
Founded to address the inequitable access to school-based sports programs between Boston students and their suburban counterparts, the Play Ball Foundation was founded in 2007 by Mike Harney.
The Play Ball Foundation began by raising funds to create school-based sports leagues for youth in the Boston Public Middle Schools. Since then, we have expanded beyond Boston to Holyoke, Lawrence and New Bedford. In its history, Play Ball has granted more than $4,000,000 and has engaged over 10,000 middle schoolers.

THE PLAY BALL TEAM

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Katie graduated from the University of Richmond in 2003 and during her time there played soccer and was the co-captain her senior year. She began her career in commercial real estate in 2003, where she worked at Spaulding & Slye/Jones Lang Lasalle as a commercial real estate broker until 2016. She left the corporate world in 2016 and then began volunteering with the operations and fundraising efforts at Play Ball, an organization that had always been near and dear to her heart. In 2021, Katie was hired as the Director of Development and and feels deeply committed to bridging the gap between those middle schoolers who have access and opportunity to play sports and those that do not. “I know the impact sports have had on my life and on my kids’ lives each day, so it is a privilege to work within an organization that is doing such necessary and meaningful work for the middle schoolers that need it the most.”

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Chris Lynch
Chris is the Executive Director of the Play Ball Foundation. He has worked to increase opportunities for under-served youth through sports for more than 20 years. For the past eight years, Chris was the COO of SquashBusters, a sports-based youth development program, where he helped oversee the expansion from Boston to Lawrence and Providence. Prior to that, Chris ran the Boston Youth Sports Initiative, a funding and network building effort to support the range of youth sports programs in Boston. Chris has a Masters of Education from Lesley University and a Bachelor of Arts from Bates College, where he played squash and lacrosse.

THE BOARD
FAVORITE SPORT
Premier League & La Liga
Chris Davis
Vice President, Global Market
New Balance
Mike Harney
Managing Director
BTIG
Chairman of the Board
FAVORITE SPORT
Lacrosse
FAVORITE SPORT
Golf
John McGoldrick
Development Analyst
Cohasset Hospitality Partners
Stu Porter
Founder, Managing Partner
Denham Capital
FAVORITE SPORT
Football
FAVORITE SPORT
College Football
Pete Thamel
College Football Senior Writer
ESPN
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Scott Baughman
Vice President, GW&K Investment Management
Mackenson Charles
Director of Inclusive City Initiatives, Special Olympics Massachusetts
Ian Franke
Managing Director, Institutional Insurance Group
Mike Frisorra
Vice President, Charles Contracting
Chris Herrmann
Investment Professional, Private Family Office
Brendan Sandel
Account Executive - Financial Services, Pegasystems
Rob Broggi
Portfolio Manager - Monashee Investment Management

Make an Impact, Make a Donation
We believe in the power of sports. We believe in the power of our Play Ball students. We believe in the power of Play Ball communities. Help us strengthen our support by making a donation today.