Handshake America

I had a great time at the Handshake America Annual Assembly & Kickoff event last night! Congratulations to my daughter, Ava, and all the other class of 2025 participants. Building student-athletes into future leaders with a focus on Passion, Presence, Perseverance, Positivity, and People is mission critical for the growth we are planning in The Columbus Region. A special thanks to all of the coaches who share their time preparing these gritty student-athletes for success in life!

Handshake America President Jared Weston is thrilled to officially announce the 2025 Handshake America selections, welcoming an incredible group of student-athletes who embody grit, coachability, and a drive for success. These students are ready to learn and grow through our yearlong coaching and scholarship program, anchored in the Five Practices of Success: Perseverance, Passion, Positivity, People, and Presence. This transformative journey would not be possible without the dedicated Handshake Coaches—remarkable leaders who generously give their time, expertise, and guidance. These volunteers inspire the next generation, demonstrating leadership and life lessons that extend far beyond the field of play. A huge thank you to all of our 2025 coaches: Atlanta Coaches Lee Boudreau – Retired Micah Dean – Cortland Solomon Jackson – Norfolk Southern Brant Barrow – KPMG Ben Bernstein – Octagon Chappell Maddux – Quinn Residences Columbus Coaches Tyler J. Griggs – Huntington National Bank Dawn Hill – BDO Maurice Twomey, FCA, CPA, – Roto Joe Gavin – Elford Development Patrick Shevelson – Stonehenge Partners Cosette Strong – Strong Consulting Group Marc Doblanski – Bricker Graydon Jackie Downs, CPCU, MBA – Gallagher Morgan Masters – Albeit Masters LLC Karla Dixon – Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Michael Harrigal – Ohio Health Primary Care Devray Kirkland (He/Him/His) – Cardinal Health Kelvin Clanton, MBA, RCC – Nationwide Rob Janes – Retired, Rachel (MacLeod) Zeek – Status Solutions Network Erin H. – All Lines Technology Shane Kriss – Safelite Lauren Morr – Abercrombie & Fitch Western Carolina Coaches Barry Bishop Suzanne Clarke Mason Ellerbe - One Digital David Ellison Chris Foster - Amazon Steve Knier Jorge Morales Becky Myers Kellie Prusiecki Amanda Stahl Daniel Stoddard Mary Swain Mark Visk Every coach brings their unique perspective and dedication to shaping the future of our student-athletes and your leadership is creating ripples that will be felt for years to come. Please join us in saluting these incredible leaders and their companies for supporting our mission of coaching gritty student-athletes for success in life! #Leadership #Grit2Great #HandshakeAmerica #Impact #FutureLeaders

Brianna Castro was one of six high school student athletes selected from six different Charlotte Mecklenburg schools to participate in our inaugural Handshake America - Charlotte Coaching & Scholarship Program, in 2024. Thank you, Erin Couzens, Mason Ellerbe, and Ted Smoyer, CPA, MMP for serving as Handshake America coaches to these emerging leaders! And a big shout out to Chad Nugen for leading the charge as our volunteer regional leader! If you’re in the Queen City and want to help us coach gritty high school student athletes for success in life, comment below and we’ll be in touch! www.handshakeamerica.org

A huge thank you to our alumni, school partners, coaches, volunteers, and everyone who helped us spread the word the 2025 Handshake America program! Your support means the world to us, and we’re so grateful for the role you play in empowering student-athletes to grow in perseverance, passion, positivity, people, and presence. Let's continue to make an impact together! ?? #HandshakeAmerica?#Grit2Great

Calling all Atlanta professionals and pickleball enthusiasts! Join us for an exciting evening of Pickleball & 5Ps on November 14, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Painted Pickle! This tournament is more than just a fun event – it’s a way to connect and support Handshake America as we empower student-athletes with life-changing coaching and scholarships. Here's what to expect: ?? Pickleball Tournament ?? Lite Bites & Refreshments ?? Silent Auction Whether you're a pickleball pro or just looking for a great networking opportunity, this event is for you! Best of all, no skills or equipment are needed – just come ready for a great time! ?? Date: November 14, 2024 ?? Time: 6:00 p.m. ?? Location: Painted Pickle, 279 Ottley Dr NE, Atlanta Presented by KPMG. All proceeds will go toward Handshake America's mission to coach and support gritty student-athletes for success in life through our 5 Practices of Success: Perseverance, Passion, Positivity, People, and Presence. ?? Register today at: https://lnkd.in/e4AZfrUE

#Atlanta, get ready to serve up some fun for a great cause! ?? Whether you’re a seasoned player or a complete beginner, this event is for everyone, so grab some friends and join us! Your participation is an investment in the personal and professional development of Atlanta's high school student-athletes. ?? Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these emerging leaders! REGISTRATION LINK: https://lnkd.in/gG_zdaqF

Interested in what Handshake America is all about, especially from the coaching perspective? Stop in for our Open House Coaches Tailgate event on Thursday, September 26th, from 6:30-8:30. Feel free to RSVP or just show up! Always the more, the merrier! Handshake America is developing the leaders of tomorrow by coaching gritty student-athletes for success in life! #HandshakeAmerica

Thanks, David Balcerzak & M/I Homes, Inc., for hosting our "Academic Titans" Team Session on #Positivity. During this session, Coaches Jordan Campbell, Rob Janes, and Maurice Twomey, FCA, CPA coached their students on how a positive mindset makes them stronger, more effective, and has a ripple effect on those around them. Interested in helping #highschool #studentathletes develop a mental framework for success in life, in #Atlanta, #CentalOhio, #Charlotte, or #WesternNC ? Click the link below to learn how you can become a Handshake America Coach in 2025 -> https://lnkd.in/deJjvit

What an amazing experience at The Huddle in Western NC! Our community came together to support Handshake America, building connections between student-athletes and supporters who were once in their shoes. Huge thanks to our chairman Doug Probst and our Western NC Leadership Team for hosting this inspiring event. Your support is making a lasting impact on young athletes’ futures! #handshakeamerica #studentathletes #grit #gritness

Connecting people one Handshake at a time, since 2012! The simple idea was to create a team of like-minded and successful professionals to coach high school student-athletes by leveraging mutual appreciation for the life lessons learned through participation in athletic competition. The creation of a focused, annual program with a team-based approach would enable meaningful one-on-one coaching of high school student-athletes, without requiring an overwhelming demand of time. Explore further https://lnkd.in/eJtDZ_U