May Premier: Building Blocks for Summer: Strategies for Youth Engagement

Blythe Brown is a true Parks and Recreation kid at heart, having grown from a program participant to a volunteer and now proudly serving in a staff position leading the programs that helped shape her. She is pursuing a degree in Public Service and Public Policy, with a minor in Youth Services Leadership. She has a passion for community programming and teaching the next generation of leaders. When she's not working with the amazing teens in her programs, you’ll likely find her out on a run, exploring a hiking trail, or enjoying a good book.  

Brian McFadden is a Program Manager at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), where he focuses on elevating the quality and impact of coaches across parks and recreation systems nationwide. His work centers on supporting volunteer coaches and parks and recreation professionals to develop high-quality, youth-centered coaching practices that prioritize positive athlete development, skill building, and inclusive sports experiences.

Prior to joining NRPA, he demonstrated his commitment to youth engagement by scaling the Manhattan District Attorney's Saturday Night Lights program from 13 to 30 sites, showcasing his ability to expand impactful youth sports interventions. With a background in Sports-Based Youth Development, Brian is dedicated to ensuring that every young person has access to high-quality, supportive coaching experiences through parks and recreation.

Kent Hunt is a Program Manager for the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), where he supports the Mentoring in Parks and Recreation Initiative as part of the Health and Wellness team. He oversees the NRPA 2022 Out-of-School Time Youth Mentoring grant, a national effort helping parks and recreation agencies integrate mentoring into new and existing out-of-school time programs. In this role, Kent collaborates closely with local leaders to strengthen mentoring strategies, elevate youth voice, and promote positive youth development. Before joining NRPA, Kent spent 14 years with the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, serving in roles such as Teen Program Manager, Youth Program Director, and Recreation Superintendent.

Mike Barsotti serves as the Director of Youth Sports for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. In this role, Mike is responsible for the equitable distribution of athletics resources and programming across the City, with a focus on underserved communities. This position also serves as an ambassador building confidence, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and connecting a diverse population of youth through athletic programming and partnerships.

Before joining the city, Mike was the Director of External Relations for the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative, a nonprofit focused on increasing opportunities for children in Philadelphia to participate in quality programs that will support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through sport. Prior to joining PYSC, he had stints in venture capital, campaign politics, the Pennsylvania Governor's Office, and as a professional baseball player for the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League.

Mike attended Wesleyan University, majoring in Government and pitching for the baseball team, where he set the career strikeout record before signing with the Slammers after graduation.

Mike lives in South Philadelphia with his wife Kate, toddler Matthew, and cat Rey. In his free time he coaches youth baseball, and hangs out around the parks, courts, bars, restaurants, and stadiums of Philly.

Raynetta Brown is a Recreation Coordinator for Youth Programs with the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. She graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Community Advocacy and Social Policy and a minor in Recreation Management. Professionally, she enjoys creating unique opportunities for the community through mobile recreation units and expanding teen development through mentorship programs. Personally, she loves to travel, explore Arizona’s trails, and express her creativity through drawing and painting.