OUR TEAM

• Board of Directors
• Resource Council
• Staff

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Derek Jeter, Founder and Chairman
Dr. S. Charles Jeter, Vice Chairman
Dorothy C. Jeter, Treasurer
Sharlee Jeter, Secretary
Nneka A. Frye, Member
Hannah Jeter, Member
Kimberly Barr, Member
Geoff Walker, Member

RESOURCE COUNCIL

David Addams, Graustein Memorial Fund
Dannie Alexander, Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Rachel Ascher, Goldman Sachs
Jeff Barker, Bank of America
Lori Bassano, Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners
Rebecca Bast, Bast Financial Group
Phil Carra, ApJohn Group
Julie Connors, Bloomberg
Kim Ditomasso, Ditto Consulting
Gregory J. Fleming, Rockefeller Capital Management
Lauren Goldstein, Consultant
Scott Hocevar, Scott's Sports Cards, Coins & Jewelry
Jonathan Koch, The Law Offices of Jonathan C. Koch
Martha Korman-Zumwalt, Crossroads Advisorsory
Timothy Lemanski, Community Volunteer
Diane Marquess, Turn 2 Foundation Program Consultant
Denise Masella, CHUBB
James F. O'Rourke, Great Star Tools USA, Inc.
Joel Orosz, Distinguished Professor of Philanthropic Studies Emeritus, Grand Valley State University
Derrick Ricca, Greenleaf Hospitality Group
Gregory Sauter, WGI, Inc.
Todd Smith, Pledge It
Gregg A. Walker, G.A. Walker, LLC
Cheryl Washington, Journalist & Educator
Tamer Yousseff, Fusion Pharmaceuticals
Bryan Zocher, Kalamazoo RESA

STAFF

Sharlee Jeter, President
Simona Betton, Director of Programs
Hannah Perez, Operations Manager
Dr. Harold Swift, Kalamazoo Jeter's Leaders Program Director
Katie Renn, Executive Assistant to the President
Rafael Castillo, New York Jeter's Leaders Program Coordinator
Karina Ortega, New York Jeter's Leaders Program Coordinator

SHARLEE JETER, President

Sharlee Jeter is president of The Turn 2 Foundation, a non-profit established by Derek Jeter in 1996 to help young people reach their full potential by fostering leadership development, academic achievement, healthy lifestyles and social change.

Since she assumed leadership of Turn 2 in 2010, Sharlee has taken the Foundation to new heights, elevating its profile across the country while successfully channeling its fundraising power to achieve staggering results, as demonstrated by its signature Jeter's Leaders initiative. For 17 consecutive years, 100% of high school students have graduated from the Jeter's Leaders program and attended college. Through an internship initiative Sharlee helped create, Turn 2 has placed high school students in 181 paid internships at various world-class organizations over the years. In 2017, Turn 2 permanently endowed its fourth college scholarship, the UNCF/Sharlee Jeter Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a Jeter's Leaders graduate to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). In 2019, Turn 2 donated $100,000 to UNCF to help fund scholarships for eligible high school graduates attending HBCUs, and Sharlee was honored by the organization with the Keeper of the Flame award.

In addition to her role at Turn 2, Sharlee is vice president of strategy and development for Jeter Ventures, which encompasses Derek's full portfolio of business operations. She also oversees the children and adult divisions of Jeter Publishing, an imprint of Simon & Schuster launched in 2013 that has released New York Times Bestseller The Contract, its follow-up, Hit & Miss, and Change Up. Additionally, Sharlee serves on the Women's National Basketball Players Association's Board of Advocates.

Sharlee is co-author of a powerful book with Dr. Sampson Davis titled, The STUFF: Unlock Your Power to Overcome Challenges, Soar and Succeed. The STUFF was inspired by the authors' own personal challenges and is intended to empower readers to recognize their own strength and potential to succeed.

Sharlee began her involvement with The Turn 2 Foundation in 1996 as a high school volunteer. At the age of 18, she was named to the board of directors. In 2002, she joined the Foundation full-time as program director, developing a number of successful initiatives, including a partnership with The St. Joseph's School for the Deaf in the Bronx that led to the integration of the deaf into many Turn 2 programs and events in New York and Michigan. Sharlee was promoted to director of development in 2004, and in 2007, she was named vice president. Recognized as a champion for young people and social change, Sharlee is the recipient of the One Hundred Black Men's Jackie Robinson and Community Impact Award and has been named as a Notable Black Leader and Executive by Crain’s New York Business and a Nonprofit Power Player by Politics NY and amNY Metro.

Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Mich., Sharlee graduated in 1997 from Kalamazoo Central High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 2001 from Spelman College in Atlanta. Sharlee currently resides in New Jersey with her son, Jalen.

SIMONA BETTON, Director of Programs

A New York Jeter's Leaders alumna, Simona Betton returned to the Turn 2 Foundation after college to serve as an intern in June 2012 and began as a full-time employee later that year. Throughout her 12-year career at the Foundation, Simona has held various roles and currently serves as director of programs.

In her position, Simona oversees the New York and Kalamazoo Jeter's Leaders programs, and plays a lead role in planning, organizing and executing key events, including college tours, community service projects and the Jeter's Leaders Leadership Conference. She also works collaboratively with partners and directors to maximize the efficiency of program operations.

Simona graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and a minor in sociology. She resides in upstate New York, and her hobbies include playing basketball, spending time with friends and family and participating in outdoor activities. Simona is grateful for her experiences as a Jeter's Leader and is passionate about helping future Leaders achieve their full potential.

"Coming back to work at the Turn 2 Foundation as an employee was my way of giving back for everything the Jeter's Leaders program had done for me," she said.

HANNAH PEREZ, Operations Manager

Hannah Perez joined the Turn 2 Foundation in Nov. 2018 as office manager. In this role, she manages the New York office, builds and maintains office-vendor relationships, serves as a liaison for accounting, provides support with Kalamazoo office needs and oversees our college interns.

Prior to Turn 2, Hannah worked at healthcare start-up Zocdoc, where she managed construction and renovation projects, planned events with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion, managed operational vendor accounts and helped oversee the facility, catering and operations teams.

Hannah grew up in Colorado and currently resides in New York City. She earned her bachelor's degree in international trade and marketing with a minor in economics from the Fashion Institute of Technology-SUNY. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys rafting, hot yoga, skiing and exploring different cultures through food and travel. She also values spending time with her family and their four dogs in Colorado.

DR. HAROLD SWIFT, Kalamazoo Jeter's Leaders Program Director

Harold Swift joined the Turn 2 Foundation in May 2018 as Kalamazoo Jeter's Leaders program director. Harold plays a key role in developing the program and promoting the core values of the Turn 2 Foundation, while creating new partnerships and strengthening relationships with previous program partners. As program director, Harold works to motivate the young people in the Jeter's Leaders program to excel in school, lead healthy lifestyles and serve as leaders in their communities.

Prior to Turn 2, Harold served as a priority school and community specialist at Woodward Elementary School in Kalamazoo, Michigan. During his time there, Harold connected families with social service programs and mental health services. 

Harold grew up in Kalamazoo, where he currently resides with his wife, Kari, and two sons, Delvin and Wilson. He received his bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University in psychology and criminal justice. Harold earned his master's degree in sports administration, as well as his Ph.D. in educational leadership at Western Michigan University. In his spare time, Harold enjoys being with his family, weight training, coaching basketball, writing and reading self-development books.

KATIE RENN, Executive Assistant

Katie Renn joined the Turn 2 Foundation in May 2020 as executive assistant to the president. In this capacity, Katie works closely with Sharlee Jeter to manage Turn 2’s day-to-day operations and special events. Her role also includes research and liaising with staff on a wide range of projects to ensure that the president is supported in the most comprehensive way. Prior to Turn 2, Katie served as assistant and project manager to a well-known documentarian, where she aided with production and distribution, and helped to facilitate film festival tours.

Katie was born and raised in New Jersey, and currently resides in New York City. She earned her Master’s degree in fine arts from Rutgers University and her bachelor’s degree in theatre from Montclair State University. In her spare time, Katie enjoys cooking, party-planning, reading, letter writing and spending time with her two nieces.

“Turn 2’s mission of investing in young people and helping them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives is incredibly noble and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

RAFAEL CASTILLO, New York Jeter's Leaders Program Coordinator

Rafael Castillo joined The Turn 2 Foundation in May 2023 as a New York Jeter’s Leaders program coordinator. Rafael helps spearhead initiatives for the New York Jeter’s Leaders and promotes Turn 2’s values of academic excellence, leadership development, positive behavior and social change among youth. In his role, he manages the Jeter’s Leaders internship program, organizes field trips and collaborates with the team on special events and fundraisers.

Previously, Rafael served as a family services coordinator at Head Start in the Bronx. He was also a research coordinator as part of an asthma research study. Additionally, Rafael has more than 15 years of experience working with local youth in New York City through teaching swimming, coaching little league baseball, leading extracurricular activities and planning enrichment opportunities for afterschool programs. Rafael received his bachelor’s degree in history and education from Lehman College.

“I am most excited about building relationships with both the Leaders and their families, while upholding the mission of the Foundation. Most importantly, I want to have a positive influence in the lives of the young Leaders by encouraging their academic achievements, being a role model and mentor, and promoting good values and discipline.”