Leadership
The United States Volt Hockey Association board consists of volunteers who are involved with the association in different aspects of the sport. Coaches, players, disability non-profit leaders, university researchers, and more all serve on the board in order to provide a well-rounded view of how we can move forward as the country's central organizational body for volt hockey.
Marley Robinson, President
Marley, a software engineer, discovered volt hockey during her final year of college at Northeastern University while she was in the midst of establishing the university’s first disability advocacy club, Diversability. She quickly became involved with the sport, first by joining the Boston Whiplash team as a founding player, and now also as a board member of the USVHA and the Boston Self Help Center. As someone with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, she is driven to grow the sport here in the United States to provide people with similar disabilities an opportunity to participate in competitive sports.
Avery Melam, Vice President
Avery is an undergraduate student at Northeastern University, where she first got involved with volt hockey through research at the Institute for Health Equity and Social Justice Research. In addition to working with volt hockey, she is a dedicated pre-medical student and an Emergency Medical Technician that works at Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc. As a member of the deaf community, she has always been immersed in the disability community and strives to increase accessibility and awareness for all.
Amy Brown, Secretary
Amy is an attorney and an accessibility consultant. She is a proud volt hockey mom to her son who plays for the Boston Whiplash. Her son's diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) drives her passion to advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. She works with town planners, school administrators, and recreational facilities to create more inclusive and accessible spaces. Amy supports adaptive sports and recreation and sits on the board of the Boston Self Help Center. You can often find Amy using adaptive equipment, so her son can join her on camping trips, trail hikes, and bicycle rides.
Amanda Bell, Treasurer
Amanda, a bioinformatician deeply committed to volunteering and activism, was introduced to volt hockey through a Northeastern University volunteering opportunity with the Boston Self Help Center (BSHC). After dedicating a year and a half to assisting the Boston Whiplash team, she stepped up to help coach and manage the team. Through her coaching and collaboration with the board, she aspires to make volt hockey and other adaptive sports universally accessible. Her overarching goal is to ensure that everyone has opportunities to explore and pursue their life passions.
Laura Calderón
Laura is a software engineer that encountered volt hockey through a Diversability club event while a student at Northeastern University. Initially a dedicated volunteer, Laura has now transitioned to coaching the Boston Whiplash team. Laura is committed to supporting the development and growth of players and promoting inclusivity. A passionate "people person", her ultimate goal is to empower current and future volt hockey players both athletically and personally, helping them find community and reach their fullest potential.
Kim Damato
Kim is an experienced sales professional who has dedicated 30 years of her career to selling medical equipment for her family's company, Rehabilitation Equipment Associates. Over the years, she has built a strong reputation in the industry and has developed a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by healthcare providers and their patients. In her free time, Kim volunteers for volt hockey and power soccer which highlights her compassion and dedication to making a positive difference in her community for individuals with disabilities.
Jim Farrow
After a distinguished thirty-two-year career as a public-school history teacher, Jim retired to further his extensive community service work. Prior to his career as an educator, he studied at Suffolk School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor degree and honing his skills as a mediator and negotiator. He is the Vice President of the Mission Hill Health Movement and serves on the board of the Boston Self Help Center. Additionally, Jim coaches the Commonwealth Cruisers power wheelchair soccer team, demonstrating his commitment to inclusivity and sportsmanship.
Desi Forte
Desi is the Youth Program Manager at Easterseals MA, helping to grow youth programs centered around empowering youth with disabilities through leadership as well as mentoring. Desi is also an active member of the disability community. Through both her work and advocacy she is passionate about furthering disability rights and equality. She is an active volt hockey player with the Boston Self Help Center. With limited recreation opportunities for adults with physical disabilities, she got involved with the association in hopes of expanding the sport.
Helena Liedtke
There are 3 things we all have in common regardless of ability - we want to BELONG, to be HEARD and to be LOVED. After her daughter was born with a physical disability, Helena started Space2Thrive Inc, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 2014, creating opportunities to connect and grow beyond limitations. It was love at first sight when she attended a volt hockey practice with her daughter for the first time in May, 2022. Right away, she recognized how volt hockey creates a community to BELONG, to be HEARD, and to be LOVED.
Caeden Parisi
Caeden is a college student and a Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technician at Advanced Data Risk Management (ADRM). He first discovered volt hockey in 2022 through his late friend, JB Harvey, whose passion for the sport left a lasting impact. Inspired by his experience, Caeden joined the Boston Whiplash and quickly became an active team member. In September 2024, Caeden was elected to the USVHA Board, where he works alongside other members to expand volt hockey across the United States and make adaptive sports more accessible to all.
Jim Wice
Jim is a disability rights advocate who is currently employed as the Director of Accessibility and Disability Resources at Wellesley College where he works tirelessly to ensure that all students, faculty, and staff have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. He is actively involved in the Boston disability community, serving on the boards of the Boston Self Help Center and Boston Center for Independent Living. Jim enjoys adaptive sports like power soccer and volt hockey in his free time, which help him stay active and connected to others in the community.
Dave Yurik
Dave, a dedicated board member of the USVHA, doubles as a coach for the Boston Whiplash volt hockey team of which his son is an active player. Dave's deep passion for hockey, evident in his staunch support for the Boston Bruins, now finds a profound outlet in volt hockey. Beyond the rink, he is an advocate for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a cause hitting close to home with his son's diagnosis. Through coaching, sharing the love for the game with his son, and relentless advocacy, Dave demonstrates a profound commitment to both the sport and raising awareness for genetic disorders like DMD.