Our Team

Beth Devine joined the Collaborative as it’s first Executive Director upon the organization’s launch in 2016.  Beth brings a blend of experience in nonprofit management, sports-based youth development programs, and the development of cross-sector partnerships.  She is responsible for setting the strategic course for the organization, as well as oversight of the Collaborative’s team in their efforts to increase equitable access for all of Philadelphia’s children to quality sports-based youth development programs.

A collaborator by nature, Beth has built relationships with multiple city agencies to align work and set a common course for the way Philadelphia uses sports to engage and connect with its young people.  Relying on her experience in launching a girls-serving sports and fitness organization in 2009, as well as her participation in Mayor James F. Kenney’s Transition Team, Beth is well suited to drive change in the area of SBYD by aligning cross-sector stakeholders to support innovative programmatic efforts that expand access and improve quality.

Devine also has extensive experience in marketing, events, and operations due to her work experience with the American Cancer Society, the Philadelphia Big 5, and Reynolds and Reynolds, among others.

Beth holds an MA in Clinical Counseling Psychology from LaSalle University and is a lifelong athlete and youth coach which fuels her mission to ensure all kids get the opportunity to experience the power of sport in their lives.

Mike joined the Collaborative in May 2019. As the Director of External Relations, Mike leads advocacy and communication initiatives, coordinates capacity building programming for member organizations, and drives outreach and recruitment of new members. Mike began his career in Independent Minor League Baseball, pitching for the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League.

After retiring from baseball, Mike spent several years in Pennsylvania government and politics, serving as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff in Governor Tom Wolf’s administration, and holding senior staff roles on Katie McGinty’s campaigns for US Senate and PA Governor. Following the 2016 campaign cycle, he joined Militia Hill Ventures as an associate, leading operations for the firm and spearheading a new nonprofit effort for the local lifescience industry, PhillyBio.

Beyond his work with the Collaborative, Mike is an avid baseball coach and fan, splitting his time between watching the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, and training up the next generation on the fields of Philly.  Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mike received his B.A. in Government with a concentration in American Politics from Wesleyan University. While at Wesleyan, he was captain of the varsity baseball team and a social chair for his fraternity, Delta Kappa Epsilon.

Becca joined the Collaborative in April of 2019, with a specific focus in increasing programmatic opportunities for Collaborative Member Organizations, heading strategic programmatic initiatives, and conducting program evaluation. Becca joined the Collaborative after spending time with the City of Philadelphia, in both the Philadelphia Water Dept. and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, bringing years of experience in community relations and communications.

A native Philadelphian, and a former high school and collegiate athlete, she is thrilled to be working with an organization that increases access and quality of sport programming for all Philadelphia youth.

Becca holds a BBA in Sports & Event Management from The George Washington University. During her time at GW, she was an active member of the GW Crew team before setting her sights on the rugby pitch where she captained GW Women’s Rugby. She maintains a foothold in the Philadelphia sports community as an active player and youth rugby coach for Philadelphia Rugby Football Club.

Madison Beecher joined the Collaborative in October 2020. In this role, Madison works to produce branded content and maintain relationships through the organization’s social media platforms.

Madison is originally from Atlanta, GA where her heavy involvement in soccer and track in community-based programs nurtured her love for sport. She pursued her Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Recreation Management at Temple University, graduating in 2020. During her time as an undergraduate student, she was a Division I track athlete and obtained internships with the City of Philadelphia, Temple Athletics, and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Emily joined the Collaborative team in December 2019 as the Youth Engagement in Sports Initiative (YES) Program Manager. In this role, she has implemented the Collaborative’s afterschool program for middle schools in North and West Philadelphia.

She works closely with member organizations, Temple University professors and researchers, School District of Philadelphia staff, the coaching staff, and most importantly, the athletes and their families.

Emily has a background in public health, health disparities, and program design and management and holds a B.A. Anthropology, B.A. in Sociology, and a Certificate in Research in Health and Medicine from Indiana University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Indianapolis. She is a lifelong athlete and experienced runner, competing in collegiate and elite national levels in road racing and track and field. She aims to qualify for 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials.

Brian’s career has been in fundraising and development. He started in political campaigns, fundraising for Democratic candidates in PA, DE, and across the country. Brian led the successful fundraising efforts for Governors Ed Rendell (PA) and Jack Markell (DE), as well as for PA Supreme Court Justice Max Baer and others. Moving on from the political realm, Brian then worked in development in Higher Education at West Chester University, where he led the efforts for a new business and public affairs building, and La Salle University, where he led Athletic Development for the varsity sports.

Brian received his BA in History from the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, he played baseball and was a member of two teams that played in the NCAA regionals. He currently lives in Delaware County, PA with his wife, Joanie, who played basketball at Boston College, and their four children. In his spare time, Brian is a youth basketball and baseball coach.

Before joining PYSC, Dontae was a national manager of innovation projects for Playworks where he co-designed a certification process for expanding the reach of community-based organizations through a collaborative partnership. Prior to that, Dontae held a role as a Certified Trainer and Community Engagement & Program Specialist on two regional teams (Pennsylvania and New York/New Jersey) where he helped establish and maintain equity-centered initiatives with Madison Square Garden Entertainment and the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.

Dontae is also a recipient of the exclusive CalSAC Advancing Equity in Leadership Fellowship and, from 2010 to 2017, he was a key contributor on a nationwide project with Amtrak. In addition to his formal responsibilities with PYSC, Dontae also serves as the President of the Kingsessing Roadrunners and is the creator of NFL Flag Philly. Collectively, programs that Dontae has led have engaged more than 5,000 children and trained over 450 youth development staff across the country.

Prior to working for the Collaborative, Brianna was a student-athlete at Gwynedd Mercy University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 2022. She also served as an assistant coach for schools within the Philadelphia School District, assisting with after-school programs and student mentoring.