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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.

Minnesota native Rachel Banham scored 3,093 points in her college career at the University of Minnesota, leaving the college game as the No. 1 scorer in Big Ten history and sixth in NCAA history. She was the 2016 Big Ten Player of the Year and made 354 threes during her career, a program record. She is arguably most known for her then-NCAA record 60-point performance against Northwestern in 2016, a year that ended with her earning a First Team All-American nod.

The 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in gymnastics has built an incredible post-gymnastics career since retiring from the sport. Shawn is a New York Times Best Selling author, speaker, brand builder, and philanthropist. She created TheBodyDepartment.com, a site dedicated to offering an outlet where people can talk about body image, wellness, and fitness in a healthy way. She’s currently operating an online digital content and consulting agency.

Travis Stuckart has been a proud member of the Special Olympics family for an impressive 37 years, competing in softball, volleyball, basketball, and flag football. Beyond sports, Travis is deeply committed to athlete leadership, serving as a voice for athletes in Wisconsin and across the North Central region as part of the United States Athlete Leadership Council. He cherishes the relationships he’s built with fellow athletes, volunteers, and coaches, which have shaped his extraordinary journey in Special Olympics.

Billy Seide has been an active member of Special Olympics since 1999, dedicating over two decades to the mission. He competes in softball, snowshoeing, and athletics, but his true passion lies in athlete leadership and serving as a role model for others. Billy thrives on inspiring his peers and embracing opportunities to make a positive impact within the Special Olympics community.

Click below to read more about each member of our Leadership Team.

Amy Murray is the Senior Vice President of Special Events for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Amy will utilize her over 25 years of experience as an event producer to design and develop all non-sport USA Games events, including the Opening Ceremony, Fan Zone, and many others during an action-packed Games week, kicking off June 20, 2026. With a passion for amplifying inclusion and celebrating diversity, Amy is dedicated to creating unforgettable moments that unite communities and showcase the extraordinary abilities of every individual involved. This unique role allows her to merge her expertise in large-scale event production with a mission that aligns deeply with her values.

Sulynnette Vega-Ledesma is a spirited Special Olympics Alaska athlete, sharing about 8 years of experience and dedication to the cause alongside her brother, Leonel. She loves what Special Olympics has brought to her life, crediting the people in the community with understanding her and helping her to grow as a person. Passionate about various sports, her favorites include snowboarding, athletics, and figure skating.

Homebased in Savage, Minnesota, Adam Hjerpe serves as the dedicated Board Chair of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, in addition to his roles as dad to Special Olympics athlete Steven, coach, and Unified partner. With an extraordinary background spanning almost 20 years and multiple leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group and now as Chief Operating Officer at Medica, Adam brings valuable expertise and a commitment to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games’ achievement of excellence.

Lisa Noble has been an active participant in Special Olympics for 10 years, competing in basketball, Unified volleyball, tennis, athletics, and bocce. Her journey with Special Olympics has been transformative, helping her step out of her comfort zone, develop leadership skills, and embrace opportunities she never imagined possible. Lisa values the camaraderie and support within the Special Olympics community, where athletes uplift and inspire one another to achieve their best both on and off the field.