Global Sports Mentoring Program

Mastering the Waves On and Off Dry Land

Through surfing and skateboarding, Andrea Carolina Martinez rides crests and creates waves of change in her home country of Venezuela. She heads the Zona Rasta Family, currently Venezuela’s largest sports organization for surfing and skateboarding, and works to grow surfing as the president of the Caracas Surfing Association. To top off this trifecta of achievements, Andrea also recently received her certification as a Sports Administrator from Panam Sports.

Her work across surfing and skateboarding knows no troughs. As founder of a surfing school led by instructors who are prominent surfers from a vulnerable community, Andrea gives athletes the opportunity to generate an income through their passion for surfing. She also stimulates interest in skateboarding through grassroots initiatives within schools and designs competitive and formative events for young athletes, coaches, judges, and leaders. Andrea attributes her success to the skills she learned while working in the corporate pharmaceutical industry. Drawing on her 20 years of experience in marketing and management, Andrea brings a high level of professionalism to her organization and the sports ecosystem in Venezuela.

Andrea looks forward to learning how to economically empower her community through her actions. She plans to use what she learns to increase her reach of social projects so that she can help develop communities and eliminate social risks in vulnerable communities.

Andrea will be mentored by Mary Patstone, Executive Director of Spaulding Adaptive Sports Center.

Mary Patstone, Boston, MA

Executive Director, Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers (SASC)

Mary Patstone is the Executive Director of Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers (SASC) which is part of the nationally renowned Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. Mary holds a BA in Political Science from Saint Michael’s College and an MA in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Mary has spent almost the entirety of her career in the nonprofit sector nationally and internationally working for New Partners International Relief for Children based in Washington DC, and nearly 12 years with the American Red Cross.

In 2006, Mary joined the staff of Spaulding Cape Cod as the Vice President of Development. During her tenure at Spaulding Cape Cod, she was instrumental in forming Spaulding’s vibrant adaptive sports and recreation programs serving Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts.

In 2011, Mary became the executive responsible for the creation of Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers having three major centers of operation in Boston, on Cape Cod, and in Salem, MA. Under her tenure, SASC has seen the establishment of the Kelley Institute for Adaptive Sports Research, The McGraw Center for Adaptive Sports, and the Sears Adaptive Hockey Program. Together, these Centers and Programs function as a national model for high-quality programming, research, education and advocacy.

Mastering the Waves On and Off Dry Land

Mentor Matches