Committee Directory

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

DEI Committee
Debora Abrams-Wright
Member at Large		 What is your professional background?
Event Manager
Why is sailing important to you?
It's a very exciting sport that I was lucky to find 10 years ago. Sailing feeds my soul. I belong to a club that is education based, so sharing so much knowledge is very important.
How did you get involved in the DEI Committee and why is being part of this team important to you and the mission of DEI?I was the original DEI committee chairman at its inception several years ago. Being a part of the team is still important to me as there is much more work to be done within this committee.
In a few sentences, please describe yourself.
I'm easy going, driven, and direct. I work hard and play hard. I'm a sports enthusiast who loves to swim and cycle. I'm also a bit of a computer geek.
Abby Baker
Member at Large		 What is your professional background?
I am a student at the University of Michigan studying Neuroscience.
Why is sailing important to you?
Ever since I started sailing, it has been the most important part of my life. It gives me a feeling of freedom, while also connecting with me the best group of people.
How did you get involved in the DEI Committee and why is being part of this team important to you and the mission of DEI?
I got involved through my work on the US Sailing Youth DEI Subcommittee, which I am now Co-Chair of. Being a part of this team gives me a voice in the matter, and I can use my voice to help others who feel that they don't have a say in the DEI policies and procedures of US Sailing.
In a few sentences, please describe yourself.
I am currently a junior at the University of Michigan, majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in music. Outside of sailing, I love to spend time with my friends, family, and dogs. Some of my other hobbies include singing, playing piano, reading, and enjoying the great outdoors.
Jay Baum
Member at Large		 What is your professional background?
Earlier in my career I was a manager in various manufacturing operations, and I was running a printing, die-cutting, and hand assembly company in the early 2000's. To help that company stay competitive I hired a training firm to teach us all "lean operations" techniques, and several years later I joined the training firm. Now I split my time between corporate/factory training and teaching sailing skills.
Why is sailing important to you?
I sailed a little at summer camp and occasionally on vacation, but I got serious about it when I joined a community sailing organization. The work we do making recreation, personal growth opportunities and even careers available to intermediate-school, high-school and adult learners is so gratifying. I've been a member and volunteer for 11 years, and I became part-time staff there 8 years ago. The opportunities for me to learn and grow have changed my life.
How did you get involved in the DEI Committee and why is being part of this team important to you and the mission of DEI?
I joined when one of the army veterans I sail with asked me to support her work on the committee the way I had supported her as she learned to sail. I was honored that she thought I could help, but I was hesitant because I didn't see how I fit into the work. I didn't see a lot of diversity among the sailors I met before I joined a community sailing organization, but I realized that being an ally was exactly what I could do. Being open to understanding why I hadn't seen a lot of diversity previously allows me to help open the sport up to more sailors.
In a few sentences, please describe yourself.
I'm a process-improvement type of person. Rabbi Tarfon, a sage of the first century, wrote "It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either." That seems like a reasonable balance to me, and I try to do my part.
Is there anything else you want to share?
I love the language and language origins of sailing. I recently learned that "fathom," which is equal roughly to an adult armspan, comes from an Old English word meaning "open arms", and shares it's root with the Danish word for hug.
Alison Keenan
Member at Large		 What is your professional background?
I graduated with a MS in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2023, and a BA in Computer Science from Barnard College in 2022. I am currently starting my career in tech.
Why is sailing important to you?
I love getting out on the water to clear my head and I have met so many amazing people though sailing.
How did you get involved in the DEI Committee and why is being part of this team important to you and the mission of DEI?
I started working on DEI with the college sailing TIDE committee in fall 2020. There I worked on coaches and student leaders education program, culture and demographics survey report, policy for transgender and gender non conforming sailors and more.
In a few sentences, please describe yourself.
I grew up in the greater Boston area. Outside of sailing I am a big Red Sox fan!
Renae Mintz
Member at Large		 What is your professional background?
Serial entrepreneur, professor, mechanical design engineering and software design, as well as, quality assurance leadership experience in physical products and software solutions. I am formally trained in mechanical engineering and computer information systems. I have worked for various Fortune 500, as well as, start-up firms with a proven track record in cost reductions and process improvement.
Why is sailing important to you?
Sailing allows me to be one with nature. It allows me to challenge myself both mentally, physically, and emotionally by testing my character, as well as, giving me opportunities to continue to build it. Every obstacle on the water allows me to learn something new that maybe apply in other areas in my life.
How did you get involved in the DEI Committee and why is being part of this team important to you and the mission of DEI?
My sister shared the opportunity to make an impact about something, which I am passionate. Being part of the team allows me to share experiences from my life to not only be utilized to make changes in US Sailing, but also changes within the sport of sailing. Sailing has been so beneficial in my life and I want others who have not traditional been able to benefit from the life lessons in it to know that anyone can sail and be involved in the sport.
In a few sentences, please describe yourself.
I seek knowledge and to add value in everything that I do. I am a twin although my sister looks nothing like me. I am competitive when I need to be, but prefer to be collaborative.
Is there anything else you want to share? I hope this is enough, because this took way longer than 20 minutes due to a writers block. My preference consists of technical documents, which I can easily compose in 5 minutes versus creative writing. If you need anything further please let me know. If this picture does not work, please let me know and I will provide another. Thank you.
Rhonda Mintz
Member at Large		 What is your professional background?
Information systems professional, system analyst, project manager, release manager, mechanical engineer, and professor with a proven track record of developing business solutions for Fortune 500, mid-size, and start-up organizations and instruction of the future generations. Expert problem solver and change agent whose diversified background from various industries. Known as a strong leader with effective conflict resolution abilities and a powerful drive for top- and bottom-line results within multi-site entities.Serial Entrepreneur, Release Manager, Training and Development Professional, Professor and Tutor, Business Re-engineering, System Analyst, Software Development Professional, Business Process improvement Professional, Project Manager, Mechanical Project Engineer.
Why is sailing important to you?
Sailing is important to me, because the sport allows everyone the opportunity to be in nature and use a natural resource to move freely about the water. Sailing teaches so many different skills and life lessons that allows participates to take the values and extend the positivity and creativity to their communities.
How did you get involved in the DEI Committee and why is being part of this team important to you and the mission of DEI?
I became involved with DEI after seeing a DEI meeting on YouTube during a search requesting individuals to join. The sailing communities that I have be involved in were very open and welcoming allowing me space and advice to grow in the sport, so I wanted to give back to assist others in having a positive experience in this sport. My professional and educational experiences had been very different from sailing community facing many obstacles and adversity due to lack of diversity, which impacted me from reaching my full potential. I know that lack of understanding is the biggest reason I had to face obstacle, so I want to make a difference with providing others with knowledge from my experiences.I have a mobility issue where the people around me made life more difficult and stressful than necessary due to their lack of knowledge, so I want to use that experience as well to help others overcome issues that they face when sailing.
In a few sentences, please describe yourself.
I am a positive individual that looks for opportunities to add value to others and my community based on my skills, knowledge, and experience. My primary focus is on enjoying life to the fullest every day and helping others achieve the same goal. Every day I can make it out on the water is a good day.
Is there anything else you want to share?
I have an identical twin sister. Ditto Renae’s comments. If you need more information please let me know and I can work on more. My strong set is not creative writing and I just had a break between classes, so I have not recharged yet.
Marie Rogers
Board Liaison		 What is your professional background?
I started my public teaching career in 1980, specializing in Spanish and English as a Second Language. Since 1986, I've been teaching minors in the entertainment and advertising industries as well as inforcing CA child labor laws.
My sailing instructor career began approximately 12 years ago. I became a licensed captain a few years after.
Why is sailing important to you?
The ability to handle a boat safely and confidently opened my life to a whole world of pleasurable experiences. As a woman, it has been an opportunity to get my hands on engines, electronics, rigging and other essential systems. I’ve also had the pleasure of helping other women fall in love with sailing, especially those who hated it before! Together, we’ve formed wonderful bonds of friendship through our many on-the-water adventures.
How did you get involved in the DEI Committee and why is being part of this team important to you and the mission of DEI?
I've been an admirer of US Sailing's DEI Committee since its inception. I have had the honor to collaborate with members on various projects. Because I have access to boats and boating facilities, I naturally want to share them with people who have historically been denied access. It is with the work of this committee that I hope to educate the old guard on how to provide equitable access to established clubs and sailing programs. I’m also interested in helping establish new clubs that have equity, inclusion and diversity built in from the ground up.
In a few sentences, please describe yourself.
Energetic lover of the outdoors and all it has to offer. I thrive traveling, having contact with people from various cultures and experiencing the world from their eyes. It is important for me to continue the work of my ancestors who were hampered by systematic racism and general lack of access here in the U.S.
Is there anything else you want to share?
I feel the sailing space is ripe for growth and a general transformation, especially with youth and families from different ethnicities as it is happening in gymnastics, swimming, and other sports.
Jamila Schragger
Member at Large		 What is your professional background?
I manage a team of Application engineers in my current role.
I have a background in software development and have held roles in technical consulting, product development, project management and application engineering and development.
Why is sailing important to you?
Two of the main constants in my life have been technology and a love of the outdoors. Working with technology can be great. It does what you tell it to do which is fine until you have to deal with a defect you caused in the code. It can also be fast paced, high stress and demanding. I started sailing in my late 20s. My company had a corporate membership to J/Port in Annapolis. They introduced me to Thursday night racing and by the next year I was racing 2-4 times a week, just in time to participate in all of the Women's International Rolex Keelboat Regattas as they arrived in Annapolis. Racing had become my opportunity to unplug.Over time, I’ve expanded the ways I spend time on the water and to appreciate the myriad ways it contributes to my life. Racing can be incredibly physical while also mind bendingly strategic as we all seek the tactical advantage needed to win. Cruising provides a chance to raft up with friends, explore the local waterways, travel and in general spend quiet time outdoors.
How did you get involved in the DEI Committee and why is being part of this team important to you and the mission of DEI?
"I reached out to the DEI Committee after seeing a Starboard Portal presentation on Increasing DEI in the Sport of Sailing.When a team I raced with placed in the Wednesday night series in the early 2000’s. We quietly noted that it had only been a little over a decade since women were allowed as members. Since that time, some things have changed but a lot hasn’t. The race course does not represent the diversity you see in the community that surrounds it. I hope that my work with US Sailing to further their mission of DEI will open the doors for others to feel welcome and enjoy the sport as much as I do."
In a few sentences, please describe yourself.
Y’all are asking a lot here. Secretly introverted, organized, problem solver, curious and enjoys being physically active.
Is there anything else you want to share?
My daughter has said she wants to race sailboats “just like her Mama”. I won’t hold her to the racing piece but I’d like to know that if she does develop a life long love of the water that she’ll feel welcomed and included throughout the sailing community.