What most people don’t know is why this work matters so deeply to me.

I trained with the Women’s U.S. National Rowing Team, won national championships, and for 30 years I’ve coached student-athletes across the country. Through my student athlete mentorship program, P3PE, I’ve helped more than 150 students reach college and discover what they’re capable of.

When I was four years old, I survived a murder‑suicide that took my mother, my grandfather, and my father. I learned the truth years later, and I had to find my own path to healing. Sport became that path. Rowing gave me resilience, belonging, and hope. The first time my life was saved was by my mother. The second time, it was saved by sport.

In 2025, my husband and I founded the El Sol de Sylvia Foundation, named for my mom, to give young people who face barriers to achieving their full potential the same chance. We’re launching our first scholarships in 2026, and right now we’re seeking founding donors to make that first class possible. Because we’ve seen — in Philadelphia and across the country, in my coaching career — that one season on the water can change a life.

El Sol De Sylvia means Sylvia’s Sun.

With your support, her light can help other young people survive, grow, and thrive through sport.

Our Approach and Impact:

• Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. El Sol de Sylvia Foundation is about removing financial barriers so student-athletes can access sports, stay engaged, and reach their full potential.

• Sport doesn’t just shape athletes, it shapes lives. Participation builds confidence, resilience, leadership, and belonging, with positive ripple effects in education and personal growth.

• Every dollar invested directly supports a young athlete, covering: fees, equipment, and access to transformative experiences. We turn generosity into opportunity.