BRAVE TEAM

Ashley Boles

Ashley Boles.
2020.
West River, MD.
I am my own worst enemy.
I am shining.
I am worth it.
BE purposeful.

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. Ashley is currently a Doctoral student in the Counseling, Education and Supervision program at the University of Memphis. She is a Certified Champion Influence Life Coach and professional school counselor by trade.

Jasmine Docal

Jasmine Docal.
2022.
Peru.
I am methodical.
I am the heart.
I grow.
BE light.

Jasmine (Jasi) graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied Human Development and Psychological Services while also playing on the women’s lacrosse team.  After college she worked for Brave, starting as a Youth Program Coordinator and eventually becoming the Director of Operations. In 2020, Jasi began working for the Houston Independent School District, where she was the primary mentor and advocate for 200 at-risk female students. Jasi now resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and works in college advising.  She loves traveling, surfing, scuba diving, and eating! She is passionate, has an incredible work ethic, and wakes up every day ready to CRUSH IT.

Matthew Harris

Matthew Harris.
2007.
Chicaaaaago.
I am real.
I am love.
I am a different.
BE patient.

Matthew (Matt) was born and raised in Chicago, IL and recently relocated to New York. He received his degree from Northwestern University, where he studied Learning and Organizational Change. Matt also played on the Football team, where he became a four-year starter and earned honors as an All-Big 10 player and team captain. He currently works in the venture capital industry helping to accelerate the growth of entrepreneurs and their businesses. Matt also serves as a Board member for several nonprofits that focus on education, entrepreneurship, economic mobility and enhancing the quality of life for retired athletes. He loves photography, traveling, reading, and spending time with family.

Xavyance Handfield

Xavy Handfield.
2019.
Miami, FL.
I am wellness.
I am misunderstood.
I am cool.
BE intentional.

Xavyance (Xavy) lives in Houston, Texas by way of Miami, Florida (what he calls the greatest place on earth!) He is alumnus of an HBCU (Bethune-Cookman) and he completed his graduate degree at Full Sail University, one of the world’s top media and entertainment schools. Xavy was a part of the competitive marching band scene for eight years, which in the South is just as strenuous and revered as athletics. He is an educator, empowerment speaker, and health and wellness content creator. His motto is “If you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far… go with others.”

Jessy Morgan

Jessy Morgan.
1922.
Baltimore, MD.
I am bold.
I am unique.
I am enough.
BE real.

Jessy graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in English and a minor in Drama, and received her MBA from George Mason University. At Virginia she was an All-American lacrosse player, helping lead the Cavaliers to three ACC titles and three NCAA Championship finals appearances (winning in 2004). Jessy served as the Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at George Mason University from 2014 to 2019 and she is currently the athletic director for an all-girls high school in Maryland.  She lives in Baltimore with her family and is an avid pickleball player.

Sarah Fisher

Sarah Fisher.
2015.
Denver, CO.
I explore.
I connect.
I show up.
BE intentional.

Sarah (Fish) grew up adventuring through the Green Mountains of Vermont, with lots of skiing and maple syrup. She earned a B.S. in Neuroscience at Wagner College in New York City and was a member of their D1 women’s lacrosse team. Sarah now resides in Denver Colorado with her 3-year-old pitbull retriever mix, loving the sunny days and endless outdoor opportunities. She runs marketing at Aerie Consulting, a Microsoft partner firm and has worn multiple hats for Brave since its inception in 2016.

Crista Samaras

Founder & Co-CEO - Content & Program Design

Crista Samaras.
1999.
New York City.
I am bold.
I am curious.
I surprise.
BE BOOM.

Crista graduated from Princeton University, where she was an outstanding lacrosse player. She was a three-time All American, three-time All Ivy League selection and two-time Ivy League Player of the Year. She played for the US Women’s Lacrosse Team from 1995-2007 (winning gold and silver medals at the 2001 and 2005 World Cup Games respectively). 

Prior to founding Brave Enterprises, Crista coached thousands of high school athletes for over a decade expertly weaving together the physical requirements of sport with the mental skills coaching that would serve as the foundation for the company. Passionate, intelligent, authentic and vulnerable, Crista is a master educator who is passionate about equipping students and student-athletes with the life skills needed to excel both on and off the field. Her purpose is to help people BOOM.

Roger Austin

Co-CEO - Finance & Operations

Roger Austin.
2012.
Delaware.
I am loyal.
I am family.
I make things happen.
BE aggressive.

Roger graduated from Yale with a dual major in Economics and Environmental Engineering. He went on to receive a Master of Environmental Management Degree from Duke (with a focus on Economics & The Environment). After graduate school he worked in financial services and wealth management helping clients to achieve their financial goals. He now runs a real estate company in North Carolina specializing in acquiring, renovating, remodeling and repurposing undervalued residential and commercial properties.

Roger enjoys running, hiking, cycling, gardening, drinking coffee and generally spending time outdoors. He loves the beach, spending time with his family, and all things related to Philadelphia sports. He grew up in Delaware and now lives with his family in Raleigh, NC. His passion is monetizing embedded value.

Holly Austin

Holly Austin.
2012.
North Carolina.
I am offense.
I am loyal.
I care.
BE resolute.

Holly graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from Harvard in 2001, where she rowed on the Varsity Heavyweight Crew team for four years. After graduation she returned as an assistant coach, helping to lead the team to their first ever NCAA championship in 2003. In 2015 Holly founded her own company, Ready Set Row, with the mission to “build an army of young leaders who seek challenge in spite of fear through the sport of rowing.”  She lives with her family in Raleigh, NC.

Kylie Ohlmiller

Kylie Ohlmiller.
2017.
Stony Brook University.
I work hard.
I have flair.
I am a dreamer.
BE a rockstar.

Kylie is a professional women’s lacrosse player for Athletes Unlimited (AU) lacrosse.  She played collegiately at Stony Brook University where she set the record for most career points in Division I history. Kylie was crowned “the face of women’s lacrosse” by The New York Times and “a human highlight reel” by ESPN. She has played for the US women’s national lacrosse team since 2017 and is also the founder of KO17 Lacrosse, a lacrosse company that hosts camps, clinics and provides online instruction.