We’re Back – With a New Location!
The Band Is Getting Back Together in North Carolina. Don’t Miss It!
PAADS is excited to announce that the 2026 Athlete Development Summit will take place May 4–6, 2026, at the NASCAR R&D Center (7010 W Winds Blvd NW, Concord, NC).
We’re also bringing back the 9th Annual Athlete Development Research Symposium on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 11–5 PM in Concord, NC. The Symposium will be held in conjunction with the 20th Athlete Development Summit, ALL DAY May 5th and 6th, 2026—making this a week you won’t want to miss.
Dates to Remember:
Research Symposium: May 4, 2026
Athlete Development Summit: May 5–6, 2026
Be part of both events for the full experience!
If you are a board member, global partner, member, or Summit speaker, email Stephanie Thorburn (steph@paads.org) to receive your discount code.
Questions?Email Stephanieand she’ll be happy to help!
2026 Athlete Development Participant Packet
MEMBERS:
Send us an email to request your 2026 Summit discount code!
The PAADS Athlete Development Research Symposium is held a day before the start of the Summit and provides attendees with an opportunity to gain valuable scientific insights from the various academic disciplines that conduct research on athlete development.
This option grants access to both the Symposium and the Summit.
Join the Summit live stream on May 5th & 6th.
3 day research symposium and summit live stream access. May 4-6th, 2026.
IMPORTANT DETAILs
suggested hotels
**Shuttle will be provided to and from these hotels (may be a short walk)
Homewood Suites by Hilton Concord Charlotte **
7300 Scott Padgett Pkwy, Concord, NC 28027, (980) 313-3100Courtyard by Marriott Charlotte Concord **
7201 Scott Padgett Pkwy, Concord, NC 28027, (704) 453-2600Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Concord Golf Resort & Spa **
5400 John Q. Hammons Dr NW, Concord, NC 28027, (704) 455-8200Residence Inn by Marriott Charlotte Concord **
7601 Scott Padgett Pkwy NW, Concord, NC 28027, (704) 454-7862
Tru by Hilton Concord Charlotte **
5355 John Q. Hammons Dr NW, Concord, NC 28027, (704) 456-7951Hampton Inn & Suites, Concord, Charlotte
89850 Weddington Rd Ext., Concord, NC 28027, (704) 979-5600Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Concord (Kannapolis), NC
580 Dickens Pl NE, Concord, NC 28025, (980) 248-1420Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cocord by IHG
2491 Wonder Drive Northeast, Kannapolis, NC, 28083, (704) 743-1080Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte/Concord
7831 Gateway Ln NW, Concord, NC 28027, (704) 979-2900
AIRPORTS:
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Concord-Padgett Regional Airport
Mid-Carolina Regional Airport (RUQ)
LOCATION:
NASCAR R&D Center
7010 W Winds Blvd NW, Concord, NC
Local Considerations
Bars
Old Charlotte Pub
West Loop Local
Tipsy Hare Ciderworks
Gaelic Alley Irish Pub
Vibez Bar & Grill
The Market Bar
Michael Waltrip Taproom
The Blind Fox
restaurants
44 Mils Kitchen & Tap
Village Corner COmfort Kitchen & Bar
BIRRITACO
Grounds & Vine
Johnny’s Farmhouse Restaurant
Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe
Iron Thunder Saloon & Grill
to do
Truist Field
Mint Museum
Belk Theater
US National Whitewater Center
Sullenberger Aviation Museum
Freedom Park
Romare Bearden Park
SouthPark— Shopping/Restaurants
Optimist hall
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Camp North End
Victory Lane Indoor Karting
Light rail South End
Charlotte FC game
topics & SPeakers
With a strong background in intelligence, counter-terrorism and homeland security, including as the Director of two Australian intelligence agencies, Shane founded Social Protect to combat online abuse, leveraging technology to protect users from harm on social media. While working as a counter-terrorism operative, he was deployed to 47 countries to build counter-terrorism capability and conduct clandestine operational activity against al-Qa’ida. After becoming a Director of the Australian security service, Shane was promoted to Parliamentary Intelligence Advisor before leaving public service to pursue a career in the private sector, including establishing his own counter-terrorism consulting firm and volunteering as CEO of Crime Stoppers International between 2020 to 2025. Since establishing Social Protect in 2022, the company has worked with leagues, clubs, associations and athletes worldwide to give automated, real-time protection from online abuse, deleting more than 13 million abusive comments in 2025 alone.
Maura Attardi serves as director of sports education of at MMI, with a focus on athletes. She has built a reputation as a trusted financial education partner in the field of professional and collegiate sports. These partnerships have included a relationship with NFL Player Engagement, Major League Soccer, ongoing services provided to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and collaboration with the National Hockey League Players Association as well as NASCAR and numerous colleges and universities throughout the US. Maura’s areas of expertise include: athlete financial education, psychology and trauma of money, financial communication, organizational financial wellness, and financial wellness platforms.
Kristi Dosh is a former practicing attorney who is now a sports business contributor for Forbes and the founder of Business of College Sports®. She has written on the business of college sports for more than a decade for outlets such as ESPN, Fox Sports, The Washington Post, and Sports Business Journal. In addition to her reporting, Kristi is the author of two books on the business of college sports: Saturday Millionaires: How Winning Football Builds Winning Colleges and The Athlete’s NIL Playbook: The Complete Guide to Owning and Profiting from Your Name, Image, and Likeness. She is also a consultant for athletic departments, universities and NIL collectives on matters ranging from strategic planning to conference realignment and navigating the new name, image, and likeness landscape. Currently, Kristi teaches courses at the University of Florida on sports law, college sports, and NIL in undergraduate and graduate programs in the Journalism, Public Relations, Sport Management and Law programs, in addition to an NIL certificate through UF’s Institute for Coaching Excellence.
Kristen Cunliffe is a UK based financial planner, specialist educator and certified financial coach with over 12 years’ experience working at the intersection of money, wellbeing and performance. Her work focuses on financial literacy for professional athletes and high-performance environments, helping individuals and organisations understand how money, identity and behaviour collide under pressure. With a background in regulated financial planning, Kristen brings practical, real-world insight grounded in an understanding of professional sport, while always keeping the human side front and centre. Kristen’s approach is trauma-informed and values-led, shaped by years of supporting clients navigating career transitions, injury, sudden wealth, family dynamics and the emotional weight that often sits quietly behind financial decisions. She is passionate about making financial education accessible, non- judgemental and psychologically safe, particularly in environments where stigma and silence can be barriers to support. Through her work, Kristen advocates for financial literacy as a core pillar of player care; not just as a technical skill, but as a vital part of long-term wellbeing and life beyond sport.
Donovan Williams is a NASCAR Tire Carrier in his fourth season with Hendrick Motorsports, competing at the highest level of professional motorsports. Known for his discipline, precision, and team-first mentality, Donovan brings an elite athletic background and business acumen to one of the fastest and most demanding roles in racing. Before entering NASCAR, Donovan played Division I football at the University of Connecticut (2016–2019), where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communication. He later continued his athletic and academic career at Elon University (2020–2021), earning his MBA from the prestigious Martha and Spencer Love School of Business while competing on the football field. Throughout his journey—from collegiate athletics to professional motorsports—Donovan has embraced challenges, adapted to new environments, and learned from diverse leaders and teammates. His path reflects resilience, continuous growth, and the understanding that the athlete experience is multifaceted—demanding excellence not only physically, but mentally and strategically as well.
Father of 5, Married 22 years, Lead Pastor, Photographer and business owner. Retired musician and current wellbeing & people specialist.
Tom Bryant, a native of Grand Bay, Alabama, is the Vice President of Racing Operations for NASCAR. A graduate of The University of Alabama, Tom was commissioned as an Infantry Officer and served more than 21 years in the United States Army. He led soldiers from the platoon to the battalion level, including multiple combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq in both conventional and Special Operations units. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Tom and his elite wife of 30 years, Erin, have two children: Sarah Grace is a Neuro-Trauma nurse and TJ is an Air Force Special Warfare Operator.
Shelley Lyle is the Director of Engaged Learning and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Sport Management at the University of Florida, where she teaches the Athlete Development graduate course and the PAADS Athlete Development Specialist Certificate program. A former University of Florida soccer player, she spent twelve years working in athlete development roles before transitioning into academia. Shelley also founded an integrative coaching business that helps athletes navigate challenging life transitions such as career change, identity shifts, trauma, and injury.
Brian D. Avery brings a practical, real-world lens to learning, leadership, and development. With more than 30 years of experience across sport, events, attractions, and tourism, he is a professor, consultant, and nationally recognized expert in risk, decision-making, and applied learning. Brian is known for turning complex ideas into usable strategies that help people think better, respond smarter, and lead with intention. As a featured contributor on the History Channel’s Hazardous History, he examines what goes wrong, why it goes wrong, and what professionals can do differently moving forward. His work sits at the intersection of education, accountability, and innovation, with a focus on building better systems for learning and development in the environments where performance actually happens.
Jeremy Kelley is a former professional athlete and front office executive entering his tenth season in the National Football League. A native of Buffalo, New York, he attended the University of Maine, where he served as a team captain for the football program and graduated with honors in Kinesiology and Biomechanics. Deeply committed to his hometown community, Kelley gives back through his annual “Why Not You” Football Camp and serves on the board of the Golisano Children’s Hospital Foundation. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Kelley is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School.
John Wilson is the Director of Player Engagement at Charlotte Football Club, where he supports players across the First Team, Crown Legacy (MLS NEXT Pro), and Academy. He is passionate about helping athletes win on and off the field through holistic development, meaningful relationships, and consistent habits. A former professional and collegiate soccer player, John brings both lived experience and a people-first approach to athlete development.
Melanie Holguin serves as Senior Coordinator of the Drug, Health, and Safety Programs for Latin America at Major League Baseball’s Dominican Republic office. In this role, she leads initiatives focused on player health, performance-enhancing drugs prevention, drugs of abuse, and mental wellbeing education for professional baseball players in the Dominican Republic and other Latin countries. A lawyer with master’s degrees in Family Law and Administrative Law, Melanie also brings over a decade of experience in the Dominican Republic’s public sector. She is also a professor in the master’s program in Administrative Law and Public Management at Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña and teaches Constitutional Law at Instituto Politécnico Loyola.
I’m Felipe Martins, a former professional footballer with a 17-year career competing at the highest levels of the game, including 14 seasons in Major League Soccer. Throughout my journey, I had the privilege of representing clubs such as Orlando City, New York Red Bulls, Vancouver Whitecaps, D.C. United, Montreal Impact, and Austin FC, while also experiencing football in Europe. Those years shaped not only my understanding of the game, but my identity as a leader, competitor, and professional. Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of athletes across different stages of their journey, helping them build confidence, consistency, and a winning mentality. My mission is to translate everything I’ve lived and learned at the highest level into real impact on and off the field. Today, I’m committed to building environments where mentality meets development, and where the next generation is empowered to rise with purpose, clarity, and strength.
Erika Kegler is the Director of Player Development at the ATP Tour, the governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit. With over 30 years of experience, she has taken on a broad range of responsibilities, all aimed at delivering customized services for world-class athletes. Erika holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Florida. In her current role at the ATP, Erika is instrumental in developing and implementing comprehensive enrichment initiatives for world-class professional athletes, elite junior athletes, coaches, and alumni. These programs include professional and personal development workshops, continuing education opportunities, and career transition services. Among her many professional highlights, Erika was honored in Great Britain at the inaugural Tennis Black List Awards, in recognition of her distinguished contributions to the tennis industry. Erika is the National President of FSU Black Alumni and sits on the National Board of Directors for the FSU Alumni Association. She also serves on the University of North Florida's College of Education and Human Services Dean’s Advisory Council, the UNF Sport Management Advisory Council, and the Professional Association of Athlete Development Specialists Board of Directors. Additionally, she is often invited to speak to college students who are interested in careers in the sports industry. A native of Jacksonville, Erika supports several nonprofit organizations devoted to uplifting the community and serves on the Advisory Board for the Johnson Family YMCA.
Francesca Del Monte is the Manager of Player Engagement at MLS HQ. Francesca’s expertise extends to facilitating the logistics of Player Engagement programming, where she assists in orchestrating events and initiatives to foster a strong sense of community and connection among MLS players, along with off the field player development initiatives. Francesca has particularly enjoyed managing the League Access Program, which is designed for players to come to the league office for a day of pre-arranged meetings with several staff members. Francesca's journey in the sports industry began at the National Basketball Association, where she finely honed her skills in onboarding and employee development. Of Uruguayan and Colombian descent, Francesca is very proud of her Latinx background and is particularly proud of her B.A. in Social Relations Policy from Michigan State University, and her M.S. in Human Resources Development and DEI from Villanova University.
Anita Hossain Choudhry is the Co-founder and CEO of The Grand, a leadership development platform and community trusted by NBA players, tech founders, and global leaders. A seasoned executive coach and former Head of Knowledge at First Round Capital, she has dedicated her career to helping leaders get unstuck and reach their full potential. Anita is a Wharton MBA, a Georgetown alum, and has been recognized by Inc. Magazine, Forbes, and Fast Company for her impact on leadership and equity.
Kameron Roach serves as the Director of Student-Athlete Development at Charlotte Athletics, where she leads life skills programming, NIL education, and holistic development initiatives for more than 450 student-athletes. As a former Division I women’s basketball student-athlete from Hopkins, SC, Kameron’s own injury experiences shaped her passion for helping athletes discover their identity beyond sport. She is committed to empowering student-athletes to take ownership of their personal, professional, and post‑college transitions.
Willy Whitelaw is in his seventh season with the New England Revolution and his third year as the club’s Player Care Liaison. In his role, Whitelaw assists Revolution players and families with all matters off the pitch to optimize the players’ experiences and wellbeing during their time in New England. Additionally, he supports many facets of the player experience including logistics, housing, and transportation. Whitelaw, a New Jersey native, originally joined the Revolution ahead of the 2020 season as a Social Media Lead, where he elevated the Revolution’s online and digital footprints while helping grow the brands of the club and the players. Whitelaw was promoted to Social Media Manager in 2022, before moving to his new role in 2024. Prior to his tenure in New England, Whitelaw held similar roles with additional media relations responsibilities for various clubs, including Rayo OKC, Virginia Beach City FC, New York Cosmos and Red Bull New York. His career has spanned six different organizations across the American soccer landscape. Whitelaw also served as the Social Media Manager for the National Premier Soccer League from 2017-18. A former varsity basketball player at Champion Christian College in Arkansas, Whitelaw earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management in 2016. Whitelaw held an internship with Rayo OKC in his senior year, before moving into a full-time role with the club upon graduation. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Felicia Mohr works in operations within the NBA’s Engagement group and oversees process improvement initiatives, serves as a project manager and manages data strategies. Before the NBA, Felicia spent over 11 years in the startup and tech world operationalizing new product launches and managing a team of data collection experts. Felicia lives in Brooklyn, NY with her partner and her rescue dog where she loves traveling, reading and trying every burger spot in NYC. Steven Garbarino is a digital strategist and product leader with experience across the NBA, the National Gallery of Art and large national institutions. At the NBA, he leads operations and digital strategy for Player Engagement, supporting players throughout their journeys. Steven lives on Long Island with his wife, son and two cats (Belly and Larry Bird).
Space is Limited
Questions?
Contact steph@paads.org
