Leadership Team

Acting Executive Director

Kelly Landry Mehrtens

Kelly is the Chief Vision and Strategy Officer of SMART Sports, where she’s using over 30 years of experience in education and athletics. Kelly has always believed in the power of sports to teach life lessons and provide opportunities for personal growth, and she brings that same philosophy to her impact work at SMART Sports.

Before joining SMART Sports, Kelly served as Executive Director of The Trust (powered by the NFLPA), where she led programs that supported NFL players transitioning from their playing careers. Under her leadership, The Trust offered services like career development, mental health support, and entrepreneurship—programs designed to help athletes thrive beyond the field. This experience in creating comprehensive, holistic programs is something Kelly brings directly to her work with SMART Sports, where she’s focused on offering youth the tools they need to succeed in life.

Kelly’s career also includes C-Suite leadership roles at Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC institutions where she oversaw athletic operations and played a key role in managing teams and creating successful programs that supported student-athletes. Those experiences have shaped her approach to developing programs at SMART Sports that prioritize education, athletics, and social-emotional growth for young people.

An NCAA All-American in track and field and a proud alumna of the University of Alabama, Kelly also holds a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Illinois. Throughout her career, she’s served on national boards and committees, always advocating for better support systems for athletes and students. Now at SMART Sports, Kelly is dedicated to providing vision and strategy to create opportunities that help young people excel in all areas of their lives.

Fun Facts: Panama City, Florida native; Florida State Champion Discus Thrower; Alabama Grad; Illinois Grad; 20+ Years Collegiate Athletics Administration; 8 Years Professional Football C-Suite; Household Scrabble Champion; New to Pickleball.

Chief Fund Development Officer

Martine Francis

Martine Francis brings a wealth of experience and heart to her role as Chief FUNd Development Officer at S.M.A.R.T. Sports. After a distinguished 36-year career in the pharmaceutical development industry, Martine recently stepped into her next chapter—combining her passion for youth empowerment and community building through sports and mentorship.

She began her professional journey in 1988 after earning a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Biology from Norfolk State University. In 2003, she added an M.Sc. in Project Management from The George Washington University/ESI to her academic credentials. Since 2007, Martine has served as a primary consultant for KM Pharmaceutical Consulting, where she provided strategic leadership in clinical operations for global clients.

A former athlete herself, Martine understands the powerful role sports can play in shaping a child’s life—not just through physical activity, but by instilling core values like discipline, teamwork, confidence, and compassion. Her work at S.M.A.R.T. Sports reflects this belief, as she helps ensure the organization has the resources it needs to continue making a meaningful difference in young lives.

In addition to her professional achievements, Martine co-founded Next Step with her sister Donny—a mentorship program for African American high school students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Over the course of four years, students in the program were introduced to successful professionals of color, showing them firsthand that their dreams are both valid and achievable. The program’s motto, “There is no better investment than the one in yourself,” continues to resonate with its many graduates—now thriving as military officers, educators, pharmacists, doctors, and entrepreneurs.

Martine lives in Potomac Falls, Virginia, with her husband of 27 years. Together, they have one son. Her commitment to family, community, and creating opportunities for the next generation is what fuels her work—and her joy—every single day.

Chief Curriculum and Success Officer

Dr. Joan Arches

Dr. J, LICSW, PhD, brings deep expertise in positive youth development and educational equity. During her ten years as Academic Director for 3PointFoundation and as Professor Emerita at the University of Massachusetts Boston’s College of Education & Human Development, she helped design and implement innovative, research-based programs that directly support underserved youth. Her work focuses on building strong university-community partnerships, integrating project-based learning, social-emotional development, and 21st-century skills into youth programs. Joan’s leadership has played a key role in developing impactful, scalable models that demonstrate measurable outcomes—critical for securing ongoing grant funding and expanding 3Point’s reach.

For over 25 years, Dr. Arches has been leading the development of innovative programs that connect university students with youth in Boston Public Schools and beyond. Her work emphasizes real-world, hands-on learning experiences that benefit both students and the communities they serve. Driven by a deep commitment to youth and community engagement, she has shared her expertise around the world—including in China, Australia, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Hawaii—through consulting, publishing, and speaking engagements. Her national and international presentations have focused on effective community-university partnerships, out-of-school time programming, project-based learning, and strategies for advancing positive youth development in urban settings. Her global perspective and track record of impactful programming continue to inform and strengthen 3PointFoundation’s mission.

Currently she is working on a book looking at the impact of a five-year youth civic and community development service-learning partnership program she ran 20 years ago. The book reunites the former participants is centering their narratives and messages.

In recognition of her impact in local communities, Dr. Arches received the President’s Award from 3PointFoundation, University of Massachusetts, President’s Award for Public Service, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Celebration of Education Award.

Chief Digital and Design Intern

Nia Gaines

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.

Nia is pursuing a B.A. in Interior Design with a minor in Architecture at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Recognized on the Dean’s List and certified in both Entrepreneurship and Visual Design, Nia brings a unique blend of artistry, business knowledge, and technical skill to her projects.

Fun Facts: Expert home stagger and interior design specialist.