US Squash has filled important positions in its senior management team in recent months, adding Melinda Berkman as Chief Financial Officer in November of 2021 and Nick Kokiko as Vice President of Institutional Advancement this March. Both are new roles at US Squash and reflect the increased complexity and expanding nature of the organization.
“The additions of Melinda and Nick mark a meaningful shift for the organization as we shift from an infrastructure building phase to a growth phase.” said Kevin Klipstein, President & CEO of US Squash. “Two other key investments in our infrastructure we have made are the world’s largest community squash center, and the SaaS Club Locker system providing support to the entire squash community from facility to coach and competitor. We’ve emerged from the pandemic in a position of strength, and we are shaping the strategic framework for growth initiatives focused on increasing access and participation. Melinda and Nick fill critical gaps and will support us in this planning and transition.”
Berkman is responsible for all areas related to finance and administration. Prior to working at US Squash, she was the Interim CFO at United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. Previously, she was CFO at Broad Street Ministry and Vice President, Corporate Accounts at Managers Investment Group. She holds a both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and a Master of Science in Resource Economics from The University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Kokiko is responsible for overseeing all aspects of fundraising for US Squash and future-oriented campaigns. Prior to working at US Squash, he served at the University of Pennsylvania for five years, most recently as the Associate Director of Development within the Department of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics. This tenure was highlighted by being an integral member of the team that raised $241 million for the Penn Athletics Game Onward campaign and by leading the $30 million football training facility campaign. Squash was one of the sports in his portfolio, and Nick was deeply involved in the opening of the Penn Squash Center. Before Penn, he worked in development at the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance. Nick is a graduate of Temple University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics at Penn.
“In the last year we’ve swung from a Covid-reduced number of staff of fewer than twenty, to more than fifty as we also opened a 75,000 square foot squash facility with our headquarters, an urban squash program, high performance space and a Hall of Fame. For the first time as an organization we have a complete senior management team,” said Klipstein. “These hires are a significant step towards building the horsepower we need to drive real growth in the sport.”
