Udonis Haslem Foundation logo with tagline: Hope, Access, Opportunity. Udonis Haslem Foundation logo with tagline: Hope, Access, Opportunity.

Our Team

Our diversified team of expert professionals handpicked to deliver unbiased and well rounded support for all of our causes and initiatives.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Udonis Haslem
Founder

As an athlete Udonis’ accolades speak for themselves: 2x State Champion with Miami Senior High School, an invaluable teammate during tournament runs at The University of Florida and a 3x NBA Champion with the MiamiHEAT.  Shortly after beginning his career in the NBA Udonis became an avid philanthropist.In 2005, he founded the Udonis Haslem Children’s Foundation with the mission to promote youth development and self-confidence; implementing programs and services designed to empower the youth to reach their fullest potential.
In 2022, UD Kids became The Udonis Haslem Foundation and evolved to broaden the organization’s scope of impact by focusing on mental health initiatives, particularly as they relate to criminal justice reform.

Barbara Wooten
Founder

Barbara was Udonis Haslem’s stepmother who, following the sudden loss of a friend, stepped in to immediately provide school supplies and uniforms for the children left motherless. Unbeknownst to them at this time, this was the beginning of what became the Udonis Haslem Children’s Foundation, now known as the Udonis Haslem Foundation. Barbara remained a leader and played an active role in all Foundation causes and initiatives until her passing in December, 2023. Her legacy will continue to guide the mission of the Udonis Haslem Foundation

(September 3, 1945 - December 8, 2023)

Shelly-Ann M. King
Executive Director

Shelly-Ann M. King works to further the organization’s mission by pursuing partnerships and programs that are in line with its values. She provides strategic guidance to the board of directors and, as the voice of the foundation, acts as a liaison between the organization and the community. A natural connector, Shelly-Ann has access to a vast network of experts and easily connects people with ideas to those who can execute them—a skill she honed as a public relations/marketing consultant, magazine publisher and entrepreneur. This, along with her visionary leadership and compassionate management style, bodes well for her current position. She was recognized in 2015 by Legacy Magazine as one of South Florida’s 40 Under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow.

Board of Directors

Sylvester King Jr.
Chairman
CEO, Sr Consutant FAB Consulting Solutions, LLC

Throughout his 30 years in financial services, Sylvester King Jr. has worked in  banking, wealth management and financial and business consulting. At the peak of  his banking career, Sylvester held the position of Senior Vice President at Bank of  America – Premier Banking and Investments (Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Florida).  He describes the mission of his life’s work as:  “You get what you give! I’ve always focused on what I can give of myself in service to  my clients, the next generation of leaders, and most importantly, my family. I have  received more than my share of blessings by living by this motto.” 

Rob Socol
Treasurer
Owner at ARS Accounting

Specializing in Corporate, Individual, Non-Profit, Payroll and Franchise Accounting. Socol also works closely with many of the top professional athletes in the NFL and NBA. His strategic tax planning helps them preserve their wealth from their rookie year to retirement.

Tiffany Taylor
At Large
Managing Director at Independent Asset Advice

Tiffany is extremely passionate about financial literacy and has 17 years of experience working at financial institutions such as Smith Barney and Wells Fargo. In 2015 she decided to transition her career to IAA Wealth Management to create more opportunity for social impact initiatives She has since taken on clients such as lottery winners, business owners and athletes to make financial literacy and risk mitigation more accessible. Working as the foundations right hand, Tiffany has worked personally with Udonis since 2007, managing assets and mapping out our blueprint for real change around making financial literacy accessible to as many people as possible. Protection of your assets remains highest priority, especially during market volatility.

Jason Inasi
At Large
CEO of The Factory Interactive

Jason Inasi is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Inasi Group a multi-disciplinary investment and advisory firm. Jason is the co-founder of The Factory Interactive, an award winning, digital, marketing Agency. Jason is also managing partner and co-founder of the Raydr™, social intelligence platform, the Athletes Influence, 52 Ventures and FUTR Impact Capital. Jason is an early digital media pioneer having founded The Factory Interactive in 1998 and growing it to the 5th largest Digital Agency in Florida.Jason’s clients have included brands such as NBC Universal, Comcast, General Mills,The Miami HEAT, Carnival Cruise Lines, Meliá Hotels, Coca-Cola, Dwyane Wade and the NFL.

Mary Whitehead
Secretary
President & CEO of Sistaah Talk! Inc.

Ms. Whitehead holds a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University with concentrated studies in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Mary has served on various community-based participatory research teams. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed published scientific papers promoting effective health behavior modification strategies for people of color.

Sunjay Matthews
At Large
Board Member, Advisor & Angel Investor

Sunjay Mathews is a sports, media, and tech executive with more than a decade of business development and commercial experience in highly regulated industries such as cryptocurrency, gaming, sports betting, fantasy sports, and video streaming. As a highly skilled commercial lawyer with experience negotiating and drafting complex transactions, Sunjay has negotiated over $ 1 billion in US-based and international partnership agreements with sports leagues, sports teams, athletes, musicians, and celebrities. Along with partnership agreements, Sunjay has negotiated multi-billion dollar mergers and multi-billion dollar sports media acquisitions, including 50+ public and private M&A transactions.  Prior to his legal training, Sunjay volunteered with Americorps, teaching 4th grade in SE Washington, DC.  Since that experience, he has always been driven and dedicated to volunteer his time to help children and our youth.  He welcomes the opportunity to continue that mission as a Board member of the UD Foundation.

Thomas Eugene
At Large
Managing Partner of Connect Pro360

After 15+ years in professional sports and entertainment, Thomas Eugene has embarked on a new journey as the Managing Partner of Connect Pro360, a consulting firm dedicated to connecting everyday people to the worlds of business, sports, and entertainment. In his recent role, Thomas served as the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and multicultural Affairs with the Florida Panthers. His commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion was instrumental in shaping the team's approach to the workforce, workplace, and marketplace.  A native of Haiti and a proud graduate of the University of Florida, Thomas Eugene is deeply committed to his community. Thomas Eugene's extensive experience and unwavering dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion make him a valuable asset to professional sports and entertainment.

Deborah Jones-Allen
Mental Health Community Liaison
Founder of Daughters of Siyyon Foundation

Dr. Jones-Allen is a graduate of Jacksonville Theological Seminary and Albizu University with a Doctorate of Christain Ministry, Master of Science in Psychology School Counseling and attended St Thomas University, Postgraduate Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Liscensed Clinical Christain Counselor, utilizing faith-based counseling/coaching. Her passion and personal mission is to help those whose lives have been affected through the inter-generational transmission of traumas impacted by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Dr Allen is the founder of Daughters of Siyyon Foundation, a faith-based counseling ministry.

Meet Our Creatives

Krizia De La Puente
Digital Creative

Krizia De La Puente is an experienced digital marketing and project management professional. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Communications with a Certificate in Media Management from Florida International University. Driven by strong attention to detail, she takes pride in providing goal-oriented digital strategies and accurate plans of action to her clients. As a Senior Account and Project Manager at TFI, her goals include delivering comprehensive project scopes and creative marketing methods. In her spare time, Krizia enjoys traveling- specifically to sample local cuisine.

Varun (Sunny) Piplani
Board Advisor
Business Development @ Amazon Web Services | NBA Player Marketing & Partnerships

Sunny Piplani handles player marketing and business development for top NBA athletes and aspires to help them reach their full potential on and off the court. Sunny graduated from Bates College where he studied Political Economy and was the captain of the basketball team. Through his young career, he has gained a great amount of experience from the brand, agency, and sports marketing world having previously worked at Catalyst Sports & Media, Octagon Sports Agency, and the Li-Ning/ Way of Wade brand. Sunny is also currently an Associate Account Executive at Amazon Web Services where he works with numerous nonprofit organizations in supporting their innovation with technology to drive their mission and impact. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants.

Michelle Kammerman
Digital Creative

Michelle Kammerman is a multi-passionate experienced digital creative with an acumen for client communications and project management. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Entrepreneurship from The University of Wisconsin-Madison. Additionally Michelle has over 10 years of experience with photography and graphic design. She is skilled at building meaningful relationships, thrives in ambiguous environments and is fueled by innovative problem solving. Michelle approaches every project with purpose, passion and persistence.