USA Swimming Announces 54 Participants For Women’s Coaches In Governance Program

by Sean Griffin 2

August 10th, 2025 National, News

USA Swimming has announced the 54 participants selected for its Women’s Coaches in Governance program.

The program combines eight virtual Zoom meetings with one in-person session. The in-person component is slated to take place during the USA Swimming Annual Summit in Denver, Colorado, from September 24-28, 2025. A full breakdown of program topics is available here.

According to USA Swimming, the program is focused on “identifying, educating, supporting and mentoring female coaches who wish to be more involved in organizational governance.”

Local Swimming Committees (LSCs) can nominate coaches, and these nominations receive priority for selection. Coaches may also nominate themselves to fill any remaining spots.

USA Swimming listed the following three criteria to be considered for selection:

  • USA Swimming women coach members in good standing, with a minimum of five years coaching experience.
  • Less than one year of governance experience and interest in getting involved.
  • LSC financial backing to support attendance at the 2025 USA Swimming Workshop.

“We are excited to be in our third year of Women Coaches in Governance,” said co-founder of the program Mary Liston in USA Swimming’s press release. “We are here to show women they have options to have a voice, have a seat at the table, or position on a committee. It is our plan to show them a path to new friends and new connections for a productive future within USA Swimming.”

“This program is geared towards helping us all grow, lead, and celebrate in our sport,” Liston added. “We will honor our common grounds and explore areas for growth. These coaches should expect a positive, interactive experience where they can perfect new tools as they move forward in their careers. We are all in this together, and together we are better.”

See all 54 participants below.

LSC Nominations

LSC/Region Name
Adirondack Alicia Faucett
Allegheny Mountain Gianna Boburka
Colorado Patricia Butcher
Connecticut Kristen Finnegan
Florida Emily Mason-Milak
Florida Gold Coast Madison Yelle
Georgia Lydia Scharff
Gulf Lillian Galvan
Indiana Amber Perkins
Iowa Melissa Woltz
Kentucky Lynetter Hudnell
Lake Erie Erin Crabtree
Louisiana Angie Carter
Maryland Meghan Risper
Metro Vic Walcott
Michigan Katie Sullivan
Middle Atlantic Cheryl Edwards
Middle Atlantic Beth Cholish
Middle Atlantic Allison McPeek
Minnesota Chasi May
Missouri Valley Mary-Catherine Ivey
New England Lauren Gale
New Jersey Allison Collins
Niagara Kaziah Howard
Niagara Sage Vadney
North Carolina Wendy Lawrence
North Dakota Kaylee Schell
North Texas Madi Wyatt
Ohio Ellie Lindauer
Oklahoma Pamela Bradley
Oregon Maddie Day
Pacific Kelly Nathane
Potomac Valley Kristina Minear
Sierra Nevada Hillary Hong
Snake River Janice Lopez
South Carolina Mary Leigh Gaza
Southeastern Daun Lutz
Southern California Shelby Hernandez
Utah Kilee Rohlf
Virginia Lauren Waterworth
Virginia Samantha Willis
West Texas Chloe Parker
Wisconsin Katie Humitz
Wyoming Chelsea Dees

Self Nominations

State/Region Name
Iowa Meredith Nash
Louisiana Amanda Caldwell
Georgia Lindsay Knapp
Southeastern Alyson Hannan
North Carolina Emily Laurent
North Carolina Katherine Holian
Florida Alexis Mendenhall
Pacific Noelle Harvey
Middle Atlantic Tara Bolivar

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AndyB
9 months ago

Now if they can just name their own leader.

Beach Alum
9 months ago

with more than 50 % of our athletes female glad to see we are providing more programs for our female coaches kudos to the visonaries who are chamipioning this program