Liz Deegan is currently in her sixth year as Executive Director at AdvantageCLE.  Liz comes from John Carroll University, where she spent seven years in youth development programming through the Center for Service and Social Action. She worked with many Cleveland area schools and children through the programs We the People and Youth for Justice, both of which come from the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education. She also ran a literacy program called Carroll Reads, which was a one-on-one tutoring program for children in grades K-3.

 

Liz previously held roles as a consultant with Facing History and Ourselves, an English teacher at Hudson High School and a public relations manager with Cleveland Landmarks Press, Inc. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Liz grew up on the tennis courts and is excited to see what AdvantageCLE can do to make an impact in Cleveland.​

Jenna Alfieri joined AdvantageCLE as a full-time Academic Program Director in April of 2023. Prior to that, Jenna worked with AdvantageCLE part-time assisting with all social media, marketing, and fundraising efforts. Jenna graduated from Kent State University in 2019 with a degree in Public Relations and Marketing.

 

Jenna holds a strong passion and has a lot of experience when it comes to nonprofit work, tennis, and after-school programming. Jenna previously held roles as a marketing and design coordinator for a nonprofit software, a Community Relations Assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a Community Center Development Specialist with Americorps and a mentor and tutor with America Reads, America Counts. 

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Jenna is a tennis player herself and was introduced to the game through a local clinic growing up, so AdvantageCLE is truly where her heart and passion for the game come to life!

With over 30 years of competitive sports experience, as well as more than 20 years of coaching (from rec leagues/camps to High School level) Kyle is dedicated to fostering athletic talent. Tennis is his main passion; he has been playing for over 12 years and has taught the sport with Advantage Cleveland for the past three years. As an active member of the Cleveland Racquet Club, he strives to bring the great game of tennis to underrepresented groups, creating pathways to success and higher education through the sport.

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Kyle thoroughly enjoys traveling, cooking, baking, live music, Cleveland sports and spending time with his wife, family & friends. He is a native Clevelander, growing up in the East Side suburbs, and became a decorated student-athlete while at Orange High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies with a minor in Sociology from Ohio University.

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His favorite motto is, “One ball at a time,”

He is inspired by the words of Arthur Ashe:

“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”