Our Team
Patrick Williams
Executive Director
Patrick joined SquashDrive in November of 2020. Originally from Boston, and a SquashBusters alumnus Patrick brings a unique perspective to youth development. After graduating from SquashBusters in 2007, he went on to earn a B.A in sociology at Bates College. After graduating in 2011, Patrick remained in Maine to teach grade school and run Lewiston Squash, a mini urban squash program he started while at Bates. After 2012, Patrick returned to Boston to coach at several squash clubs, including volunteering at SquashBusters. In 2014, Patrick pursued his goal to move to Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, Patrick worked at the YMCA serving as a Youth & Family Program Director for four years. During this time he obtained his Masters of Coaching & Athletic Administration at Concordia University. Patrick is ecstatic to be the Executive Director of SquashDrive as it has been his dream to run an urban squash program.
Vijay Sekaran
Director of Operations and Squash Lead
Vijay started playing squash in 7th grade in Pittsburgh, PA. He captained his high school teams and played competitively into college at Penn. Vijay continued recreationally in the Bay Area for 20 years (Davis, Sunnyvale, and UCSF). His academic passions lead to a career in biomedical engineering and design consulting. He’s always enjoyed connecting people and growing the game of squash. Vijay started volunteering for SquashDrive a few years ago and is now excited to leverage his years of medical device and design experience in new and meaningful ways.
After two years with our students, Vijay experienced their enthusiasm first-hand, and it is contagious! Vijay looks forward to growing our program and wants to share his joy. Squash is so much fun!
Yamileth Catalan
Middle School Program Manager
Yamileth is a first generation Latina born and raised in Los Angeles. She has over 12 years of experience working with youth (ages 4 - 18) inside and outside of the classroom. Yamilth’s passion for youth development came from having great mentors and leaders who supported her throughout her adolescent years at the YMCA. Yamileth is excited to pay it forward to SquashDrive students and help them reach their full potential!
Naija Jones
High School Program Manager
Naija is a Youth Development professional who has worked in the field of Education for 8 years in multiple industries, including hospitality, fitness, and early childhood development. She began working in youth programming while studying at UC Berkeley in 2015, and found it rewarding and enjoyable to work with and make a positive impact in the lives of students. Most notably, she spent three years working for the US Coast Guard as a preschool teacher, and transitioned into a role as Education Director with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland. Most recently, she held a role as Program Manager for an after school program in Alameda. She is passionate about mental health and education reform, and hopes to aid in the task of bringing mental health education and resources to historically disadvantaged communities, and work to change stigma surrounding mental health in childhood development. She is excited to learn and grow alongside her students, and to support them in their future endeavors and aspirations!
Cody Cortes
Interim Squash Coordinator
Cody grew up in the Boston area. He graduated from Princeton University and moved to the Bay Area from Philadelphia, working in education as a 4th grade ELA teacher at a charter school in Oakland for two years. He loves basketball and anime and is excited to get back to playing squash with our students!