Impact Sessions

As USTA's Managing Director of Tennis Advocacy, Patrick Briaud leads the organization's national advocacy strategy—embedding world class advocacy practices across all USTA functions while supporting Section leaders to increase access to courts, influence public policy, and drive strategic partnerships. A former All-American and touring pro, Patrick most recently served as Principal with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Patrick holds an MBA from Yale University and studied Industrial Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. 

“Tennis has shaped my life in countless ways—from USTA juniors to college team tennis to the pro tour … and now introducing the beauty of the sport to my three young children. In this role, I have the privilege of working with passionate colleagues to promote the game I love.”

Sandeep Patel is a seasoned business intelligence and analytics leader with a proven track record of driving data-driven strategies across sports, hospitality, and media industries. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Business Intelligence & Analytics at the USTA, he leads initiatives to grow tennis participation nationwide by leveraging advanced analytics, market insights, and cross-functional collaboration. With prior experience at Marriott Vacations Worldwide and NBC Sports Group, Sandeep brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, technical acumen, and team leadership. He holds an MBA from the University of Central Florida and a BS in Mathematics & Statistics from the University of Leeds.

Alex Torres joined the USTA in November 2023 and currently serves as Senior Manager of Analytics & Insights, where he focuses on bridging the gap between data and the USTA’s mission of growing the game. He brings a strong technical foundation and a passion for tennis to his work, helping turn complex data into actionable insights. Prior to joining the USTA, Alex worked in the tech startup space, gaining broad experience with diverse data tools and techniques—particularly in geospatial analysis. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, playing soccer and tennis, and exploring the outdoors with his wife, young son, and two dogs.

Kali Krisik currently serves as Director of Section Development at the USTA office in Orlando, FL. In this role, she acts as a liaison between Sections and National, providing support and resources in order to serve the USTA’s mission of "growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere.” Originally from Kansas, Kali graduated from the University of Notre Dame as an ITA All-American, two-time NCAA Semifinalist, and the #2 ranked doubles team in the country. She was a PTR certified and collegiate tennis coach before completing a Master of Business Administration and Master of Sports Administration dual-degree from Ohio University. Prior to the USTA, Kali worked in corporate partnerships for various collegiate and professional sports teams including the University of Notre Dame, United States Air Force Academy, and Portland Trail Blazers.

Jamel Madison is a Tennis Professional with over 10 years of experience in customer relations and sports coaching. Tennis has been in his life for the past 20 years, as a player and a coach. His certifications include Eagle Scout, CPR/First Aid Certified, and USPTA Certified. 

There was a time when Coach Jamel was a volunteer coach for youth basketball, soccer, and flag football teams, while also being a Senior Accounting Analyst. In 2023, he took a leap of faith and fully invested into being a Tennis Coach. He got the opportunity to fulfill his purpose, when he acquired the full-time role of Assistant Tennis Professional at a Country Club in DFW. Shortly after, he made his coaching services available to the DFW community with the creation of Madison Ace LLC.

With Madison Ace, Coach Jamel creates a fun, safe place for clients to have complete ownership over how they want Tennis to fit into their lifestyle. Ultimately, his goal is to break barriers & stigmas around tennis by making the sport more accessible to people of all walks of life. As Coach Jamel's Nanny tells him, "This is more than a business, this is his ministry." As a man of God, he strengthened his life by living in this order... God, Self, His Son, Community, Tennis.

With 27 years of experience in the racquet sports industry, Meredith Walton is a highly accomplished professional with an extensive athletic background that includes competing on the pro tour and representing a top 10 Division I university. She is honored to have been inducted into two tennis halls of fame, recognizing her exceptional skills and contributions to the sport. 

Meredith's coaching and teaching experiences have spanned across various platforms, including serving as a Division I head coach, director of a tennis academy, USTA high performance coach, and a director of country club racquet sports. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise allows her to deliver exceptional service, train industry professionals, and consult on various racquet sport-related matters.

As a leader driven by a passion for service and development, Meredith is constantly seeking new ways to enhance her skills and empower others in the industry. She thrives in leading teams, organizing events, and creating programs that drive revenue and increase participation. Her ability to develop talent and grow the bottom line sets her apart in the industry.