Board of Directors

Chair

Kelly Mehrtens

Kelly Mehrtens is a retired C-suite sports executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in education and athletics. A former NCAA All-American and proud University of Alabama alumna, she believes in the power of sports to teach life lessons, build character, and create opportunities for growth.

Before joining SMART Sports Board and currently serving as the acting Executive Director, Kelly served as Executive Director of The Trust (powered by the NFLPA), where she led programs that supported NFL players in transitioning from their playing careers through career development, mental health services, and entrepreneurship. She also held senior leadership roles at major collegiate athletic programs, where she championed student-athlete success and holistic development.

Kelly brings vision, strategy, and a lifelong passion for empowering youth through education, athletics, and personal growth.

Vice President

Garland Thomas-McDavid

Dr. Garland Thomas-McDavid, Chief Executive Officer of Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School, is stepping in as acting high school Principal. A seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in education, she has earned a reputation of success in forging student success, growing schools, facilitating school turnarounds, and developing diverse educator and leader talent.

Dr. Thomas-McDavid holds multiple degrees, including a B.S. and M.S. in Special Education from Florida State University as well as Doctorate of Education with a focus on Educational Leadership from DePaul University. She has spent time working as a special education instructor, university professor, school principal, and CEO of three different charter school networks.

Her degrees and many years of hands-on experience have helped shape her into a renowned expert in the public education field. A fierce believer in the power of education, Dr. Thomas-McDavid is a Brooklyn native and proud graduate of New York City public schools.

Secretary

Randy Paschal

Attorney Randy Paschal brings a distinguished blend of academic excellence, athletic discipline, and community leadership to his role with SMART Sports, Inc. A graduate of Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, where he earned highest honors, Randy’s formative years in both academics and athletics laid the foundation for his commitment to mentorship, youth development, and educational empowerment.

Guided by a belief that education and opportunity are the cornerstones of growth, Randy has dedicated his time to mentoring students, leading peer tutoring initiatives, and supporting community-based programs that bridge the gap between ambition and access. His professional and philanthropic work reflect a deep understanding of how sports can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal and academic success.

At SMART Sports, Inc., Randy is committed to helping strengthen the organization’s mission through strategic partnerships, program development, and advocacy. His leadership continues to inspire young people to not only excel in sports, but to embrace education, resilience, and purpose as tools for lifelong success.

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Fletcher N. Smith III

For nearly 25 years, Fletcher N. Smith III has been a trusted leader at the intersection of sports and law. As an NFLPA-certified agent and practicing attorney, he has negotiated more than $500 million in player contracts and endorsement deals, representing nearly 100 NFL athletes.

A Chicago native, Fletcher has shaped modern sports representation—securing landmark deals for players like Donovan McNabb, Jarvis Landry, and Xavien Howard—and now advises emerging talent in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era. Before founding Blueprint Sports Group, he served in leadership roles at DLA Piper and CSMG.

Respected for his integrity and strategic insight, Fletcher brings deep experience and a passion for athlete empowerment to the Board.

Director of Civic Engagement

Marshall Walker

Marshall J. Walker is a trial attorney dedicated to justice, integrity, and client-centered advocacy. He approaches each case with passion and purpose, grounded in the belief that strong relationships are the foundation of effective representation.

A graduate of Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he was named to the Dean’s List and served in leadership roles, Marshall brings fresh perspective, discipline, and a deep commitment to service to the Board.

He is a Chicago-based attorney dedicated to empowering youth through education, advocacy, and community engagement. As Director of Civic Engagement at SMART Sports, Inc., he leverages his legal expertise and deep community ties to build strategic partnerships and expand opportunities for underserved students. Marshall is passionate about using the power of sports and academics to create lasting impact across the city.

Director of Marketing

Marina Mehrtens

Marina Mehrtens is a Chicago-based attorney with over seven years of experience advising companies on strategic initiatives and commercial legal transactions. A former consultant, Mrs. Mehrtens brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to her legal work—partnering closely with business teams to advance high-impact initiatives.

As Counsel at Grubhub, and through her prior roles at Momofuku and the Chicago Cubs, Mrs. Mehrtens has gained broad experience in, and a deep enthusiasm for, the hospitality industry. She is passionate about building connections and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and believes inviting new voices to the table can lead to growth and life-changing connections.

Mrs. Mehrtens received her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and her B.S. in Business Administration from Boston University, where she attended as a Posse Scholar.

Director of Public Affairs

Lesley Esters Redwine

Lesley Esters Redwine serves as the Chief Operating Officer, Chief People Officer, and General Counsel for Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School, where she oversees operations, talent and human capital strategy, legal affairs, and organizational development. She brings more than two decades of leadership experience in education, nonprofit management, and executive advising.

Ms. Redwine is the Founder and former CEO of LER Consultants and Advisors, a national consulting practice specializing in executive search, interim executive leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development for nonprofits, schools, and social-impact organizations. She has also served as Interim Executive Director for the Five Smooth Stones Foundation, supporting the Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys.

Previously, Ms. Redwine founded and led InspirED Education, a Detroit-based education nonprofit providing comprehensive school management services. She has held senior roles at New Urban Learning, where she served as CEO; Achievement First, where she helped launch 12 schools in Brooklyn; and the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO), where she served as President and CEO of the New York Chapter.

A National Urban Fellow and licensed attorney, Ms. Redwine has served as a policy analyst, adjunct professor, and nonprofit advisor, and has been recognized as a Crain’s 40 Under 40 honoree, a Leadership Detroit graduate, and a member of the founding cohort of the Charter Network Accelerator. She has held advisory and teaching roles at Detroit Mercy Law and remains active in Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC) and other community organizations.

Ms. Redwine holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan, J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and M.P.A. from Baruch College, with additional executive leadership training from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard Business School, and the Teleos Leadership Institute. She is licensed to practice law in New York and certified in K–12 educational leadership in Michigan.

Director

Billie Akauola

Billie Akauola is a Managing Director at KPMG and a former NCAA Division 1 Athlete from Arizona State University as well as a Junior Olympic trial participant. She believes that sports can shape the fabric of life for youth that have the opportunity to participate.

At SMART Sports, Inc., Billie is committed to creating these opportunities so that the next generations to come can excel through athletics, education and develop lifelong skills that will mold them into people that are able to contribute positively to the broader community and world.