Mackenzie Soldan is the Program Associate. In this role, she supports the Program Officer in the Creating Opportunity and Independence Portfolio (CO&I) and manages the Foundation’s communications, ensuring clear and effective outreach across various platforms.

Originally from Hemlock, Michigan, Mackenzie acquired a spinal cord injury at the age of one. She became a two-time Paralympian and gold medalist, competing in wheelchair basketball and tennis. Beyond her athletic achievements, Mackenzie has built a strong career in the non-profit sector, particularly within the adaptive sports and disability space. She has extensive experience in marketing strategy and implementation, graphic design, website management, event planning, and brings a unique perspective through her lived experience as an individual with a spinal cord injury. Mackenzie graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and a Master’s Degree in Marketing. She was a Neilsen scholar in 2014.

In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys listening to music of all genres, traveling, coaching adaptive sports, and spending time with family and friends.