BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Empower Sports Academy Board of Directors brings together world-renowned volleyball legends: Stanford’s Kevin Hambly, Italy’s Giovanni Guidetti, and U.S. Olympic Team manager Denise Sheldon, alongside visionary leaders like architect Malika Junaid and entrepreneur Junaid Qurashi. Representing expertise in sports, business, design, and social impact across the US, Europe, Turkey, Italy, and Pakistan, this globally diverse team is united by a single mission: empowering the next generation of female athletes in Pakistan.
Kevin Hambly
Head Coach, Stanford University Women’s Volleyball
Kevin Hambly is a volleyball coaching icon and the sixth head coach in Stanford’s storied program history. With a career record of 293–114 and two NCAA national titles, he has cemented his legacy as one of collegiate volleyball’s most successful leaders. Since joining Stanford in 2017, he has guided the team to three Pac-12 titles, three consecutive NCAA semifinals, and developed 10 AVCA All-Americans, including two-time National Player of the Year Kathryn Plummer.
Before Stanford, Hambly served as head coach at the University of Illinois, leading the team to the 2011 NCAA title match and six regional appearances. His players earned 75 Academic All-Big Ten honors, reflecting his commitment to excellence on and off the court. A former BYU standout and professional athlete in France, Hambly brings decades of coaching experience and mentorship to Empower’s global mission.
Denise Sheldon
Head Coach, Menlo College Women’s Volleyball | Former USA National Team Manager
Denise Sheldon is a highly respected volleyball coach and leader with over 20 years of national and international experience. As head coach at Menlo College, she led the team to its first GSAC title, return to the NAIA National Tournament, and produced multiple All-GSAC and All-American athletes, including the NAIA Player of the Year.
Before joining Menlo, she spent five years with USA Volleyball, serving as Team Manager for the U.S. Women’s National Team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Later, she directed the Girls’ High Performance National Team Pipeline, identifying and developing top youth talent nationwide. With a USA Volleyball CAP Level IV certification and a strong background in coaching education, Denise continues to elevate the standards of women’s volleyball globally.
Giovanni Guidetti
Head Coach, VakıfBank Spor Kulübü (Turkey) | Former Head Coach, Turkey National Team
Giovanni Guidetti is one of the most accomplished volleyball coaches in the world. Since 2008, he has led VakıfBank Istanbul to multiple European Champions League and Club World Championship titles, including gold at the 2013 Club World Championship.
Guidetti has also coached several national teams, including Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Turkey, guiding them to podium finishes at European Championships, World Grand Prix, and the 2016 Olympics. Twice named Coach of the Year in Italy, his strategic brilliance and consistency have earned him global recognition as a transformative leader in the sport.
Malika Junaid
Founder & Principal, M•Designs Architects | President, DIL Silicon Valley
Malika Junaid is an award-winning architect, sustainability pioneer, and community leader. As founder and principal of M•Designs Architects, her work has received top honors including the META Remodeling Award and the Environmental Quality Award from the City of Menlo Park for designing one of the city’s most sustainable homes.
A passionate advocate for green innovation, She founded the Green Learning Institute and co-founded the Pakistan Green Building Council, now part of the World Green Building Council. Beyond architecture, Malika serves as President of Development in Literacy (DIL) Silicon Valley and as a Board Member of OPEN Silicon Valley, championing women’s education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
Junaid Qurashi
Founder & Managing Partner, MDI Fund | Chairman, SMB Services
Junaid Qurashi is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, investor, and sustainability advocate with over 30 years of experience in technology and asset management. As Founder and Managing Partner of MDI Fund and Chairman of SMB Services, he has built successful ventures across the U.S. and Pakistan and holds multiple patents in virtualization technology.
Junaid co-founded the Pakistan Green Building Council and has been a driving force behind promoting sustainable architecture and entrepreneurship in Pakistan. A former President of OPEN Silicon Valley, he continues to mentor founders and innovators. He holds an MBA from Santa Clara University, a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and has completed the Stanford GSB Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship.
