Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Wilson.
Hi Gina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Grassroots Director Experience: Has spent over 15 years directing grassroots basketball programs as a volunteer, including:
Co-founding Team CHAOS in Laurel, MD in 2010 and serving as Youth Director & HS grassroots support for DC Premier 2014-2021) Serving for the past 4 years as the Girls Director for Team Thrill (co-founded by NBA veteran Will “Thrill” Barton) in Baltimore, MD. As of 2022, I am also Founder of CHAOS Foundation, a non-profit organization providing resources to support student-athletes (in volleyball, basketball, football, & track/field) with mental health, academics, training, and financial literacy resources.
Impact: Has directly contributed to the success of student-athletes in the DMV area, helping over a hundred boys and girls secure athletic scholarships to play collegiate basketball, with several others achieving the goal of playing professionally.
I got to where I am today by the passion of helping others instilled in me by those that helped shape my experience as a student-athlete and also as a parent that had to figure things out to help my children reach their goals collegiately and professionally. I truly believe that everything you want in life is on the other side of helping others. My professional career in technology and managing large/complex programs at scale as also allowed me incorporate a professional approach in managing youth sports to ultimately provide a good experience for the youth while giving back to the community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. Early struggles were around being an independent program and financially managing a program with little to no resources and supporting the early stages of knowledge to those being a part of a travel/aau basketball program, Some of the struggles along the way are that you can actually “care” too much and grassroots basketball can be a bit “cut throat” with so many teams in the DMV area competing for players. My goal is always to provide a guide/blue print that is proven from early level youth sports to college commitment. Some call it a “thankless” job, but I surround myself with gratitude that I’ve been able to able youth within and outside of the program reach their goals. I continue to educate as best as possible and provide student-athletes with an insurmountable amount of resources, coaching, mentoring, and advocacy.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As my work profession, I have been immersed in a profession of technology for over 25 years working for Fortune 100 companies in that span managing high level/complex programs such a threat intelligence, systems implementation, and global product engineering. Known for creating and/or streamlining processes is what sets me apart from others. I’ve utilized this expertise also as an entrepreneur/CEO of RGT Consulting Solutions LLC.
In my volunteer role, I specialize in educating families and advocating for student-athletes (basketball) to achieve their goal of playing in college and professionally. There’s no single most proud of moment, but overall I am most proud seeing each player through their journey from start to finish (grassroots basketball to college) and in many cases remaining as a mentor/coach to call upon after college. What sets me apart from others is that I lead with love and not being associated in my profession with basketball on a day to day basis, it is truly something I am doing to give back.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with me by volunteering for coaching and/or basketball operations roles. While partnerships help power our mission, we rely on public donations to fill the gaps and ensure every student gets the support they need. Because we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your contribution is tax-deductible and goes directly toward making a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ourchaosfoundation.org
- Instagram: msgina_w
- Twitter: teamthrill_gbb
