Nia Gaines is an athlete at heart whose years of dedication to ballet, volleyball, and baseball management built the foundation for her discipline, resilience, and leadership. She trained in ballet for nearly a decade, performing in several productions of The Nutcracker, and played volleyball for six years, serving as team captain. Her passion for athletics extended beyond the court as she managed her school’s baseball team for three years, overseeing drills, stats, and game-day operations. These experiences not only sharpened her teamwork and leadership skills but also taught her the importance of creativity, adaptability, and precision—qualities she now carries into every new challenge.

At SMART Sports, Nia channels this same energy and focus into the digital space, where she supports the organization’s mission by leading efforts in social media, digital engagement, and graphic design. Her eye for design and understanding of storytelling allow her to create dynamic visuals and content that amplify the SMART Sports brand, engage youth and families, and highlight the organization’s impact in the community.