Leadership Academy

The AMBTIF Leadership Academy is a one-year, stipend-based program run by the A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund (AMBTIF). It is designed for current or former rowers aged 19 to 25 who want to help create access in the rowing community. The academy aims to address critical needs in under-resourced communities and rowing programs while training highly skilled, certified coaches and mentors. These individuals are dedicated to promoting diversity and resilience in rowing. Members are selected and mentored directly by Arshay Cooper and core staff.

This initiative strengthens the rowing community by ensuring that under-resourced youth have access to high-quality coaching and mentorship from leaders who share their backgrounds and experiences.


Core Responsibilities & Focus Areas

Members serve in a part-time, twelve-month role, focusing on the holistic development of youth athletes across AMBTIF initiatives:

Direct Coaching & Programming: Facilitating Learn to Row programs, assisting with summer rowing camp placements, and providing life skills and social-emotional support.

  • Recruitment & College Access: Leading recruitment efforts for youth rowing programs and guiding high school athletes through the college access pipeline.

  • Mentorship & Development: Serving as dedicated mentors and engaging in program development for partner initiatives.

  • Public Speaking: Acting as ambassadors for AMBTIF, developing and utilizing public speaking skills during various outreach activities.


Training & Professional Development

The academy provides comprehensive training designed to equip members with both hard and soft skills for future careers:

Mandatory Training: Participation in mandatory leadership training and monthly staff meetings.

  • Professional Certifications: Support for obtaining critical, industry-standard certifications:

  • Safe Sport & Level One Coaching Certification

  • CPR Certification

  • Basic First Aid Training

  • Practical Tools: Provision of professional development training and practical management tools for running effective programs led by friends of AMBTIF.

  • Conrad Palmer

    Conrad is looking forward to reflecting on his journey and restructuring it in the kind of way that meets athletes and professionals where they are, and helps chart a path of their own geared towards achieving their dreams.

  • Jaiden Gomez

    Jaiden is excited about the opportunity to spread his love for the sport and how it changed his life and to become a role model.

  • Keira Gotrell

    Keira can’t wait to be a part of a community of young coaches who care deeply about impact and equity, which feels incredibly special to her.

  • Zion Goche

    Zion is looking forward to learning from experienced mentors and connecting with peers who share a genuine commitment to expanding opportunities in rowing.

Generation Now Committee

The Generation Now Committee is a powerful collaboration of past and present collegiate rowers who bring new ideas and experience to creating a competitive, diverse, inclusive, equitable, and welcome rowing culture.

Coming Soon!