For more context on Ultimate Impact and Opi’s announcement, see this Skyd feature on the organization from March 2018.
Ultimate has instilled in me a sense of confidence, empathy, conviction, work ethic, respect, and personal responsibility. These skills have equipped me to overcome challenges as well as take advantage of opportunities throughout my adulthood. I come from a low-to-middle income background and I’m grateful for the doors that ultimate has opened for me. I’ve been able to do things like play the sport at the highest levels, travel the world, build relationships with people of all different cultures and backgrounds, and tap into professional networks that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to access. At every turn, people in the ultimate community have supported me in pursuing my passions because they saw value in me as a person, athlete, teammate, and leader. More importantly, they saw my potential and encouraged me to reach for even higher goals. Ultimate has been a positive, driving force in my life.
No matter the challenges I’ve faced in my personal or professional life, I can always find my bearings in ultimate. That foundation has given me the strength to overcome difficulties and the courage to reach for my dreams. As ultimate has done for me, I think Ultimate Impact can be a source of stability, support, and community for the kids we work with. I recently joined the Ultimate Impact Board of Directors to help carry out the important work of improving the lives of youth through the sport and community of ultimate.
The Ultimate Impact team has diverse opinions, skills, and backgrounds at the helm. I’m excited to learn from and work alongside the rest of the board as we explore tough questions about how to create meaningful and lasting change as we expand our work to serve more youth across the Bay Area and beyond. Most importantly, I’m excited to help give the Ultimate Impact youth an opportunity to benefit from ultimate the way I have throughout my playing career.
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