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Join Club26 and help champion inclusion for the 2026 USA Games.

First Lady of Minnesota, business executives, nonprofit leaders and star athletes appointed to help oversee milestone sporting event in Minnesota

A recognizable powerhouse in the creative industry and highly sought-after public speaker, Amanda Brinkman is the CEO/Chief Creative Officer of Sunshine Studios, well known for her “Do Well By Doing Good” philosophy. As a strong advocate for the many benefits of volunteering, she has supported Special Olympics Minnesota for over 20 years. Amanda is in awe of the tenacity and positivity the athletes exemplify and finds cheering them on incredibly energizing. She has introduced her leadership teams to the joy of volunteering, in addition to her sister, and has now made this a tradition that she shares with her daughter.

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.

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.

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.

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