Our people are magnificent.

Crista Samaras is a force of nature—a world-class athlete turned creative powerhouse, who has spent her life helping people face fear, find clarity, and BOOM into their potential.

A standout at Princeton University, Crista made her mark as one of the greatest lacrosse players of her era: Rookie of the Year, two-time Ivy League Player of the Year, three-time All-American, and a 12-year veteran of the U.S. Women’s National Team, where she won gold and silver in World Cup Championships. In 2022, she was honored with the inaugural Legacy Award from USA Lacrosse, recognizing her lifetime of impact as a trailblazer and change agent in the sport.

In 2004, Crista founded a national lacrosse program that redefined the game for girls in non-traditional regions. Her focus wasn’t just athletic development—it was identity, confidence, and leadership. Thousands of athletes have been shaped by her honest coaching and electric belief in their potential.

In 2016, Crista turned her eye toward something bigger: bravery. She founded Brave Enterprises with a bold hypothesis—that training people to face fear directly could radically shift confidence and create a deep well of joy. Since then, Brave has worked with over 20,000 people in more than 550 sessions across the country, using science, story, and strategy to activate bravery in classrooms, boardrooms, locker rooms, and beyond.

From 2022 to 2024, Crista was the founding VP of Content & Teams at The Post, a leadership network for business leaders who were former college, Olympic or professional athletes.

Crista is warm and demanding, deeply strategic and wildly intuitive. She doesn’t just motivate—she disrupts, stirs, and transforms. Whether she’s speaking, coaching, or designing experiences, Crista Samaras is in the business of helping people brave their fear.

Jasmine (Jasi) is a systems thinker who thrives on leveraging strengths to build efficient, impactful processes. A graduate of Northwestern University, where she played D1 lacrosse, Jasi earned her degree in Human Development and Psychological Services along with a Leadership Certificate. She first made her mark at Brave as a Youth Program Coordinator, quickly rising to Director of Operations with a reputation for making things happen.

In 2020, driven by her passion for mentoring and advocacy, Jasi transitioned to the Houston Independent School District, where she served as the primary mentor and advocate for 200 at-risk female students in grades 3-12. She then spent two years in college counseling before returning to Brave in 2024 as the VP of Operations, bringing a deep commitment to optimizing systems and making an impact.

Jasi currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She loves spending time with family, traveling, working out, surfing, and eating! She is passionate, has an incredible work ethic, and wakes up every day ready to CRUSH IT.

Kylie Loftis is a builder of insights, systems, and relationships. As Lead Data Scientist, she leverages statistics and attention to detail to drive meaningful impact at Brave. As a former Division I volleyball player at Virginia Commonwealth University, she brings the same determination and resilience from the court to her craft in data science. Kylie is fueled by her love of learning and a growing curiosity. As a Lead Activator, she shows up with heart and energy. She’s passionate about getting people out of their comfort zone and views every session as an opportunity to practice bravery and build confidence with others.

Ashley is an agent of change. Her passion is helping others to understand their purpose and achieve their maximum potential by living authentically. Recognizing that perfection does not exist, Ashley aims to help others be better each day.

She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Catawba College (where she also played soccer), with a double minor in business and coaching, and her Masters of Art in Mental Health and School Counseling from Campbell University.

She is a Certified Champion Influence Life Coach and professional school counselor by trade. Ashley is a graduate of the University of Memphis Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral program where she published her dissertation on collegiate student-athlete mental health.

A former school counselor, Dr. Ashley is now the LGBTQ+ focus mental health counselor at Penn State Harrisburg. She is also seeking certification as a Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) to better prepare to work with and serve student-athletes as they compete in athletics and life.

Ricki is a servant of his community. He graduated from Georgetown University, where he studied Psychology and Mathematics, learning just as much outside the classroom as inside it. During college, he also danced with a traveling DC company and eventually became captain for the 2016–2017 season.

Today, Ricki works at the University of Chicago, supporting interdisciplinary research projects that bring bold, human-centered ideas to life. At the heart of his work is a passion for creating spaces where people can expand their limits, practice bravery, and imagine futures shaped by curiosity and collective good.

Beyond campus, you’ll find them mentoring Chicago Public Schools students, leading community building and Know-Your-Rights workshops, or getting lost in the rhythms of the Chicago house music scene.

Jodi-Kay Hylton-Senior is a woman rooted in faith, fueled by purpose, and committed to transforming lives through the power of education. Born and raised in Jamaica, she carries her culture, her faith, and her love for people into every space she enters. Now based in Florida, Jodi-Kay partners with private schools to provide K–12 interventionists, working to close academic gaps and ensure that every child, regardless of where they start, gets the chance to rise.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Florida State University and a master’s degree in education administration from Lynn University. Guided by her favorite reminder, “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, we go together”, Jodi-Kay believes deeply in collective growth and shared success.

When she isn’t championing students, you’ll find her immersed in a heartfelt romance novel, curating the perfect playlist, or sparking meaningful conversations with strangers. She stays active, stays curious, and stays committed to reminding those around her of a simple truth: we are all capable of loving boldly, living purposefully, and leaving the world better than we found it.

“Fish" grew up in Vermont, determined to learn and master lacrosse long before it was widely available to girls in her area. She played for Crista at XTEAM, the same community where Brave programming first began, and eventually earned offers to play at the Division I level. During college, she coached with XTEAM, sharing her love for the game and mentoring younger players.

Fish has been involved with Brave since its inception—interning, marketing, sales, and program delivery—wearing many hats along the way. Her favorite role is activating Brave sessions and seeing the program’s impact in real time. "There's nothing better than witnessing someone do something they thought they couldn’t—for the first time," says Fish.

By day, Fish leads the Sales & Marketing team for a Microsoft partner in Denver, CO. Outside of work, Fish is happiest outdoors: playing with her dog, skiing, mountain biking, rollerblading—just about anything that gets her in the sunshine.

Lakin is a teacher at heart with a passion for empowering women and girls through sport. She has led workshops on social-emotional learning, holistic development, and leadership. After wrapping up her professional basketball career in England and France, she earned her MBA at Durham University and returned to Dartmouth to coach the women’s basketball team. In 2022, Lakin coached the U23 USA Women’s 3x3 National Team in Constanta, Romania.

Transitioning from coaching to entrepreneurship, Lakin now focuses on building products and teams in pre-seed and seed-level startups. Currently, she serves as the right-hand to co-founder Alanna McDonald at 3XBA—the first professional women’s 3x3 basketball league in the U.S.—where, as General Manager, she oversees the roster of professional athletes and leads partnerships and event operations.

Jessy Morgan is the Athletic Director Garrison Forest. Before that, she was the Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at George Mason University. She has also served as Head Lacrosse Coach at Howard University and Assistant Coach at the University of Virginia, where she was named an All-American and won an NCAA championship as a player. At the high school level, Morgan has experience coaching volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse. A former three-sport star at McDonogh and a member of the Baltimore Lacrosse Hall of Fame, she is currently on staff as a coach for the USA Lacrosse U19 Team.

Morgan received a bachelors in English with a minor in Drama from the University of Virginia and her MBA from George Mason University, a Baltimore Native, she resides in the Garrison community with her two children, son Sargeant and daughter Saylor.

Eon was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He is the oldest of 8 and loves being a big brother and uncle. He graduated from Macaulay Honors College @ CUNY Hunter in 2013. He has been an educator for the past 12 years and enjoys empowering students and giving some tidbits of information he wish he had known when growing up. 

Currently he works for the TEAK Fellowship, a program of which he is also an alumnus of. It is an access program for gifted students of low income that introduces them to private schools.

Xav Handfield is a nationally recognized speaker, wellness advocate, and personal development coach, who brings a unique perspective to leadership, resilience, and wellness. Through engaging stories and actionable strategies, he explores how individuals can thrive academically, socially, and personally by embracing a wellness-centered approach that positively influences every area of their lives. Xav shares his journey of overcoming challenges, building sustainable habits, and fostering authentic connections, all while emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and intentional living. His sessions encourage students, faculty, and staff to rethink their approach to success, prioritize their well-being, and lead in ways that inspire both personal growth and community impact.

Monique is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) who has dedicated the past decade to supporting adolescents through some of life’s toughest transitions, particularly within the foster care system. Her work with young people has fueled her passion for creating safe, empowering spaces where individuals can build resilience, find their voice, and move toward their goals with confidence. 

That same passion inspired Monique and her husband to co-found The Well Athlete, an organization designed to help athletes strengthen not just their physical performance, but also their mental and emotional well-being. Her approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and client-centered. She believes every athlete carries a powerful story, and she focuses on helping them uncover that story while developing tools to manage stress, set meaningful goals, and thrive both in sport and beyond. 

Outside of her professional work, Monique loves exploring new foods and traveling to new places. At home, she embraces her favorite roles as mom to a lively, fun-loving toddler and wife to a high school head football coach, two titles that keep her life full of energy, laughter, and perspective.

Born and raised in Chicago, Matthew Harris is a strategist with the heart of a team captain and the mindset of a builder. A former Northwestern University Football captain and All-Big Ten athlete, he learned early how discipline, grit, and belief in team fuel both performance and purpose.

Matthew now channels that same leadership in his career in finance, education and entrepreneurship, helping create pathways for young leaders and emerging founders.

He holds a degree in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern, grounding his work in people-centered systems and impact.

At his core, Matthew leads with courage, clarity, and love — committed to building bold communities and moving bravely toward meaningful change.

Jalen Coleman-Lands was born Indiana and raised in Louisville and Indianapolis. He earned degrees in Marketing, Management Information Systems, and Sports Management from DePaul University, Iowa State University and the University of Kansas. As a Division I student-athlete in the Big Ten, Big East, and Big 12, Jalen served as team captain and co-captain, earned Cum Laude honors, was named 2016 Fighting Illini Newcomer of the Year, and helped win the 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship. He now works in Wealth Management, guiding individuals and families through strategies for retirement, equity compensation, and legacy planning.

Since college, Jalen’s aim has been to empower athletes with the knowledge and resources to achieve economic mobility, independence, and ownership—equipping them for success both during and beyond their playing careers.

He enjoys mentoring student-athletes, traveling, reading, and spending time with family.

Cory played at Princeton University, winning a National Championship.

She founded, ran, and sold Sandstorm, the largest lacrosse tournament in the history of the sport.

Currently, she lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two teenage sons.

Dr. Greer is a teacher and coach. She has a master's in counseling and a doctorate in leadership. Dr. Greer is currently in her sports mom era, with two children involved in competitive athletics and a spouse who is a coach. Along with teaching Engineering and Robotics courses at Bishop McNamara, Dr. Greer supports doctoral students at Marymount University.

Sarah Lucas is a vocal leader and changemaker. She is dedicated to ensuring those around her feel heard and empowering voices that are often overlooked. She is an undergraduate at Lehigh University competing as a Division I rower while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology on a pre-med track. Passionate about advocacy and action, she hopes to integrate her drive as an Activator into her future career in medicine.

Sarah joined Brave in 2022 at just 16 years old after experiencing firsthand the transformative impact of a Brave session. Since then, she has been committed to fostering confidence and supporting others in their Brave journey. When she’s not studying or rowing, she enjoys spending time with friends & family, drawing, reading, and writing poetry.

Katie began as a Research Analyst at Brave in 2017 and is now an Activator. She graduated from Georgetown University where she played D1 lacrosse and coached high school lacrosse around the country for 13 years.

In 2023, she set herself the Brave Goal to become a Physician Assistant, and has been accepted to PA school starting in 2026.

Katie has felt the impact of both taking and witnessing brave action in her years with Brave. She loves both the emotional boost and practical skills that Brave teaches, and her goal is to give everyone a chance to experience it for themselves.

Aisha is a college student at Hunter College, pursuing a degree in Clinical Psychology. With aspirations of becoming a child and adolescent psychologist, she’s passionate about supporting young people’s mental health and development. An avid reader and naturally outgoing, Aisha thrives on connection and curiosity, always eager to learn, grow, and make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Ramaud grew up in South Minneapolis, where being well rounded was instilled in him from a young age. Growing up a 3-sport athlete, drummer, and excellent student, he gives 100% in everything he does. While attending Northwestern University, Ramaud played Wide Receiver on the Football team, as well as being named Team Captain. Currently, Ramaud works in a number of spaces such as venture capital, consulting and entrepreneurship. At the root, Ramaud is a servant leader, aiming to guide others in their happiness and success.