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Leadership

The United States Volt Hockey Association board consists of volunteers who are involved with the association in different aspects of the sport. Coaches, players, disability non-profit leaders, university researchers, and more all serve on the board in order to provide a well-rounded view of how we can move forward as the country's central organizational body for volt hockey.

A headshot of Marley Robinson: a young white woman with short straight blonde hair

Marley Robinson, President

A former software engineer, Marley became involved with volt hockey as a founding athlete of the Boston Whiplash and now leads the sport’s growth across the United States. As someone with spinal muscular atrophy, she is driven to create opportunities for athletes with disabilities like herself to compete. Her nonprofit and disability advocacy experience spans more than a decade, from childhood involvement with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to founding Diversability at Northeastern University. Marley enjoys sharing volt hockey at events nationwide and looks forward to expanding the sport through new programs and partnerships.

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Avery Melam, Vice President

Avery is an undergraduate student at Northeastern University, where she first got involved with volt hockey through research at the Institute for Health Equity and Social Justice Research. In addition to working with volt hockey, she is a dedicated pre-medical student and an Emergency Medical Technician that works at Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc. As a member of the deaf community, she has always been immersed in the disability community and strives to increase accessibility and awareness for all.

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Caeden Parisi, Clerk

Caeden is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technician at Advanced Data Risk Management (ADRM). He first discovered volt hockey in 2022 through his late friend, JB Harvey, whose passion for the sport left a lasting impact. Inspired by his experience, Caeden joined the Boston Whiplash and quickly became an active team member. In September 2024, Caeden was elected to the USVHA Board, where he works alongside other members to expand volt hockey across the United States and make adaptive sports more accessible to all.

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Ky Hudson, Treasurer

Ky is a finance professional based in Charleston, South Carolina, where she lives with her wife and their dog. As a lifelong athlete, she has developed a deep appreciation for the teamwork, energy, and camaraderie that sports can bring to anyone's life. Ky is passionate about building inclusive communities through shared goals and challenges, which is what drew her to the sport of volt hockey. She is excited to combine her background in finance with her love of sport to increase the accessibility of volt hockey and support the USVHA’s mission to grow the game.

A headshot of Laura Calderón: a young white woman wearing round glasses and has shoulder-length straight brown/orange hair

Laura Calderón, Board Member

Laura is a software engineer that encountered volt hockey through a Diversability club event while a student at Northeastern University. Initially a dedicated volunteer, Laura has now transitioned to coaching the Boston Whiplash team. Laura is committed to supporting the development and growth of players and promoting inclusivity. A passionate "people person", her ultimate goal is to empower current and future volt hockey players both athletically and personally, helping them find community and reach their fullest potential.

A headshot of Kim Damato: a middle-aged white woman wearing large colorful glasses and short brown straight hair

Kim Damato, Board Member

Kim is an experienced sales professional who has dedicated 30 years of her career to selling medical equipment for her family's company, Rehabilitation Equipment Associates. Over the years, she has built a strong reputation in the industry and has developed a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by healthcare providers and their patients. In her free time, Kim volunteers for volt hockey and power soccer which highlights her compassion and dedication to making a positive difference in her community for individuals with disabilities.

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Ryan Kennedy, Board Member

Ryan has spent a decade mastering the high-stakes worlds of finance and data and is currently a Senior Professional at a major data intelligence firm focusing on information security and compliance. Ryan was introduced to volt hockey through Marley and has enjoyed watching the sport, and the enthusiasm for it, grow. In his spare time, Ryan is a father of two amazing boys, and one amazing dog. He’s taken on his father’s love for photography and enjoys documenting his youngest son’s love for baseball, as well as attending and photographing concerts. He looks forward to bringing this same level of passion to volt hockey and the USVHA.

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Doug McCullough, Board Member

Doug has spent nearly 30 years involved in adaptive sports and disability advocacy. Born with spinal muscular atrophy, he grew up active on his family’s dairy farm in Pennsylvania and has a long record of community service. He built a successful career in the dairy industry and later in supply chain at Johnson & Johnson, where he helped launch and grow their global disability employee group to 4,000 members. Since retiring in 2023, he focuses on disability empowerment and leadership. His first book, A Billion People in the Shadows, was published in 2024 and reached #1 in Amazon’s Business Diversity & Inclusion category.

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Paula Swigert, Board Member

Paula is a supply chain and operations management professional who lives in Michigan with her husband. She was introduced to hockey through her sons, who both played youth ice and inline hockey in and around Michigan. Paula enjoys camping, hiking, horseback riding, and pretty much anything outdoors with her family. She is excited to contribute her efforts and skillset to growing Volt Hockey in the U.S.

Join the USVHA Board!
Role Overview

USVHA Board Members are mission-driven volunteers who guide the organization’s strategy, governance, and growth. As a national board, we meet virtually, making it possible for board members from anywhere in the U.S. to serve. Board members champion the sport’s nationwide expansion, ensuring that decisions benefit the entire U.S. volt hockey community, not any single team or partner organization.

Key Responsibilities
  • Governance & Strategy: Provide guidance on organizational priorities, approve budgets, and uphold fiduciary duties of care and loyalty.
     

  • Meetings: Attend monthly virtual board meetings on the second Wednesday from 7:00–8:30 PM ET and participate in occasional committee work.
     

  • Engagement & Advocacy: Promote USVHA and volt hockey within personal and professional networks, serving as an ambassador for the sport’s national growth.
     

  • Fundraising & Support: Make an annual personal donation in any amount you feel comfortable with, and assist with fundraising events, sponsorship outreach, or community partnerships.
     

  • Communication: Respond promptly to board communications (within 3 business days for non-urgent matters, or by any stated deadlines).

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  • Team Culture: Collaborate respectfully with fellow board members, staff, and volunteers, fostering an inclusive and positive environment.

Desired Skills & Experience

We are especially interested in candidates who can offer experience or interest in one or more of the following areas:

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  • Fundraising, donor cultivation, grant strategy, or nonprofit development

  • Corporate sponsorship or strategic partnership development

  • Marketing, communications, public relations, or brand strategy

  • Adaptive sports, disability recreation, or national sports development and governance

  • Nonprofit governance, strategic planning, organizational growth, or diversity, equity, and inclusion

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People with lived experience of disability are strongly encouraged to apply. Your perspective is vital to ensuring our programs remain inclusive and responsive to the community we serve.

Time & Term
  • Approx. 1.5–3 hours per month including meetings and committee work.

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  • Board members serve a one-year term and may be re-elected annually without term limits; after two terms, each additional term requires a two-thirds membership vote.

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  • Board members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses.

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  • All elected board members are required to complete a criminal background check prior to beginning service.

How to Apply

Complete our board member application form here. Selected applicants will be invited to an interview and provided with our Board Member Agreement and bylaws for review.

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If you require any accommodations throughout the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

ABOUT USVHA

The United States Volt Hockey Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2022 to serve as the leading organization for the expansion and regulation of volt hockey in the USA. The USVHA hopes to foster the growth of volt hockey by helping new teams become established across the country, providing resources for training and refereeing, and hosting both national and international tournaments.

Employer ID Number (EIN)

99-1458895

© 2026 by United States Volt Hockey Association

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