Auxiliary Board
The Auxiliary Board is a group of young professionals dedicated to building the next generation of supporters for MetroSquash. They are committed to the organization’s mission, serve as engaged volunteers, spread the program’s message of impact, and contribute their resources.
Executive Committee
Jack Denison - Co-President
Supervisor, Publicis Collective
Sara Thomas - Co-President
Investment Banking Analyst,
Morgan Stanley
Matt Cermak - Fundraising Co-Chair
Commercial Account Manager,
Chicago Title
Patrick Schenk - Fundraising Co-Chair
Kayland Jones - DEI Chair
Treasury Advisor, BMO Bank
Nikhil Etikela - Engagement Chair
Commercial Strategy, Morning Consult
Miaya Kelley - Programming Chair
James Watkins - Volunteer Chair
Head of Marketing Strategy,
The Economist
Alex Dodson
Ameer Allaudeen
Avi Mahajan
Cameron Warren
Caroline Ahearne
Caroline Dolan
Chris Fuller
Creighton Foulkes
Emily Ruan
Genevieve Dolan
Holly Meers
Jack Tavenner
James McIntosh
Jerel Keels
Joe Steadman
John Grissom
Joseph Whalen
Juan Evereteze
Karl Grabbi
Lindsay Curran
Margaux Harrold
Michael Diaz
Mike Masius
Nick Lawler
Nick Malinowski
Philip Rooney III
Richard Siegler
Auxiliary Board Members follow the 3 C’s of Engagement: Connected, Competent, and Contributing
Members are Connected.
An Auxiliary Board member must feel connected to the mission and values of MetroSquash. A member should understand why they support this organization and what aspects they can relate to. This also means a member should be present at Auxiliary Board meetings and events as well as MetroSquash functions like the annual Gala and Cup.
Members are Competent.
All members should be knowledgeable about the program model and aware of the impact MetroSquash has on the youth. Members should be able to accurately share this message with others not familiar with the program. If people have questions, a member should be able to answer or provide the appropriate resource.
Members are Contributing.
All members contribute their time and money to ensure our program continues to thrive. The minimum yearly dues are $300 which is just $25 a month. In addition, members contribute their time by volunteering on the squash courts and in the classrooms, becoming a mentor to a student, and helping with career preparation.
If you are interested in joining the Auxiliary Board, please fill out an application here and an executive committee member will follow-up with you.
Matt Cermak – Fundraising Co-Chair
Commercial Account Manager, Chicago Title
Matt grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago and attended Saint Patrick High School. Matt is an avid squash player and was introduced to MetroSquash through his membership involvement at The University Club of Chicago. For the last seven years, Matt has been a Commercial Account Manager in Chicago Title’s National Commercial Division. Matt currently serves on several high profile boards in Chicago and is excited to be serving as the Fundraising Chair for the Auxiliary Board. Matt played NCAA Division 1 golf at Missouri State University and is still an avid golfer.
Nikhil Etikela – Engagement Chair
Commercial Strategy, Morning Consult
Nikhil Etikela is from Hamden, Connecticut, and attended Hopkins School before earning both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Chicago. He works in commercial strategy at Morning Consult, where he helps clients navigate market trends and consumer insights. Nikhil has been involved with MetroSquash since 2019, volunteering to support students on the court. A lifelong racket sports enthusiast, he enjoys playing squash, tennis, and golf in his free time, as well as exploring Chicago’s food scene.
Miaya Kelley – Programming Chair
Middle School Academic Coordinator, MetroSquash
Miaya Kelley serves as the Middle School Academic Coordinator for 3rd-6th grade at MetroSquash Woodlawn. She is proud to be a MetroSquash alumna from the Class of 2016 After graduating from Josephinum Academy in May 2016, Miaya went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from Alabama A&M University in May 2020. Before returning to MetroSquash, she worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at Chicago Public Schools and later gained experience in the CPS Talent Office, specifically in the ADA department. Miaya is now in her third year at MetroSquash as a coordinator and currently serves as the Co-Programming Chair on the Auxiliary Board. Miaya has truly enjoyed meeting everyone on the Auxiliary Board and connecting over a shared passion for serving youth and is hopeful for what’s to come.
James Watkins, Volunteer Chair
Head of Marketing Strategy, The Economist
James Watkins is the Head of Marketing Strategy at The Economist, where he gets to indulge his obsession for news and global affairs with his background in digital marketing across various roles in the media and entertainment industry. Having played (and coached) squash for several years as a junior in the UK, he joined the squash team at Harvard University, and played league squash in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle before landing in Chicago. He started out with MetroSquash by volunteering as a coach for the Evanston program while his wife attended Kellogg Business School, and now regularly volunteers at the Woodlawn location having moved to downtown Chicago. He enjoys sharing his love for the game and giving back to the local community, and is excited to be part of the Aux Board to help the organization continue to grow and support more students and families.
Sara Thomas – Co-President
Investment Banking Analyst, Morgan Stanley
Sara is a senior at the University of Chicago with a background in Economics and Molecular Engineering. She will be joining Morgan Stanley as an investment banking analyst after graduation. She got involved with MetroSquash in high school through mentoring and coaching students, and has loved supporting the program on the Auxiliary Board for the past few years. In her free time, Sara enjoys getting on court with friends, running, and hiking.
Patrick Schenk – Fundraising Co-Chair
Senior Associate, Jones Lang LaSalle
Pat Schenk serves as the co-chair of the Fundraising Committee for MetroSquash’s Auxiliary Board. Pat is active in the squash community and enjoys playing singles and doubles at the University Club of Chicago. Pat has supported MetroSquash in several capacities over the last two years and looks forward to growing the fundraising capacity of the Auxiliary Board through his role on the executive committee. Pat works at Jones Lang LaSalle’s Global Headquarters in Chicago, where he helps corporate office tenants negotiate complex lease transactions in Chicago’s Central Business District and in other major metro areas across the country. Pat enjoys playing golf, squash, skiing, and traveling with his friends and family.
Jack Denison – Co-President
Supervisor, Publicis Collective
Jack grew up in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Advertising. He currently works in media planning and strategy at Publicis Collective. In addition to MetroSquash, Jack is actively involved in a variety of organizations, including St. Chrysostom’s Church, where he serves on the Vestry. In his free time, Jack enjoys playing squash, golf, competing in bar trivia, and attending Chicago Cubs games.
Kayland Jones – DEI Chair
Treasury Advisor, BMO Bank
Kayland is from the South Side of Chicago and works at BMO Bank as a Treasury Advisor. She graduated from Spelman College with a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Food Studies. Outside of her work with squash, she is a Girl Scout Troop Leader, mentor with iMentor Chicago, and very active in her church, Trinity United Church of Christ. Kayland enjoys watching television shows and hanging out with her friends exploring Chicago.
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