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Yoli Shields has been an enthusiastic competitor involved with Special Olympics Georgia for 13 years, and there is nothing that she loves more about it than the people she gets to interact with as a result, especially her fantastic coaches. The sports Yoli primarily participates in are swimming and bocce.

As the regional president and managing director of Special Olympics North America, Greg Epperson has been involved with every USA Games event since the movement began in 2006. His connection to Special Olympics spans over three decades, beginning with his volunteer work as a coach in 1986 and evolving into various impactful roles within the organization. Most recently, he served as the Vice President of Sports for Special Olympics North America, demonstrating his deep commitment to the mission.

Travis Anderson, a shareholder at Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., also serves as the Director and General Counsel for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, offering both his legal acumen and a commitment to inclusion. Travis’s connection to Special Olympics traces back to his high school years when he first volunteered, igniting a lifelong dedication to the cause. Over the past three decades, he has brought his passion to hundreds of Special Olympics events, leaving a profound impact on the community. His extensive involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Minnesota for six years.

Roy Smalley is a former professional baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball for 13 years for teams including the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox. Roy is currently a financial advisor and senior partner in the Smalley Muldowney Group. He also serves as president of the board of Pitch In For Baseball, a nonprofit organization that supplies baseball and softball equipment to underserved communities.

Judy Vijums is the Chief Financial Officer for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, hailing from Cobalt Capital Partners. A lover of all things swimming and water-related, she is ready to “make a splash” with the 2026 USA Games and leave a lasting legacy in the state of Minnesota.

Christine (Christy) Sovereign is the Chief Executive Officer for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. As an executive on loan from Accenture, she brings 35 years of business and leadership experience coupled with a very personal story, having grown up alongside sister Katie, a distinguished Special Olympics athlete and Global Messenger.

Gwen Walz is the First Lady of Minnesota, a former English teacher and lifelong Minnesotan. She is a passionate advocate for educating Minnesota’s children and has spent her life working to build a more just and equitable world. From teaching at prisons and promoting criminal justice reform to advocating for the LGBTQ movement, Gwen’s desire to learn from and work with others to advance meaningful change is her guiding principle. She looks forward to bringing this unparalleled perspective and influence to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

Lonnie Snyder is sharing his wealth of experience with the leadership team, including 28 years of nonprofit IT innovation, 8 years with Special Olympics International. He served as the Chief Information Officer for the USA Games in 2022, and is now ready to knock it out of the park once again in 2026!

Nick Engbloom is the Senior Director of Development for Community Partnerships at the University of Minnesota Foundation, where he has dedicated 13 years to securing over $100 million in community support for key health priorities. His success stems from his ability to connect with high-wealth donors, professional athletes, corporate partners, and the hospitality industry. Nick’s expertise in creating impactful benefit events has established vital community pillars, highlighting his commitment to transformative philanthropy.