What Are You Sporting About?

Whitney Holtzman is the Founder and CEO of Social Victories, a marketing and branding firm for leaders in the sports world, and author of the best-selling book “You Are the First You.” Whitney has worked for many of the top companies in the sports world, including ESPN, Turner Sports, the Tampa Bay Rays, Major League Baseball, VaynerMedia, the Ross Initiative for Sports and Equality, as well as NFL star wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

Her experience includes managing social media for all the Major League Baseball teams, as well as the league, being on the ground floor of launching ESPNW guiding digital strategy for the Miami Dolphins, and finally, as Chief Marketing Officer for Brandon Marshall, leading the marketing strategies for his football initiatives and his entities.

Her experience beyond the sports world includes working with Fortune 100 companies and focusing in on the mobile commerce space. Whitney’s focus has always been marketing brands in a unique and forward-thinking way that catches the attention of the media and consumers. She brings that expertise to Social Victories to help lead brands of all sizes to ensure they’re reaching their target demographic effectively. Relationships are everything in Whitney’s world, and she makes it her focus to ensure consumers feel a strong affirmation and loyalty to the brands with which she is working.

Connect with Whitney on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

About Sivonnia DeBarros

Sivonnia DeBarros – the Protector of Athletes – is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes in business protect their brands through collaborative partnerships, education and support necessary to carry them to the next level. DeBarros’s practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. Learn more about her services at www.prosportlawyer.com and www.sldebarros.com.

Born and raised in Argentina and currently living in France, Lucas Caneda is global team leader at Uniqorn Incubator and a professional rugby player in Sarlat Rugby. He grew up as a die-hard rugby player starting at the tender age of 5. Even though he suffered what many thought would be a career-ending knee injury, he moved to France and became a professional rugby player. After a few years in France, Lucas joined the Sarlat Rugby Team, where he met Dom Einhorn, the Founder and CEO of the UNIQORN incubator-accelerator. Lucas immediately integrated the incubator’s Rugby program where he now works as a team leader for both the incubator as well as for one of its startups, FORMATION.GG, an up-and-coming platform dedicated to eSports. A student of engineering, management and economics, self-taught in nutrition and fitness, Lucas has always had a very keen interest in business and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Lucas on Instagram, LinkedIn

About Sivonnia DeBarros

Sivonnia DeBarros – the Protector of Athletes – is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes in business protect their brands through collaborative partnerships, education and support necessary to carry them to the next level. DeBarros’s practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. Learn more about her services at www.prosportlawyer.com and www.sldebarros.com.

Beth Gardner is a former athlete, Life coach and a breast cancer survivor. She has been nationally active over the course of two decades advocating with non-profit organizations such as LiveSTRONG, Susan G. Komen and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She co-founded a Row for the Cure Chapter in Philadelphia by creating a row-a-thon along historical landmark Boat House Row. Her professional skills in Public Relations/Communications, F500 Fundraising and Event Management have been instrumentally applied to the cancer community in an effort to promote these non-profit organizations, communicate medical advancement about the disease, increase community involvement and raise corporate funding. As a Life Coach, Beth applies her existing experience, wisdom and knowledge to those in need. She offers on-on-one private coaching to individuals and family members affected by cancer and addiction.

Connect with Beth on LinkedIn

About Sivonnia DeBarros

Sivonnia DeBarros – the Protector of Athletes – is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes in business protect their brands through collaborative partnerships, education and support necessary to carry them to the next level. DeBarros’s practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. Learn more about her services at www.prosportlawyer.com and www.sldebarros.com.

Jonathan Jones is a best-selling author, 2-time TEDx speaker, and host of Beyond the Ball!

He serves and supports student-athletes and young professionals who believe in self-investing, monetizing their message, and leaving a legacy. He strives to add value to each and every audience that he has the opportunity to share making certain that they leave with tangible strategies for success.

He has been featured on CBS News and has spoken to over one hundred thousand students ranging from elementary school to college. Some of his previous clients include the University of Texas, UCONN, Vanderbilt University, the University of Louisiana Monroe, and Baylor University.

Connect with Jonathan on Instagram.

About Sivonnia DeBarros

Sivonnia DeBarros – the Protector of Athletes – is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes in business protect their brands through collaborative partnerships, education and support necessary to carry them to the next level. DeBarros’s practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. Learn more about her services at www.prosportlawyer.com and www.sldebarros.com.

Brian Luckett serves as the NJCAA Vice President for External Affairs & Development. Luckett is responsible for the NJCAA’s comprehensive development strategy and oversees NJCAA Championship TV, in addition to managing all relationships with external clients.

Before coming to the NJCAA National Office in 2018, Luckett served as the senior director of marketing and communications at Pfeiffer University, where he managed all university external affairs. Previous to joining Pfeiffer, Luckett was the associate athletic director of external affairs and corporate and donor relations coordinator at NJCAA member Patrick Henry Community College. He managed fundraising, external affairs and financial operations while at Patrick Henry, including updating the athletic department brand. Luckett began his athletic career at the University of Virginia with the university licensing program, where he managed all licensing operations and branding, in addition to working with marketing and promotions. As an undergraduate student, he worked in the Virginia Football Office as a lead student operations assistant.

Luckett has a bachelor’s degree in government and a master’s degree in higher education administration, with a concentration in collegiate athletic administration, from the University of Virginia.

Outside of the office, Luckett still lives and breathes college athletics. He is an avid Virginia Cavalier fan and cheer on the Hoos in all sports. His faith is first in his life, followed by his family and the time he spends with them. Luckily, his family loves sports and it is a great way to bring them all together.

Follow Brian on LinkedIn, Twitter, NJCAA

About Sivonnia DeBarros

Sivonnia DeBarros – the Protector of Athletes – is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes in business protect their brands through collaborative partnerships, education and support necessary to carry them to the next level. DeBarros’s practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. Learn more about her services at www.prosportlawyer.com and www.sldebarros.com.

Jacob is a former top 10 MLB draft pick and MLB player. He was drafted in the 1st round in 2009 and went on to play for the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Washington Nationals. Also, he continued his professional career internationally in South Korea where he played for the Kia Tigers.

After spending more than a decade of playing professionally, he joined Mosaic Family Wealth to help athletes, entrepreneurs, and second-generation navigate the accelerated financial arcs that come with their careers.  He is the co-founder of JL Strategic Wealth where we specialize in helping athletes, entrepreneurs, and second-generation wealth build sustainable lifestyles.

Connect with Jacob on LinkedIn

About Sivonnia DeBarros

Sivonnia DeBarros – the Protector of Athletes – is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes in business protect their brands through collaborative partnerships, education and support necessary to carry them to the next level. DeBarros’s practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. Learn more about her services at www.prosportlawyer.com and www.sldebarros.com.

Harry Swayne was born in Philadelphia and attended Rutgers University, receiving a B.S. in Sport Management. He received numerous Big East honors and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 7th round of the 1987 NFL draft. After playing defensive line for three years, he made the difficult switch in 1990 to left offensive tackle where he would play for twelve years. Harry spent the next six years as a San Diego Charger, taking them to their first ever World Championship, Super Bowl XXIX in 1994.  He would win the next two World Championships with the Denver Broncos. Harry then signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 1999 and won his third World Championship, Super Bowl XXXV. The Miami Dolphins were his final team for the 2001 season after fifteen years in the NFL. After an extensive year of training with the para-church ministry, Athletes in Action, Harry was assigned to the Chicago Bears. He served as Life Coach and Team Chaplain for five years during Head Coach Lovie Smith’s tenure. In 2008, Harry returned to the Baltimore Ravens as the Player Development Director, working closely with GM Ozzie Newsome. Harry was tasked with shaping the culture of the team by creating innovative programs and strategically engaging and utilizing partnerships with key influencers. Harry designed, built and executed programs that ensured high potential players performed consistently at the highest level of sport. He created and implemented the Ravens Mentoring Program, which became a sought-after designation for veteran players for 10 years. Additionally, Harry initiated the Ravens Rookie Orientation program which he designed to utilize solution-based research and content driven by qualitative and quantitative data. These and other programs set the Ravens apart. Harry proved that analyzing data in HR was just as profitable as analytics in strategic football. His talent acquisition duties within the personnel department included 90+ face to face interviews in which Harry identified character traits consistent with organizational goals. Harry’s narrative reports to the GM, Ozzie Newsome, both helped to forecast workforce planning and inform program changes. During his time with the Ravens, Harry’s programs, including his “Bring the Upstairs Down” (BUD) initiative (which educated employees on benefits, insurance grievances, payroll, union matters, 401k, etc.) greatly influenced the culture of the team and the organization. His robust and comprehensive programs are driven by a holistic approach.  People perform at high levels when they are situated as teammates, friend, and co-workers invested relationally. Many with knowledge of my programming agree with Troy Vincent, VP NFL Operations, that “Harry’s department is the benchmark of Player Engagement.” Harry participated in and won the Wharton School of Executive Education (2012) competition. He led a group of six other NFL franchises and won by utilizing feedback in the milieu as a networking strategy for Career Development. Harry completed his Masters in Human Service Counseling (2018) at Liberty University. 

Connect with Harry on LinkedIn

About Sivonnia DeBarros

Sivonnia DeBarros – the Protector of Athletes – is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes in business protect their brands through collaborative partnerships, education and support necessary to carry them to the next level. DeBarros’s practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. Learn more about her services at www.prosportlawyer.com and www.sldebarros.com.

Michael is a partner in The Brain Injury Law Firm®, De Caro & Kaplen, located in New York and representing victims of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other injuries caused by vehicle collisions, pedestrian, unsafe buildings and construction sites and medical malpractice throughout the nation.

Michael is board certified as a Civil Trial Advocate and board certified in medical malpractice litigation.  He is Professorial Lecturer in Law, The George Washington University Law School, The Legal Aspects of Traumatic Brain Injury and chairs the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council.

He was a participant in the 2014, White House Healthy Kids & Safe Sports Concussion Summit.  He is past Chairman of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Automobile, Highway and Premise Liability Section, Past Chairman of the AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group and president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State.

Michael has been selected a New York Super Lawyer for the last 14 years and named as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in New York State by the American Association of Trial Lawyers.

Connect with Attorney Kaplen: LinkedIn

About Sivonnia DeBarros

Sivonnia DeBarros – the Protector of Athletes – is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes in business protect their brands through collaborative partnerships, education and support necessary to carry them to the next level. DeBarros’s practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. Learn more about her services at www.prosportlawyer.com and www.sldebarros.com.

John Sovec is a therapist/coach with a private practice in Pasadena California who works with clients on career transitions, goal setting, and motivation. He is the clinical consultant for The Life Group LA, adjunct faculty at Phillips Graduate Institute and guest lecturer at Alliant University and USC School of Social Work. He is also a member of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

John is the author of multiple publications, an internationally recognized speaker, and maintains a private practice. He is a respected trainer and presenter in the corporate, educational and non-profit sectors with over thirty-years of experience.

John has designed professional training models and seminars for the Walt Disney Company, Paramount Studios, Pandemic Studios, Electronic Arts, and Washington Mutual, His work has been featured on The Ricki Lake Show, OWN, Bravo, FOX, Cheddar, The Advocate, KTLA, ABC, LA Talk Radio, The Washington Post and columns for Huffington Post and Good Therapy.

Connect with John Sovec on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter

About Sivonnia DeBarros

Sivonnia DeBarros – the Protector of Athletes – is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes in business protect their brands through collaborative partnerships, education and support necessary to carry them to the next level. DeBarros’s practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. Learn more about her services at www.prosportlawyer.com and www.sldebarros.com.

Tadeo is a tri-Lingual (Portuguese, Spanish and English) X Pro Brazilian Soccer Player, who is a highly sought-after fitness trainer and International Fitness Guru. Tadeo trains everyday people, D1 soccer players, high school athletes, basketball players and celebrities like Kerry Washington, Jesse Metcalf, Debbie Allen and many more.

Tadeo founded Cuerpaso which combines Brazilian dance moves and soccer driven techniques, making it fun and exciting. Cuerpaso is ranked the #3 Workout Program in USA and the techniques taught by Tadeo have been featured on the Today Show. Also, he has appeared on Fox, NBC, Telemundo, Huffington Post, PopSugar, Shape and MSN.

Tadeo developed D1 Pro Training online program to help high school athletes excel and prepare for a possible D1 collegiate career. The program includes workouts, nutrition, and mental component.

Connect with Tadeo on LinkedIn; Instagram; YouTube

About Sivonnia DeBarros

Sivonnia DeBarros – the Protector of Athletes – is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes in business protect their brands through collaborative partnerships, education and support necessary to carry them to the next level. DeBarros’s practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. Learn more about her services at www.prosportlawyer.com and www.sldebarros.com.