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Our Team
Darya Kaboli-Nejad
Founder/President
Darya’s journey to founding The Soraya Foundation is rooted in resilience, determination, and the community who always believed in her. A first-generation Iranian American raised in Omaha, Nebraska, she walked on to the top-ranked University of Oregon softball team and earned a scholarship through dedication, discipline, and refusing to take no as an answer. After her athletic career, she carried that same drive into law school, graduating among the top of her class and now practices at a leading global law firm - and this is just the beginning of the dreams she is determined to pursue. Darya lives by the belief that “you can’t force change, you can only inspire it,” a truth she’s seen firsthand. She is where she is today because people invested in her potential when she needed it most — motivating her to dream bigger, push further, and give back with purpose. The Soraya Foundation is her way of paying that forward, giving the same support, guidance, and opportunity to the athletes who come after her.
Gwen Edwards brings a lifetime of experience at the highest levels of sport and leadership to The Soraya Foundation. Raised in Davie, Florida, she became an All-American at the University of Oregon before spending seven years competing professionally across the U.S., Japan, and on the international stage. Her work off the field has been just as meaningful — serving on intersectional equity and culture councils, mentoring athletes, and managing major national accounts with a people-first approach. With a master’s degree in Athletic Administration from Indiana University, Gwen understands both the opportunities and the gaps that shape an athlete’s life beyond competition. Her journey fuels her commitment to helping former student-athletes navigate their next chapter with clarity, confidence, and community.
Gwen Edwards
Vice President/Secretary
Tori Whalen understands firsthand how athletics can shape the confidence, resilience, and determination needed to succeed long after competition ends. As a walk-on member of the Rollins College softball team, she learned some of life's most enduring lessons through sport. Those experiences guided her through law school and continue to influence the way she approaches leadership, mentorship, and service today. Tori is now an attorney at Day Pitney LLP, where she advises clients on complex commercial litigation matters and is a member of the firm's Sports, Media & Entertainment practice group. She is passionate about helping former student-athletes navigate life after athletics with clarity and purpose, and is committed to ensuring that they have the support they need to pursue the next chapter.
Tori Whalen
Board Member
Andy Frankel brings decades of leadership, mentorship, and professional excellence to The Soraya Foundation. Through his distinguished legal career, Andy built a reputation as one of the nation's leading trial and appellate lawyers, serving as former Head of Simpson Thacher's Insurance and Reinsurance Practice and advising clients on some of the most complex and high-profile disputes in the country. Over more than 30 years, he has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts across the United States and has been widely recognized as one of the nation's leading insurance litigators, including multiple Insurance Litigator of the Year and MVP honors. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Andy has always been committed to investing in the growth and success of others. He believes that talent deserves opportunity and that meaningful mentorship can change the trajectory of a person's life. Through his involvement with Soraya, Andy is dedicated to helping former student-athletes pursue ambitious goals, overcome barriers, and confidently navigate their next chapter beyond competition.
Andy Frankel
Board Member
Jason Godelman understands firsthand the dedication, discipline, and resilience required to balance athletics and academics at a high level. Recruited to swim at Colgate University, he developed the work ethic and perseverance that would later shape his career in law. After graduation, Jason earned his Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School and now advises clients on complex corporate matters at Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Throughout his journey, Jason experienced the profound impact that mentors, coaches, teammates, and community support can have on a person's future. His transition from collegiate athletics to the legal profession reinforced his belief that success is often build through the opportunities and guidance provided by those willing to invest in others. Through his involvement with The Soraya Foundation, Jason is committed to helping former student-athletes pursue ambitious goals and confidently navigate their next chapter beyond competition.
Jason Godelman
Board Member
Jack Maine
Director of Branding
Jaycie Schenone
Director of Storytelling
A heartfelt thank you to our Volunteers!
The Soraya Foundation is built on the dedication of individuals who commit their time, energy, and skills to support this mission. They take on the work that needs to be done - often quietly - and their contributions make everything we do possible.
Our Volunteers: Lily Eltzroth, Jena Robertson, Wilson Munsterman, Mary Pelan, Lexi Naone, Cylie Wieck, Will Pape, Jack Dotzler, Megan Forst