheli is a skateboarding and music instructor. She began teaching 1-on-1 skateboarding lessons in California for GoSkate in 2020. Noheli’s purpose as an instructor, whether it be through skateboarding or music, is to contribute to communities through art and culture. Her personal take on art and culture is expressed through skateboarding. She is passionate about inspiring and guiding others towards enhancing the present moment by doing the activities they love most. Noheli believes that skateboarding is a sure way to experience more life! Year Joined: 2022

Brittiney always wanted to learn how to skate, and picked up her first board at the age of 30. After attending her first Women &/or Trans session in April 2022, Brittiney was stoked to find such an inclusive skate community, and instantly knew that she'd found "her people." Being dedicated to lifelong learning, Brittiney loves to challenge herself, on and off the board. Besides coaching, you can find Brittiney hosting meetups for the Portland chapter of @BreakfastSk8Club! Year Joined: 2022

Musician, artist, and activist Eva found her voice at a young age and ran with it. From creating art in many different forms, to standing up in the face of adversity, she’s always tried to be apart of something that truly speaks to her and creating a safe place for everyone to truly express themselves. Skateboarding has helped her find a community of people of all different backgrounds where everyone can truly express, create and empower each other on and off their boards. She loves that skateboarding can look different for everyone and how everyone can have their own unique expression on their boards. Year Joined: 2022

Christian has been an avid skateboarder and skate enthusiast for as long as he can remember. Joining the Skate Like a Girl org. as a volunteer intern he quickly found the joy and confidence skateboarding can bring to the youth and became inspired by them. After moving to Seattle in 2018, Christian attained a BA in International Business and has fallen in love with the neighborhood communities that make up the beautiful city. Combining skateboarding and a love for growing and protecting these communities, working with Skate Like a Girl was a no-brainer. Year Joined: 2023

Growing up in Southern California, Jackie was never too far from skate culture. She first picked up a skateboard (a battle-scarred World Industries board from an older neighbor) around the age of 9 and was instantly smitten. Jackie’s skateboard took her to and from friends’ houses, the store for snacks, community events, punk shows and all corners of her neighborhood in downtown Riverside. When the weight of the world was bearing down on her, whether it be the stress of school or the growing pains of a confused queer adolescence and a burgeoning trans identity, Jackie could always push push push away her anxieties. It was in those moments, flying down the hills and streets of suburban SoCal on her skateboard as dusk rolled in, that Jackie felt most alive. Jackie skated mostly alone for the greater part of a decade, finding little community out there for those whose identities were equal parts queer and skate rat until she came across Unity and Skate Like a Girl, both of which inspired her to begin seeking out other queer skaters in her area. After receiving her BA in Sociology at UC Santa Cruz following a 2 year stint at community college, Jackie relocated to the Bay Area and joined the Skate Like a Girl team in 2023 where she found like-minded people who too understood the power of the skateboard as a tool of expression, empowerment, and liberation. Year Joined: 2023

Romina is a Venezuelan artist raised in South Florida. She is passionate about writing, bookmaking, film photography, mental health, and of course, skating! She brings her life experiences, as well as academic ones, to her work in order to lead with integrity, compassion, and intentionality. Year Joined: 2023

Lucca is a videographer and audio engineer, capturing stories through his lens and sound design. As a dog dad, he finds companionship and adventure alongside his furry friend. Lucca's creative spirit extends to his love for visual art, bouldering, and skateboarding, which he stopped at 16 and resumed at 22, demonstrating his passion for exploring different forms of expression. Year Joined: 2023

Janet is a South Side Chicago native with roots in Michoacan, Mexico. She is currently a Grad student at the School of the Art Institute Chicago pursuing a degree in Arts Teaching. For the past few years Janet has facilitated summer skate lessons to femme and TGNC youth in Chicago’s La Villita neighborhood. When she’s not skateboarding with friends, re-reading books or welding metal you can find Janet managaging her college radio station or planning the next episode in her bilingual skate podcast, Planeta Patineta. Year Joined: 2023

Tricia is an East Coast girl, born and raised. She moved to Portland in February 2023 and jumped on the opportunity to join Skate Like a Girl. She started skating in the early 2000s, but didn't have the support to grow and thrive. That's why Skate Like a Girl is so important to Tricia - it's an organization rooted in community, where there is room for everyone regardless of skill, race, gender identity, or ability. If she's not skating, you will find Tricia on her porch, drinking sweet tea and playing guitar.

Claire is currently studying computer science and business at the University of Southern California. She loves woodworking with recycled skateboard decks and robotics. Starting to skateboard 2 years ago, Skate Like a Girl has provided her with the community they never thought they would ever have while skateboarding has allowed them to be whoever they wanted to be. Claire has always been interested in very male dominated subjects and passing along inspiration and support to other girls to also continue pursuing every single passion they have has been incredibly important to Claire and this role has given them such a large way to do so.

Ocean is a trans roller derby player and skateboarder passionate about community, love and change! Working with Skate Like a Girl has been a dream in bringing together his joy for learning with rad youths and working with other awesome queer skaters in dreaming and creating a more life-giving world.

Sassy is originally from Nashville, TN. She joined the skate community after a mountain biking injury and needed a new high risk, high reward sport. She fell head over heels for the skate community and the art that comes alongs skating. In her lifetime Sassy has taught skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking in Mammoth Lakes, California. She is now expanding her knowledge at Columbia College Chicago studying fashion merchandising.

Bailey found her love for skateboarding a few summers ago and has been stoked ever since. While living in Colorado she started Fem Skate Night, a weekly skate meet up to encourage more fem energy at the park and create an encouraging space to skate. When she first discovered Skate Like a Girl in Portland, she was beyond excited to share space with such a rad community. When she's not skating you can find her community organizing, illustrating and making zines! She couldn't think of a better way to spend her summer than shredding with the youth.

Max is a longtime skateboarding coach with his roots of skate like a girl starting when he first learned how to skateboard, as at the age of 8 he joined a skate like a girl program to try and learn with his cousin. When he grew older he joined more programs and realized the community and safe space Skate Like A Girl gave him and decided he wanted to try and give that to others. He joined as a YES volunteer to try and give back to the community that had already welcomed him in and made him for once feel safe to be himself. He is passionate about his work with skate like a girl and hopes to continue it for years and years to come.

SMaack (Stephanie Maack) is an advid skater and artist. As a former foster youth, she has always used sports and art as an outlet for healing and community. For years she skateboarded, longboard danced, and fell on her boards alone. Skating was a solo hobby until she found the community she was looking for at Skate Like a Girl W/T nights and lgbtqia+ longboard dancing meetups. These days, you can find SMaack around Seattle dancing on boards, healing, and spreading joy with her community.

Cecilia is an indigenous skater who started skating by being the camera person. Cecilia really applied themselves to more trick based skating at the beginning of the pandemic. Cecilia found Skate Like A Girl through a national skate day event at the PSU courts. Since then cecilia has been determined to help create and continue to hold space for women and lgbtq community.

Isa is a skater and community organizer based in South Florida. In 2021 they Co-founded Tutifruti, an ngo that promotes mental health and physical wellness in disenfranchised communities through skating and the arts. They have a Bachelors degree in Anthropology and International Affairs from Florida State University, and an MFA in Documentary Filmmaking from Northwestern University.

Based on the Eastside Erich has been dedicated to skateboarding for the better portion of his life. Whether helping out with camps or eagerly awaiting the next event Erich continues to drive Skate Like a Girl’s message to new and emerging skaters. You may even catch him asking people to get involved in the fun by getting out their phone and check out all Skate Like a Girl YouTube videos or try connecting with the community through Instagram and get involved. Always a smile and a crisp hi - 5, Erich is pure stoke!!

Emma picked up skateboarding while she was studying at the University of California Santa Barbara in 2019! In Isla Vista she primarily traveled by way of skateboard and a very excited golden retriever. Emma is now working in public health, since she loves working with people to improve their health, and helping build supportive community-oriented spaces. Being an assistant coach for Skate Like A Girl allows her to support others in trying new things, and get inspired by the awesome youth in her community and skate! Emma’s favorite things about skateboarding is the people she meets and the smiles she sees every time she goes to a skatepark.

In 2017, after experiencing a week of repetitive dreams in which Selma was skating through urban spaces, she decided to pick up a board and hasn’t looked back since. In 2019, Selma became a mother and re established her relationship with skateboarding with a more disciplined, compassionate, and loving approach to her body and intention. Selma is very honored to have the opportunity to play a role in helping others cultivate their relationship with their bodies and minds through skateboarding thanks to Skate Like a Girl. When Selma isn’t using skateboarding as a method of creative expression, you can find her painting, sculpting, dancing, hiking, or adventuring with her son.

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BOARD MEMBERS & ADVISORS

Stephani Smith brings 28 years of experience in the Sneaker/Sports & Fitness industry. In a recent role, she served as the Global VP/GM of Nike SB. It was then that Stephani first partnered with and fell in love with Skate Like a Girl. She too aspires to do all she can to promote social justice, build confidence in others and stoke the fire of the incredible community Skate Like a Girl serves. Year Joined: 2021

With 10+ years of experience in the skate community, Sara helps create branded experiences for young adults across the nation while helping to provide spaces for all to individuate and express themselves as desired. Sara was first introduced to SLAG through mutual friends and through joining multiple Monday night sessions. She strives to support the Skate Like a Girl mission and build a more inclusive community within skateboarding and advocating for those without a platform. Year Joined: 2021.

Andrew fell in love with skateboarding at the age of 12 and has spent the last 15 years producing digital content and branded social media campaigns within the skateboarding industry. He was introduced to Skate Like A Girl through a mutual friend and is passionate about Skate Like a Girl's mission to create a more inclusive and diverse environment within skateboarding. Andrew hopes that through unique and engaging TikTok content he can help build a more equitable skateboarding community. Year Joined: 2021

Jen fell in love with snowboarding the first time she strapped in on the sunny slopes of Big Bear Mountain, California. More than 20 years later, the passion still lives on stronger than ever in Truckee, California, where she now resides. Jen also enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and anything adventurous outdoors. After Jen graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting, she obtained her CPA license. She worked for Deloitte and Touche as a Senior Corporate Auditor for three years, and then went on to work for Avery Dennison, a Fortune 500 company, in their corporate financial reporting department. Jen was the VP of Finance and Corporate Controller at Cherokee, Inc. (renamed to Apex Global Brands) for over eight years. At Cherokee, she led the finance and accounting team and managed multiple processes, which included financial accounting, financial budgeting, financial planning, as well as financial reporting and systems implementations. Jen is the Finance and Admin consultant for Protect Our Winters and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Save a Brain, STAY (Somebody's Thinking About You), and Skate Like a Girl.

Beth is an employment and civil rights attorney, strongly committed to advocating for the rights of marginalized populations including women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ community. Beth was first introduced to Skate Like a Girl as a parent of young skater who has attended day, summer sleep away camp, and special events. As someone with a strong values of social justice, Beth immediately felt at home with the values and community of Skate Like a Girl. Year Joined: 2020

Lauren is a 3rd year law student at Seattle University School of Law. She will be graduating in May of 2022 and has primarily worked for legal aid organizations serving marginalized communities. Lauren began learning how to skateboard after leaving the military in 2019 and found Skate Like a Girl on Instagram. After attending Get on Board 2020, she immediately knew she wanted to get more involved with Skate Like a Girl. Year Joined: 2021

Tim, an elementary school teacher, first found Skate Like a Girl after his daughters asked to try skateboarding in 2018. He got his own board that same year to share the stoke with them. Tim was first involved as a parent supporter of his daughters and became more involved himself through the community Allyship workshops. Those workshops lit a fire to build a more inclusive skate community. He is always eager to advocate for Skate Like a Girl’s value to our community. Year Joined: 2021

Eddie found Skate Like a Girl though a conversation with his cousin who's been a better skateboarder than him for over 30 years. Once Eddie saw that SLAG's mission is to "create an inclusive community by promoting confidence, leadership, and social justice through skateboarding" He wanted to find a way to use his 15+ years of Information Technology experience here at SLAG. As the dad of two rad girls along with being a Business/Data Analyst, it made sense for Eddie to volunteer on our Data Team. "So stoked to be a part of this amazing crew. I love what we do and am glad I get to serve in this capacity"

Branden is an advocate for Skate Like A Girl, for positive social change, and for the wonders that the right tech can bring to an organization. Branden brings a wealth of knowledge regarding software and technology that allows SLAG to run smoothly and have capacity to grow in safe and efficient ways as an organization.

Ripley has been a part of the SLAG community long before she joined the board as a avid volunteer in the bay area. Ripley is passionate about community outreach, fundraising, and beginner instruction for all ages and abilities. She enjoy sharing Skate Like a Girl’s mission with new community members and partners. Year Joined: 2018

Bill is a CPA who was introduced to skateboarding in Seattle when his child, Sage, kept bringing home a skateboard, sleeping with it, and boarding for hours daily. Sage had a lifetime love of skating, in many ways it was Sage’s life’s primary passion right up until the day in October 2017 when they lost a fight with cancer. Sage had a deep commitment and love for Skate Like A Girl and its mission. Sage did not like competitions and instead just loved shredding and being non-conventional in performing tricks, laughing, and staying positive with skateboarders at the park. Bill wants to honor Sage by continuing the work of Skate Like a Girl to promote inclusion, love, positivity centered around a deck, wheels, and trucks, while having fun and growing the skating community. Year Joined: 2021

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