DJ is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit, private school, and public sectors. Most recently he was the Chief Program Officer for the New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL), a tennis-based organization that provides comprehensive after school programming in NYC. He was also the Executive Director of Kids Creative where he worked with underserved communities in NYC by supporting school partners through educational, arts based, and recreational after school programs.

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Fun Fact: 

dj@ngtenniseducation.org

A native of Kenya, David began playing tennis at the age of 13 years. He was #1 at the University of Nairobi, Kenya from 1989-1992 and a singles finalist at the East African University games in 1992. He was a tour coach and manager of the Junior ITF (International Tennis Federation) Africa team that competed in South Africa, Botswana, Malawi and Zimbabwe from 1994 to 1997. David earned a master’s degree in Sports management and Physical Education from Springfield College in Massachusetts in 2000. He is a PTR Certified teaching Professional. David has been with Grassroots since the year 2000. He is married and has 3 children who love tennis.

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Fun Fact: David enjoys eating halal goat meat

david@ngtenniseducation.org 

Skyler is an educator with a passion for creativity and classroom inclusivity. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education in Literacy from Pace University. She previously was a classroom teacher in the Danbury Public School system and at Eagle Hill School in Greenwich. Her hobbies include writing, painting, doing puzzles, playing board games, and spending time with her family, including her two dogs. . 

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Fun fact: Skyler can touch her tongue to her nose.

skyler@ngtenniseducation.org 

Coach TC is from Norwalk, born and raised. He started in the Norwalk Grassroots Tennis program in 1996 and hasn't stopped playing tennis ever since. He’s been a certified Teaching Pro Since 2010, and worked at tennis clubs such as New Canaan Racquet Club, Woodway Country Club of Darien and Chelsea Piers. TC is also the coach of the Brian Mcmahon High School Varsity Boys tennis team for the last three years. He has been an active member of the awesome Grassroots staff since 2021.  

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Fun Fact: TC has portable index fingers! 

antonio@ngtenniseducation.org 

Anaelle is an Alum of Grassroots and started playing tennis with GTE at the age of 10. She has now graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelors of the Arts in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Sociology. She has previous work experience with the program as she worked as a JTT Coach during her high school years and worked as a Summer Camp Counselor for two summers during her college years. Anaelle has always appreciated what GTE stands for and the wonderful environment of the program. In her spare time, she loves spending time with herself, whether it is to run errands, have a relaxing day reading or watching her favorite shows, or staying active. Anaelle loves to use that time to focus on herself. 

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Fun Fact: Anaelle can pogo stick with no hands.

anaelle@ngtenniseducation.org

Nita has worked in marketing, sales and public relations helping to grow companies in business development. Along the way she has been very involved in fundraising since high school raising money, running PTA’s, major gala’s, volunteers and events to help nonprofits grow. Taking her business development, she is helping Grassroots with the fundraising and development. She has played tennis since childhood and realizes the importance of sports & education for growth and empowerment. Nita has a BS degree from Boston College Carroll School of Management, is married and enjoys entertaining, book clubs, her family and dog.

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nita@ngtenniseducation.org

Luis is an Alum of Grassroots and started playing tennis around the age of 6. While in the program. Luis Graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Manhattanville college where he also played tennis. While playing college tennis, he played in conference championships, winning one and appearing in the NCAA tournament. Luis also enjjoys horror movies and all things halloween. Luis would love to show photos of his three cats to anyone who asks (or will offer to without any reason). 

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Fun Fact: Luis is an Artist

luis@ngtenniseducation.org

Megan is so excited to be part of the Grassroots Team! She has worked in the non-profit sector for more than ten years and holds a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Fairfield University. Megan brings more than three years of proposal and grant writing experience to Grassroots. Additionally, Megan has worked in public relations, film/television, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from The Catholic University of America. She is also a former swim coach and teacher as well as a performer. In her spare time, Megan enjoys writing, singing, yoga, swimming, volunteering for causes she believes in and spending time with her nephews.

Fun Fact: Megan was in the chorus of an opera.

Quote: “You can’t climb uphill, thinking downhill thoughts.”

megan@ngtenniseducation.org

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”

- Arthur Ashe

“Start each day with a grateful heart.”

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"As a Tennis player, you have to get used to losing every week. Unless you win the tournament, you always go home a loser. But you have to take the positive out of a defeat and go back to work. Improve to fail better."

- Stan Wawrinka

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“Life waits for no one." 

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“Experience should be a plus as long as it doesn't become complacency. If you say, 'We're not going to change; we didn't do it that way before,' then you've become too old.

- Marv Levy