Meet the team

Growing up, sports were a huge part of Shelley's life. She played 3 varsity sports in high school, including golf, and learned so many valuable life skills through her experiences as a student-athlete.

She went on to play tennis at the collegiate level at Albion College in Albion, Michigan, where she led the team to 2 MIAA Championship titles and earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and Business. She also coached youth tennis for 7 years in Southeast Michigan and loved watching young players not only develop their games but grow as individuals as well.

Shelley has over a decade of experience in graphic design and brand development and enjoys contributing her creative skills to an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for youth in sports.

Sue joined Youth on Course in 2013 with the purpose of establishing regional course partnerships. She focuses on expanding national course partnerships while strengthening the engagement of existing course partners.

Her love for youth golf stems from her son’s early participation in Youth on Course and subsequent rise to professional golf. Sue is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion in the game of golf. She is currently in the final editing stages of authoring a book entitled Our Shadows Are Long, a book that canvases her life as a white mother raising a bi-racial son as he navigated the world of competitive golf.

Elizabeth is an experienced Executive Assistant with over 7 years working as an EA at a VC firm, for an e-commerce company and most recently a PE firm.  She is dedicated to supporting leadership and streamlining operations. One for details, she prides herself on adding a professional touch to every project she takes on.

While not athletically gifted, she is an excellent spectator and a big fan of the (formerly Oakland) A’s.  She has an affinity for all animals, big and small, and particularly enjoys otter spotting off the coast of Monterey whenever she has a chance. She has a strong dedication to community service, is committed to personal growth and has a passion for continuous learning- next up a pottery class.  

Grant Gaudette is an accomplished entrepreneur and technology executive with a proven track record of leading technology-driven companies across various industries. Specializing in early to mid-stage companies in growth mode, Grant excels at leveraging technology to facilitate controlled scaling and business expansion.

A graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Grant began his career developing custom web applications for a diverse range of businesses. In 2007, he co-founded Essette, an enterprise healthcare solution that supported over 50 healthcare organizations in managing patient populations, passing government audits, and achieving sustainable growth. At Essette, Grant held multiple roles, ranging from software developer to CEO. In 2016, Essette was acquired by Health Management Systems (HMS), a publicly traded company with annual revenue exceeding $500 million. The success of Essette laid the foundation for a new line of business at HMS, ultimately contributing to HMS's acquisition by Gainwell in 2021.

Grant joined Youth on Course in a consultative role in 2018 and transitioned to the full-time role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in 2020. Under his leadership, Youth on Course launched a mobile app that has been downloaded over 200,000 times. His vision has been instrumental in expanding the organization internationally, integrating with industry-leading platforms such as GolfNow and GolfPass, and subsidizing over 3 million rounds of golf for its members.

In his spare time, Grant enjoys playing golf and tennis, and traveling with his wife and two daughters.

Mika is a Pacific Grove local who grew up playing golf, enjoying the small coastal town, and helping others. She graduated from Saint Mary's College of California in 2024 with a double major in communications and ethnic studies. Her experience with multiple non-profits has equipped her with a strong foundation in effective communication and cultural understanding.

While Mika enjoys golf as a hobby, she has been a competitive golfer since middle school. This deep connection to the game and academic background led Mika to join Youth on Course. She is excited to share the same enriching golf experiences she enjoyed growing up with other young
golfers.

When not by the ocean or listening to music, she’s actively giving back to the community through activities such as writing letters to encourage voter registration.

Adam Heieck is the visionary leader behind Youth on Course, an organization he helped launch in 2006 with a mission to make golf more accessible and affordable for young people. With a deep-seated passion for youth development and a love for the sport, Adam's journey began through a prestigious USGA P.J. Boatwright Internship at the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) in Pebble Beach. This early experience in the golf industry ignited his commitment to transforming a small Bay Area pilot program into a thriving international organization. Today, under Adam's leadership, Youth on Course serves hundreds of thousands of members across the U.S., Canada, and Australia, offering subsidized access to golf and creating opportunities for young people to excel on and off the golf course.

As CEO, Adam is deeply involved in all aspects of the organization, from strategic planning to hands-on engagement with donors, foundations, corporations, and clubs. His ability to effectively communicate the organization’s mission and impact has been instrumental in securing the support necessary to expand Youth on Course's reach and influence. 

Adam holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Communications from Clemson University, and a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame. He lives in Pacific Grove with his wife and two children.

Mollin grew up in Northern California with sports being an integral part of her life. She played competitive soccer and did swim team from age 6-14 and then transitioned to volleyball in high school. She went on to play volleyball at Cal State Monterey Bay where she earned her Bachelor's in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and International Business in 2023.

In 2023, Mollin worked as an intern at Youth on Course where she was integral in helping launch the Alumni Network and assisted the Development team with donor stewardship and events. She came on board officially in 2024 and is very proud and grateful to work for a company that makes golf accessible to young people.

Michael is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in youth development and public education. His career has been marked by a deep commitment to supporting and empowering young people, particularly those in underserved communities. Before joining Youth on Course in 2012, Michael made significant contributions at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, where he worked in both the Hunters Point and Treasure Island communities. In these roles, he played a pivotal part in creating and managing programs that positively impacted the lives of countless youth.

At Youth on Course, Michael’s role as the VP of Programs is focused on growing and developing Youth on Course’s reach to positively impact the lives of its members. Michael’s hands-on approach and unwavering dedication to the organization’s mission make him an invaluable asset. He is known for his ability to build strong relationships with all stakeholders and for his tireless advocacy on behalf of the youth served by Youth on Course.

Michael earned a BA in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University, where he also obtained a multiple-subject teaching credential and a Master’s in Education. These academic accomplishments have given him a strong grounding in educational theory and practice, which he effectively integrates into his work in youth development. Michael currently resides in Portland, Oregon but travels often to meet with industry partners and attend member events.

Steven (Steve) is a seasoned marketing, branding, and corporate partnership executive with over 25 years of experience across large brands, start-ups, and nonprofits. With a track record of strategic leadership, he has managed multi-million dollar budgets, led large teams, and directly influenced company direction as well as creating enduring brands. Steve's career spans prominent leadership roles at Sprint, Charles Schwab, Caruso, City of Hope, Share our Strength/No Kid Hungry, and advisory work with start-up Lettuce Grow.

At Sprint, he was part of the dynamic team that developed innovative marketing initiatives with partners such as the NFL, World Cup Soccer and the PGA TOUR. At Charles Schwab, he led the creation of the Charles Schwab Cup - umbrella sponsorship of PGA TOUR Champions. Steve then transitioned to nonprofit leadership, where he managed the creation of impactful initiatives such as No Kid Hungry at Share our Strength and award-winning marketing campaigns at City of Hope.

Joining Caruso, Steve oversaw corporate development and entertainment (music, film/television) initiatives as well as experiential marketing efforts, achieving significant revenue growth for the Los Angeles based company. Following a successful tenure, he transitioned to freelance marketing advisory roles with start-ups, notably with the launch and development of the Lettuce Grow brand, contributing to its exponential growth and recognition as one of Inc Magazine's fastest-growing private companies.

Steve holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and resides in Pebble Beach, California, with his dog Nani.

Moe brings a wealth of experience in youth athletics, operations, and leadership to Youth on Course. Before joining the team, Moe spent several years at Pebble Beach Resort Company, following a successful seven-year tenure at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB). During her time at CSUMB, she held multiple key roles, including Head Volleyball Coach, Assistant Athletic Director of External Operations, and Senior Women’s Administrator.

In these roles, Moe demonstrated her capacity to lead and execute special projects, contributing significantly to development, fundraising, and alumni initiatives. Her strategic approach and hands-on leadership helped to enhance the university's athletic programs and build stronger community connections. Moe’s background as a former Division 1 volleyball player at Washington State University, where she earned two degrees, further underscores her commitment to excellence and her ability to navigate the challenges of high-stakes environments. She also holds an MS in Educational Leadership from Cal State East Bay, further solidifying her expertise in guiding and mentoring young leaders.

Outside of work, Moe is passionate about live music, college football, and spending time with her husband, Brian, and their yellow lab, Mack. Her dedication to developing young leaders and fostering strong community ties makes her an invaluable member of the Youth on Course team, where she is excited to connect with alumni and continue making a positive impact.

Rachel joined the team in April 2021, coming to the peninsula from Atlanta, Georgia. Rachel cares deeply about making golf accessible and is excited to be a part of a team that's committed to that goal.

Rachel played a variety of sports for as long as she can remember, with running and golf always being in the mix. Many weekends growing up were spent on the course with her Dad, and they still enjoy the pastime together  every chance they get. 

Rachel earned her bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University in 2016, followed by a year spent living in Dublin, Ireland before beginning her career.

After spending several years working in sales, she was excited about the new adventure of working at Youth on Course and getting into an industry she is passionate about. She now organizes and manages all Youth on Course events, working with the Development team on fundraising initiatives and expansion through growing our annual events. 

Contact Rachel with any event-related questions.

John comes to Youth on Course after nearly 15 years at Gymboree Play and Music. As the Director of North America's largest GPM franchise, Manhattan, John set the national brand standard for digital marketing and customer support for Gymboree. From creating and launching one of the country's first member loyalty apps (well before it was trendy) to producing viral virtual preschool education content (well before it was the norm), John's drive to use social media and technology to improve the customer journey has informed a forward-thinking approach to his work in both sales and service.

Through his travels, John has inspired over 200,000 children throughout Toronto, Canada; Birmingham, England; Brisbane, Australia; and diverse cities throughout the U.S. as a motivational speaker, but John's passion for youth sports and education was first founded right here in Monterey, directing child care and camps for the City of Pacific Grove and the YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula.

John, a graduate of Pacific Grove High School, Monterey Peninsula College, and UC Davis, is thrilled to be back in California to join Youth on Course as Director of Member Success.

Adam joined Youth on Course in 2018 and is excited to get back to his roots in golf working as part of the Development team to support our core purpose of providing youth access to life-changing opportunities.

Adam grew up playing golf with family and took his clubs all over — from Texas to Idaho, Florida for college, Spain for a Fulbright Grant, and most recently, New York City — before landing on the Monterey Peninsula. He earned his BA in History and Spanish from New College of Florida and his MA in Nonprofit Management from CUNY-Baruch College. Previously, Adam was the Programs Director for Fencers Club in NYC, the oldest and most successful Olympic fencing club in the country.

Adam now works closely with Jeff to manage all fundraising initiatives that support Youth on Course programs, expansion, and more. When not at work or on the course, Adam enjoys cycling, fencing, classic cars, and being outdoors in beautiful Northern California.

Contact Adam if you are interested in supporting Youth on Course through charitable giving.

Hugh joined the Youth on Course team in 2018, bringing over 25 years of experience in golf administration and foundation leadership. His career includes roles with the USGA, the Metropolitan Golf Association in New York, and as Executive Director of The First Tee of Phoenix. Before joining Youth on Course, he served as Director of Regional Affairs for the Pacific Region of The First Tee.

A native of the Monterey Peninsula, Hugh grew up in Seaside and was introduced to golf by his father, who took up the game while on active duty at Ft. Ord. Hugh achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, a family tradition, and also worked as a caddie at Pebble Beach while competing on the Monterey High School golf team.

Hugh attended Jackson State University in Mississippi, where he graduated with degrees in Finance and Management, earning the highest GPA among student-athletes. He was the National Minority College Golf Champion and part of the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) team to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

Hugh is passionate about his role at Youth on Course, working to make the game of golf more affordable and accessible for young people across the country.

Mark partnered with Youth on Course in 2020 in a development capacity. Utilizing his extensive network and lifelong involvement with golf, he consults on fundraising, prospect identification, and strategic planning.

A longtime Bay Area sportswriter and award-winning national golf writer, he wrote for the San Francisco Examiner, CBSports.com, and Golf Digest, and spent 20 years as content editor of Tigerwoods.com. Mark also served as Assistant Director of Communications for Stanford Athletics.

Mark earned a BA Degree in Communications from California State University, Chico, where he was an all-conference golfer. A native of Palo Alto, CA, he was elected to the university’s Department of Journalism and Athletics Hall of Fames.

Contact Mark about charitable giving, corporate opportunities, or fundraising events with Youth on Course.

Taylor brings a wide range of technology knowledge and experience to Youth on Course. A graduate of Texas Christian University, Taylor began his career in technology consulting delivering large scale implementations across multiple industries. In 2018, Taylor transitioned to the business side and served as an IT Lead at Harley Davidson Motor Company. He was responsible for implementing and scaling the automation practice across the organization. In 2021, Taylor returned to consulting as a Technology Modernization Manager at Grant Thornton where he guided clients through complex system and technology integrations. 

Taylor grew up in Texas and is an avid golfer. He won a state championship in high school, played college golf, and continues to compete in high-level amateur competitions.

Matt has been involved with Youth on Course since 2013, inspired by his son's transformative experience in the program. Witnessing firsthand the positive impact of Youth on Course, Matt felt compelled to contribute after his son aged out of the program in 2024.

Following a successful 30-year career in Media Sales at industry-leading companies such as Time Inc., Yelp, and Google, Matt made a conscious decision to pivot towards a more purpose-driven path. He now leads Youth on Course's Major Gifts initiatives, working to secure critical funding to support our core purpose: providing life-changing opportunities for young people through access to the game of golf.

A fifth-generation San Franciscan with a lifelong passion for the game, Matt is a strong advocate for preserving his cherished local muni, the Mill Valley Nine. A graduate of The University of Arizona, Matt resides in Mill Valley with his wife, two children, and their very naughty dog, Sadie.

Kaila is a Northern California native who grew up playing soccer, softball and volleyball. Her love for sports ultimately let her to California State University Monterey Bay where she earned a spot on the volleyball team and earned a degree in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration and a minor in Japanese Language and Culture.

Kaila accepted an internship in 2023 with Youth on Course where she assisted in the program operations and played a vital role specifically in the success of our 2023 scholarship program. She officially came on board later that year and has since served on the marketing team to assist in a variety of important operations such as member success, marketing communications and data.

Kaila enjoys coaching competitive youth volleyball, which she has done since 2019, and is passionate about giving back to the local Northern California community that she grew up in.

Yvonne joins our team with 8 years of experience in the golf industry, having worked for both private and public golf courses.

Yvonne was born and raised in Seaside, CA, close to Youth on Course headquarters on the Monterey peninsula. Playing soccer as a young kid impacted her life greatly, and she loves giving back to the community by volunteering at Community Partnership for Youth in Monterey County. 

Yvonne is attending Sacramento State University, where she is currently working on getting her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.

Jenny joined the Youth on Course team to fulfill the ever-growing need for expanding our technology offerings. Jenny works primarily on the YOC Member App and contributes her skills to different web offerings as well.

Jenny attended Aquinas College in Michigan and played golf in both high school and college. She graduated with a dual major in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration.

Joining the YOC team was a pivot for Jenny, as she previously spent most of her time in the healthcare industry (where she met our CTO, Grant)!

When Jenny's not at her computer working her coding magic, she's hanging out with her wonderful family, which consists of her husband, two kids, and two dogs.

Growing up in Monterey County, sports were a huge part of Jazmine Zavala’s life. She played soccer from a young age and competed in both soccer and track & field throughout high school, earning a spot on the varsity team for all four years. Through athletics, she developed resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills that have shaped her career and passion for community-driven work.

Jazmine went on to build a career in marketing and communications, specializing in branding, strategic campaigns, and digital engagement. With expertise in content creation, social media management, website design, and public relations, she has successfully led marketing efforts for nonprofits and cultural organizations. Her work has supported the visibility and growth of local arts, community development, and advocacy initiatives.

With a deep love for nonprofit work and empowering her local community, Jazmine has dedicated her career to amplifying impactful stories and creating opportunities for engagement. Now serving as Digital Marketing Manager at Youth on Course, she continues to leverage her skills to drive meaningful change, ensuring young people have access to opportunities that help them thrive.

Spanish was Jazmine’s first language, and she loves using her bilingual skills to connect with others. She’s married to a Thunderbird in the Air Force, embracing the adventure that comes with military life. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new places with her daughter and seeing the world through her eyes.