MYRALYN NARTEY
President
Playing for Keeps Foundation
Dr. Mimi Nartey is an educator, interdisciplinary scholar, former professional athlete, and nationally recognized community advocate whose work bridges public health, education, and youth development. She holds degrees in Environmental Biology and Climate and Society from Columbia University and completed her doctoral studies in Public Health with a Comparative Education minor. Her career reflects a commitment to advancing equity, opportunity and wellness for young people and families.
A former professional soccer player who represented Ghana in the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup and earned a silver medal in the 2002 African Women’s Cup of Nations, Dr. Nartey understands firsthand the power of sport to transform lives. Transitioning from elite athletics to scholarship and community leadership required navigating new professional spaces and redefining her platform – challenges she embraced with resilience and purpose. She has since dedicated her career to using sport and education as vehicles for empowerment and public health advancement.
Today, Dr. Nartey also serves as Head Coach of the Wiseburn Da Vinci High School Girls Soccer Program, where she has led a measurable cultural transformation centered on excellence, accountability, and character development. Her leadership has inspired student-athletes to perform at high levels academically and athletically while fostering confidence and leadership skills that extend beyond the field. Dr. Nartey embodies leadership that is both visionary and actionable. She does not simply advocate for change – she builds systems, programs and opportunities that create lasting impact. Her work reflects the highest standards of leadership, service, and community responsibility.
