BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Diana Riley

Retired Entrepreneur and avid golfer, Diana launched Swinging with Purpose™ in 2013 in Naples, FL.  Always involved in her community, Diana strongly believes “to whom much is given, much is required”.   Not ready to fully retire, Diana has spent the last ten (10) years building the SWP Brand and is now ready to launch SWP nationally through the trademark license initiative. Committed to serving women, girls and children, the proven golf fundraising methods are ready to be shared with non-profit organizations that are making a difference in their communities.

Linda Hitt Thatcher, Esq.

Linda is the founding and managing partner of Thatcher Law Firm. She has always advocated for women’s equality—on and off the golf course.  Most notably, Linda successfully represented women golfers in their fight against golf and country clubs for the same rights and privileges as male club members.  Her efforts led to changes in clubs’ voting, membership, and golfing rules resulting in equal treatment for female and male golfers. Linda's accomplishments are documented in “The Unplayable Lie: The Untold Story of Women and Discrimination in American Golf.” A skilled litigator and mediator, Linda has consistently been named among "Washington's Top Employment Lawyers" by Washingtonian Magazine.  Linda served as co-counsel with the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs in employment discrimination cases, and she is a permanent member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference.  An avid golfer, Linda is excited to bring her time, talents, and passion for the game to the Swinging With Purpose® mission.

Shasta Averyhardt

Shasta Averyhardt began her golf journey at the ripe age of 7.  With her passion and continued commitment, she studied and played golf at Jackson State University where she won 9 collegiate golf tournaments.  In 2011, Shasta earned her LPGA Tour card, becoming the 4th African American Woman to earn LPGA Tour Status.  During her LPGA professional career and to date, she’s won 7 tournaments, along with qualifying for the US Women’s Open.  During her time on the LPGA Symetra Tour, Shasta won the 2012 LPGA Symetra Tour Rising Star Award.  In 2014, Shasta detoured from her golf journey to explore the corporate sector.  She joined PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as a Tax Associate.  It didn’t take long before Shasta determined her true love and passion remained in the world of golf.  She returned to the golf world where she was recently inducted into the Jackson State University Sports Hall of Fame.  Shasta remains committed to the game and is growing as spokesperson, motivational and panel speaker and various other golf related initiatives.  Shasta is excited about sharing her time, tokens and talents to the mission of Swinging With Purpose®.

Jillian Johnson

Jillian is the Founder and CEO of LEGS® (Ladies Executive Golf Society), an organization that aims to empower women on and off the golf course through curating female-friendly events that cultivate strong business connections, build confidence, and inspire women to rewrite the script to reach their full potential.  After leaving her career at a publicly traded company as an Employee Benefits Consultant to pursue LEGS® full-time, Jillian spends her time passionately elevating the women around her with a vision of seeing more female CEOs and leaders to shape a better community and world. In the last year, LEGS® has served over 10,000 women, expanded to 12 different markets, and has the goal of having a LEGS® chapter in all 50 states to continue to scale its impact.

Jillian has been recognized nationally as a Rising Star in Benefits Advising, Jacksonville Chambers’ Professional Business Woman of the Year and Jacksonville Magazine’s Outstanding Volunteer. Energized by driving change and being a part of significant projects, Jillian has served as the past President of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance and Professional Development Chair for the Beaches Rotaract.  She sits on the Board of The Len Mattiace Foundation and volunteers with Community Hospice & Palliative Care.  Jillian is excited to bring her talents and time to further the mission of Swinging With Purpose®.

Hope Perez

Hope Perez is a Vice President, Retail Market Leader at Synovus Bank. In her current role she covers Lake Nona, Longwood and Lake Mary.   Hope specializes in consumer and retail commercial lending options, as well as helping her clients meet their financial goals. Hope has over 17 years of experience in banking and joined Synovus Bank in 2019.   Hope serves on several boards as a community liaison, including the Osceola Realtor Association, Lake Nona Chamber Board, local school PTO president, and on Commission 127 (providing assistance to foster families).  Hope is excited to share her time, talents and community relationships to further the mission of Swinging with Purpose®.



ADVISORY BOARD

Rose Harper

Rose is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, lecturer, adjunct professor, contributing writer to golf publications, passionate golfer, and a nationally recognized golf subject matter expert.  She is the recipient of countless awards for her lifetime achievements in business, community service, development, and in the field of sports, especially golf.  She has established herself as a golf advisor and trainer to U.S. presidents, royalty, celebrities, ambassadors, Fortune 500 CEOs, and for the underprivileged all over the US.  The key to her success is her sincere, yet savvy, networking ability and skills that she has embedded in her multilevel Art of the Deal: Golf business workshop/seminars.

Cheryl Ollila

An avid golfer and Philanthropist, early involvement and commitment to the mission of Swinging With Purpose™ led to a Board appointment in 2014.  Cheryl retired in 2009 from her career at General Motors as General Director-Labor Relations.  Cheryl’s formal education includes MBA and BBA degrees from the University of Detroit, Detroit, MI.  She successfully completed a Harvard University “Senior Executive Leadership Training Program” in Detroit, MI, Beijing and Shanghai, China and Tokyo, Japan. Cheryl continues to share her time, token and talents to the mission of SWP in an Advisory capacity.

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Kelly Cox

Kelly is co-owner of Kitchens by Clay, managing finance, marketing, and public relations for the company.  Kelly previously held the position of Vice President at Bessemer Trust Company, a private wealth management firm.  Kelly has been involved in various charitable organizations, including past volunteer work for Naples Equestrian Challenge, working directly with physically and mentally challenged riders, along with caring for the horses.  Kelly is a member of the Collier Child Care Resources “Business 100 Club” and served as Treasurer on the SWP Board of Directors.