Your 2026 Board of Directors!

As a non-profit organization, the Board of Directors is here to serve its members. We work together to ensure that members’ needs are addressed and met in ways that best support and help to advance the club’s mission. Board members are self-nominated, then vetted by an independent committee of club members, and finally, put forth for acceptance by the club overall.

If you are interested in getting more involved with club initiatives or joining the board please reach out to us at whscboard@wehosc.org!

 

ken sanchez (He/Him)

President

Ken has been a proud club member for over a decade and has spent the past eight and a half years serving in leadership roles on the Board, including Secretary, Vice President, and now President. His soccer journey began in 2006 with our sister club, the New York Ramblers, where he learned the game as an adult; an experience that deeply shaped his understanding of the power and importance of inclusive spaces.

Ken is deeply committed to the mission of the club and brings a personal, lived appreciation for the environments we create and protect. During his tenure, he has helped guide the club through a period of remarkable growth. As President, Ken is energized to serve alongside an exceptionally talented Board of Directors, building on our strong foundation while leading the club into a bright, optimistic future: one rooted in belonging, resilience, and the continued creation of a welcoming space during a challenging moment in history.

garretT szafman (He/Him)

Vice President

Garrett joined WHSC in 2022 as a way to meet like-minded people in the LGBTQ+ community. He's competed with the club at tournaments across the country, has proudly served on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer for the last two years and will now be tackling the role of Vice President. 

In 2025, Garrett spearheaded the creation of the club’s internal league, increasing playing opportunities for all members throughout the year and driving meaningful community across the club. 

If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven't done anything today.

Rhiann holmaN (She/Her)

Treasurer

Rhiann began her journey with the club at the end of 2022. Drawn to the club’s strong sense of community and its inclusive environment, Rhiann felt an immediate connection. She currently serves as a co-captain of the Rockets 11s team and is looking forward to growing her responsibilities as club Treasurer.

Do what you love. If you love something, you aren’t going to care about the sacrifices you’re making to do whatever it is.

Emma Fruhling (she/her)

Secretary

Emma joined WHSC when she moved out to LA in 2022 and has loved every second of it since! She's played on the Rockets 7s and 11s and Nova as well as captaining the return of the Comets! The club has not only reminded her of her love for a sport (she wasn't sure she'd ever play again) but also has given her a community of people she is truly grateful for. Emma's so excited to continue driving the mission of the club in her new role as Secretary and can't wait for more people to be able to have the welcoming experience she did and has continued to have!

 

rachel derrico (she/Her)

director of Women’s/Non-Binary Program

Rachel has been playing with WHSC for the last 7 years and is energized & inspired by the club and its’ members every day. Proudly serving over the years as team captain, club Secretary, and as the club’s, first female President, she has enjoyed some of the most memorable moments with the WHSC community, including a double world championship for both our men's & women's/non-binary programs in Australia! She currently leads the Women’s/Non-Binary Program overseeing teams, leagues, and tournament opportunities and proudly captains our competitive, women's 11v11 team, The Rockets.

It’s not about having more time…it’s about how best to use the time you have.

Tommy Vitale (He/Him)

Director of Men’s/All-Gender Program

Tommy joined WHSC in 2021 as a way to get out of the house after the COVID pandemic! Even running around with a sweaty mask on his face, connecting with fellow LGBTQ+ players playing the sport he loved was a perfect fit. He has played on both Fusion and Eclipse, and has recently taken on captain responsibilities for the latter. Getting to travel to Sydney and Buenos Aires for IGLFA Championships with Eclipse gave him the opportunity to experience what it’s like to play the game he loves at a very high level with a community where he is the norm, not the exception. Tommy can’t wait to help others find a space where they can werk on the field and make some friends along the way!

Every person I meet is my superior in some way, and in that, I learn from them.

ethan plemmons (He/Him)

Member at Large / Supporting Men’s/All-gender Program

Ethan joined WHSC in 2022. He quickly fell in love with the club and immediately became a part of the family, proudly serving over the years as a Team Captain for the WHSC Suns, Vice President of the WHSC Board of Directors and now supporting the Men’s/All-Gender program.

A true friend accepts who you are, but also helps you become who you should be.

Mikayla byers (She/Her)

director of membership Outreach & Events

Mikayla came to LA from Ohio in 2019. She officially joined WHSC in 2021 after an Instagram post caught her attention. She played consistently with the Rockets women’s team through her first season and quickly took on a captain role for the Rockets 7s team, leading them to a league & a Sin City Classic championship this past year. She’s watched the women’s program grow and can’t wait to snag more gold medals with them! Mikayla currently leads membership outreach & events overseeing all  the exciting community building that happens off the field for our club. 

Be messy and complicated and afraid, and show up anyway.

 

Krystle Krueger (She/her)

Member at Large / Supporting Membership outreach & events

Krystle has been playing soccer since she was 4 years old and joined the Comets 7s in 2023 at a time when she truly needed the game. The club welcomed her with open arms, and in a short time she was named Captain of the Comets 7s, selected for the competitive Comets 11s team, and honored with both the MVP and Captain’s Awards. Beyond the field, she has found lifelong friends and a community that feels like home. 

Soccer has always been a part of my life, but this club reminds me why I love it. 

Jesson (Danny) Calloway (He/Him)

Director of Policy & Procedure

Jesson joined WHSC in 2014 when in search of a safe space to continue playing soccer. Jesson has traveled all over the country and world playing with the club, including to Sydney, Australia where he and his teammates became World Champions. Jesson has proudly served over the years as a Team Captain, Development Lead, Secretary and most recently President of the Board of Directors. 

You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.

peter marth (He/him)

Internal league commissioner

Peter joined the club two years ago when he moved to LA from Chicago. He was excited to join the community and meet new people and has loved playing with the Fusion in the LA Municipal league. This past year, Peter helped orchestrate the pilot internal league season and has taken over as league commissioner. He is looking forward to watching the internal league grow and become a staple of the club’s impact on the community. 

VianA Parra (she/her)

Member at Large / Supporting Secretary

Viana joined WHSC in 2024 after being suggested to reach out for recreational play opportunities by Angel City FC. Since joining, Viana’s captained the Comets 7s along with a team in the Club’s first season of its internal league. To Viana, WHSC provided a space for her to find and learn to love the game she had not played for nearly two decades. Viana is passionate about the growth in popularity of the women’s game and is proud of the environment WHSC fosters that continues to bring queer athletes together.

I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.