Andrea Durham is the CEO and Founder of Minority Women in Sports, a 501(c)(3) charitable
foundation dedicated to supporting and advancing the educational and professional goals of
minority women pursuing careers in the sports industry. Founded in 2020, the foundation has
launched various programs aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by minority
women in sports. Through strategic partnerships, the foundation connects aspiring
professionals with industry leaders, offering career guidance, networking opportunities, and
skills development. As the only organization of its kind, MWIS is shaping the future of diversity
in sports by ensuring minority women have the resources, mentorship, and community they
need to thrive in every arena.

With a background in athletic training that spans every competitive level, Andrea continues to
serve in the field as a PRN Certified Athletic Trainer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in
Chemistry from Tennessee State University and a Master of Science in Athletic Training from
Seton Hall University. Andrea is deeply passionate about education and professional
development, having taught courses in both kinesiology and entrepreneurship. She believes in
equipping students not only with technical skills but also with the confidence, knowledge, and
networks necessary thrive in whichever profession they choose. Her career reflects a
commitment to creating opportunities where others can learn, grow, and lead. These values are
at the heart of her leadership with Minority Women in Sports, Inc. and fuel her passion for
advancing equity in every arena.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

Dr. Danielle Lynch assumed the role of Director of Athletics at Haverford College in March of 2022. Lynch brings more than 20 years of experience in college coaching and athletics administration to Haverford and is a respected professional within the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Lynch joined the staff at Haverford from Susquehanna University, where she served as Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance. In this role, she was the primary NCAA compliance officer for 22 varsity sports teams as well as the athletics designee for inclusion and diversity (ADID) and the university's deputy Title IX coordinator. She is also a trained facilitator for the NCAA's OneTeam program, which promotes inclusion and equity for the LGBTQ+ community within Division III athletics, and oversaw the day-to-day administration of the men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's swimming and diving, and softball programs.

Prior to her work at Susquehanna, Lynch was in a leadership role as the senior woman administrator, athletics coordinator, student-athlete welfare coordinator, Title IX committee chair, Student Athlete Advisory Commitee (SAAC) advisor, athletics designee for inclusion and diversity at Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, Pa.

Lynch balanced these numerous administrative and leadership duties while maintaining her role as a head coach for the men's and women's track & field and cross country teams for the Nittany Lions, a program she started. Lynch built that program into a formidable unit, coaching six All-Americans and the school's first national champion during an eight-season tenure at the helm.

Her career began at the United States Military Academy (West Point) where she was an assistant track and field coach for sprints and hurdles. Two years later she then moved on to a similar role with Bucknell University. At Bucknell, she was the first-assistant track and field coach, helping to instruct more than 20 school record holders and 30 Patriot League champions over eight years.

Having earned her Bachelor of Arts in geography and anthropology from Rutgers University and her Master of Science in Education from Bucknell in 2010, Lynch earned her Doctorate in Lifelong Learning in Adult Education from Pennsylvannia State University in 2024. Her research focus is exploring the lived experiences of Black male professional athletes during ongoing social justice movements. 

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1- 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

CC Clark is a financial literacy educator, speaker, and founder of The Prosperity League, where the mission is simple: Play. Brand. Profit. With over 17 years of experience teaching business, marketing, and entrepreneurship, CC has impacted thousands of students inside the classroom and beyond. A former Division I basketball player at Samford University, she knows firsthand the challenges of being a student-athlete with little financial knowledge. That experience drives her passion for teaching young people how to manage money, build businesses, and leverage opportunities like NIL to create long-term success.

CC blends her background as a teacher, coach, and entrepreneur to make financial literacy relatable, fun, and practical. She has developed curriculums, workbooks, and coaching programs used by schools and families, and her YouTube show and podcast give young athletes and entrepreneurs a platform to share their stories. Known as the “cool teacher” who makes real-world lessons stick, CC’s mission is to help students and parents build financial independence, create lasting wealth, and brand beyond the game.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1- 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

This episode is a replay from Season 7. Dr. Jessica R. Murfree, Assistant Professor at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, joins Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1- 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

In May 2025, Patrick Mashuda, Associate Vice President for Athletics and Compliance, announced the appointment of Sherry Lewis as the new head coach of the Chowan University women's flag football team. Lewis will lead the Hawks in the launch of the university's inaugural women's flag football program, set to begin competition in the Spring of 2026.She will also serve as the Head Coach for Men's and Women's Cross Country. 

An alumna of Chowan University, Lewis returns to campus with a background in athletics, recreation, and leadership. She began her academic journey at Richard Bland College, where she earned an Associate of Science degree in Liberal Arts in 2011. She then transferred to Chowan University, earning her bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Sport Studies and Coaching in 2014, followed by a master's degree in Sports Management from Virginia State University in 2017.

"We welcome Sherry back to campus and are excited to have her lead us into our flag football era," stated Patrick Mashuda, Associate Vice President for Athletics and Compliance. "Sherry's personal and professional beliefs align perfectly with our athletic department mission of teaching, serving, and competing."

She recently served as assistant women's basketball coach at Richard Bland College, where she oversaw recruiting, game strategy, player development, and academic support. Her professional experience also includes leadership roles with Richmond Parks and Recreation and Prince George County Parks and Recreation, where she was instrumental in planning youth and adult athletic programs, managing facilities and event operations, and mentoring young athletes.

In addition to her coaching and recreation department experiences, Lewis serves as an adjunct instructor with the Sport Studies Department at Virginia State University. She has taught several courses including officiating and flag football.

"Having Sherry back is a blessing for our department," stated Meredith Long, Deputy Athletic Director. "As a former two-sport student-athlete at Chowan she understands the landscape and the university well. We look forward to seeing how the experiences she gained while she has been in the field since she graduated will be applied here at Chowan."  

Lewis was a member of the Chowan Hawks women's bowling team and the inaugural season of women's lacrosse (2013). In addition to her work in athletics, Lewis has over a decade of service in the United States Army as a Transportation Management Coordinator. Her military background has equipped her with invaluable skills in logistics, operations management, team coordination, and leadership.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

Born and raised in North Babylon, New York, my early life was defined by a strong sense of community, hard work, and purpose. These values not only influenced her path in athletics and fitness but also became the foundation for a dynamic and evolving career in higher education, particularly within the realm of collegiate athletics. 

After high school I enrolled at Temple University, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science in 2009. While at Temple, I viewed kinesiology not just as a field of study but as a toolkit for helping athletes fine-tune their performance and better understand their bodies. After obtaining my degree, I spent four years (2010–2014) working as a health fitness professional with the Health Fitness Corporation, where I helped a broad demographic from working professionals to recreational athletes set and achieve health-related goals. 

For seven years, I worked with Mo’ Motion, Inc., a youth basketball organization in New York City dedicated to developing young athletes through skill-building, fitness, and leadership. As a basketball coach I managed training sessions for boys and girls aged five through sixteen. I combined technical drills with strength and conditioning practices, offering athletes a well-rounded foundation in physical development. 


In 2016, I took on a pivotal role that marked the beginning of my journey in collegiate athletics: I was appointed Assistant Director of Facility Operations in Columbia University’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education. It was a transition from the private fitness world into university recreation and athletics an environment that allowed me to merge administrative management with my passion for sports. In this role, I was responsible for a complex array of duties, including supervising the recreation facility, managing inventory and upkeep of fitness equipment, training staff, tracking payroll, and ensuring the operational readiness of athletic venues for events. 
This position offered me a broad, behind-the-scenes look at university athletics, exposing me to the unique challenges faced by student-athletes and athletic staff alike. 

In 2020, I was named Assistant Director of Enrichment Services at Columbia. In this role, my focus shifted from operational logistics to student support a shift that aligned perfectly with my long-standing commitment to mentorship and development. Working within Columbia’s Success Through Well-Being initiative, I played a vital role in supporting student-athletes holistically, addressing their needs not just in competition, but in their academic, emotional, and career journeys. I became a trusted advisor to many within the athletics community, offering personalized career guidance and helping athletes navigate life beyond sport. 

In July 2022, just two years after my initial appointment, I was promoted to Director of Enrichment Services & Career Development. The expanded title signified not just a change in name, but a deepening of responsibility. Now leading career development initiatives, I collaborated closely with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, organizes professional development programming, and serves as a key facilitator in helping athletes build pathways into careers, internships, and graduate education.

Further exemplifying my commitment to fostering inclusive athletic communities, I joined Columbia’s We Roar Together initiative, a university-wide effort committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in athletics. As co-chair of the Hiring, Retention, and Engagement Subcommittee, I helped shape hiring practices and cultivated environments in which staff and student-athletes from all backgrounds could thrive. 

I continued to pursue academic growth by enrolling in graduate school at Teachers College, Columbia University, one of the nation’s top institutions for education and social science.
In May 2025, I earned a Master’s degree in Sociology and Organizational Psychology, a program that deepened my understanding of human dynamics, leadership, and systems of organizational change. 

My graduate work further supports my professional mission: creating environments and programs that empower student-athletes not just to compete, but to lead, heal, grow, and pursue excellence in every domain of their lives.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 11. Seasons 1- 10 and season 11 (through December 2025) can be found on 200plus.expert.

Terica "Teri" Peay is an emerging leader in collegiate athletics with a strong background in strategic communications, media relations, and athletic administration. With over a decade of experience across NCAA institutions, she has established herself as a results-driven professional committed to promoting student-athletes, elevating athletic brands, and fostering inclusive excellence in sports.

Currently serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communications at Albany State University, she leads the department’s media and public relations efforts, oversees game-day operations, and manages digital engagement across platforms. She acts as the main media liaison for all Golden Rams sports, ensuring the visibility and promotion of ASU’s student-athletes and programs. In her role, she is responsible for creating content that highlights the powerful stories of the institution’s athletic achievements, academic success, and community impact. From coordinating press coverage and managing social media strategies to training interns and student staff, Peay has established a reputation for excellence, creativity, and leadership. 

Her love for sports runs deep, nurtured from a young age in South Carolina, where she was raised in a family with a proud history of athletic excellence. As a standout three-sport athlete in cross country, women’s basketball, and track and field, she found joy and purpose in competition. However, after a career-ending accident and a diagnosis of Left Atrium Enlargement (LAE), her path shifted from playing the game to leading it. Although this turn was painful, it ignited a deeper passion — one that led her to discover her true calling:  telling the stories behind the game and ensuring that the athletes who live them are seen, heard, and celebrated.

Peay's journey in athletics began with a strong foundation in sports management and media operations. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Management from Johnson C. Smith University in 2010, where she was recognized on the Dean's List and was an active member of Phi Epsilon Kappa. To further her academic growth, she obtained a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the Keller Graduate School of Management in 2012. Committed to expanding her knowledge and leadership skills, she is currently enrolled in a second master’s program at Georgia Southern University, pursuing a Master of Science in Sports Management to enhance her impact in athletic administration.

Her professional journey has encompassed various roles across multiple institutions. Before her current position, she worked as the Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations at South Carolina State University, where she managed all media and statistical operations, handled social media content, and coordinated coverage for various sports. She was also briefly promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Media and Game Coordinator. Earlier in her career, Peay gained valuable experience at Johnson C. Smith University and Onnidan, where she developed expertise in game operations, hospitality coordination, and public relations. Throughout her work at each institution, Peay has demonstrated a commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and a student-first approach.

In recognition of her leadership potential and growing influence in the field, she has been selected for multiple prestigious national fellowships and development programs. She was named a 2023 Big South Conference Future Administrators Fellow, a program designed to support the advancement of young professionals within college athletics. In 2024, she was selected for the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship, which highlights professionals committed to enhancing equity and representation within sports media and communication. Most recently, Peay was awarded the highly competitive NACDA Grant for the 2025 Senior Administrator Mentoring Institute, affirming her place among the next generation of senior leaders in intercollegiate athletics.

These honors reflect her deep commitment to inclusive leadership, mentorship, and her broader goal of impacting collegiate athletics at a national level. Her long-term professional aspiration is to ascend to the role of athletic conference commissioner or general manager, where she aims to shape policy, foster innovation, and promote equity across institutions and student-athlete populations.

Throughout her career, Peay has championed initiatives that celebrate the student-athlete experience, engage community stakeholders, and tell compelling stories that resonate far beyond the field of play. Her ability to connect strategic communication with organizational vision has made her an asset in every role she has held.

Known for her collaborative spirit and passion for higher education and athletics, she continues to be a respected voice in the profession. Her leadership is grounded in integrity, lifelong learning, and a vision of sport as a powerful vehicle for opportunity, representation, and growth.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 11. Seasons 1- 10 and season 11 (through December 2025) can be found on 200plus.expert.

Tayllor Washington has a passion for education and sport, helping students in and out of the classroom and helping athletes on and off the field. As an Education Assistant with 49ers EDU, Tayllor assists with the planning, coordination, and execution of the 49ers EDU Home and Away program. She also has launched two brand new programs under the 49ers Foundation: Tackling Literacy and Next Up: Girls in Flag Football and STEAM.

Tayllor has a strong background in athletics and academics previously working in the community impact department with the Giants, working with the University of San Francisco Men’s Basketball team as the NIL and Events Intern, and working as a high school PE Teacher/ Assistant Athletic Director before landing her current role with the 49ers. Tayllor has always been an advocate for student-athletes in ensuring they are building a championship life beyond the game.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 11. Seasons 1- 10 and season 11 (through December 2025) can be found on 200plus.expert.

This episode is a replay from Season 9. Danielle Wright, Chief Strategist/Founder of Wright Relations, joins Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 11. Seasons 1- 10 and season 11 (through December 2025) can be found on 200plus.expert.

This episode is a replay from Season 7. Leah Brundidge, Former Asst. AD for Compliance at Southern Miss, joined Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 11. Seasons 1- 10 and season 11 (through December 2025) can be found on 200plus.expert.