ASAS News 2023-04-27

We are excited to announce that Olympic gold medalist
Lindsey Vonn has joined our National Board of Directors and will begin working alongside the organization’s leadership to provide strategic support and guidance.

Omar Johnson (ASAS board member and founder of ØPUS United) says, “After-School All-Stars prioritizes inclusion and equity in all facets of the organization, and we believe that having directors of diverse gender, race, ethnicity, and varied skills and experiences contributes to a stable and effective board. The addition of Lindsey to the National Board of Directors gives us even more momentum toward that pursuit.”

While Lindsey is best known for being one of the most decorated American ski racers in history and widely regarded among the greatest of all time, she also has a well-established record in philanthropy and nonprofit service. She founded the Lindsey Vonn Foundation (LVF) in 2015 with the goal to empower underserved young women through scholarships, education, and athletics. 

Last year, Lindsey partnered with After-School All-Stars to be a spokesperson and promoter for a sweepstakes organized alongside Omaze. The grand prize was a dream house in Lake Tahoe worth $4.3m, and—in less than four months—the partnership raised more than $1 million dollars for All-Stars programs! At LVF and All-Stars, Lindsey continues to demonstrate her commitment to helping youth gain confidence, build inclusivity, and grow as individuals.

Andrea Bazán, President of After-School All-Stars, says, “Lindsey joins us at a time when expanded learning programs are more important than ever, and I’m so excited to see what we can accomplish together. In addition to her years of nonprofit experience, Lindsey is someone our students can look up to—as a competitor, a champion, an entrepreneur, and philanthropist.”

Please join us in welcoming Lindsey to Team All-Stars! You can read the
full press release  here.

How long have you been with After-School All-Stars? What has been your trajectory within the organization over the course of your career?

I have been with ASAS since October 2005. My journey began as a 17-year-old Program Leader at ASAS Orlando. In my first two years, I was in a variety of roles that exposed me to different sites and individuals within the chapter. At age 20, I became the youngest Site Coordinator at ASAS Orlando, and managed one of the largest sites. I graduated college with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree while still working as a Site Coordinator. [At that time, I] was looking to dip my toe into the admin side and was offered the opportunity by ASAS Orlando. A couple of years later, I became Project Coordinator, then Regional Program Manager, and Operations Manager/Director. I held this position until recently, before transitioning into my new role, National Director of Programs.  

Why have you stayed at All-Stars for as long as you have?

I have spent more than half my life at ASAS and love the mission and goals of the organization. My parents did everything they could to provide for us, but I wish I had a program like ASAS to get involved with and develop in when I was younger. What I want for every student we work with is to gain experience and exposure that could change their lives and perspectives. 

What contribution to ASAS are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of being part of the expansion into high schools. Being able to open the door through the AmeriCorps program [based] on the needs of high school students has been exciting.
Through management on the 21st grants, I was able to help change the operations of the chapter, creating systems across all sites that are still implemented to this day. 

What have you learned from All-Star students?

Students’ needs and desires are ever changing, but one thing is still true: kids want to be kids and have fun. They want to make connections and have caring individuals in their lives. They don’t know what they don’t know, so it’s our job to open their eyes to endless possibilities.