Cathy Oerter
Cathy Oerter is the founder and CEO of Art of the Olympians, established in 2006, blending her passions for both art and sports. A standout track and field athlete, she launched the women’s track program at Iowa State University and has earned multiple degrees in art and education. Cathy has taught art, led workshops internationally, and remains active in promoting youth achievement and peace initiatives through art and sports. She continues to honor her late husband Al Oerter’s vision by supporting education, the arts, and global peace efforts.
Roald Bradstock
Roald Bradstock, Executive Director, is a former Olympic javelin thrower (1984 & 1988 for Great Britain) and Olympic artist (2000 for the USA), often called “The Olympic Picasso” for his unique fusion of sports and art. Competing in two Olympic Games and setting World Age Records, Roald also earned recognition for his artistic talents, winning the 2000 USOC Sports Art Competition. He has been a pioneer in sport art, staging performance art at Olympic Trials and conducting global workshops. Roald's lifelong passion is uniting athletics and culture, inspired by the vision of Al Oerter.
HSH Prince Albert ll
HSH Prince Albert ll of Monaco, Trustee, is a five time Olympian who competed in the two-man and four-man bobsleigh at five consecutive Winter Olympics for Monaco (1988 Calgary, 1992 Albertville, 1994 Lillehammer, 1998 Nagano and 2002 Salt Lake City). Albert has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1985. His wife Charlène, Princess of Monaco is a former Olympic swimmer who competed for South Africa. Prince Albert is a patron of the Arts and long time supporter of Art of the Olympians and other activities of the Al Oerter Foundation.
Edward Stransenback
Specialist in international sports and event marketing, public relations and media. He has also managed or advised on media relations projects at several winter and summer Olympics and numerous international sporting events.
Markus Sherry
Board Financial Officer. Founder of Riverdale Dental Associates with six dental practices serving the Fort Myers community for over thirty years; B.S. Chemistry University of Florida, DMD College of Dentistry, University of Florida.
Anita DeFrantz
Lifetime member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), first female vice-president of the IOC Executive Committee; former Vice President of Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (1981-’84) and former Vice President of FISA. Anita has been the President of the LA84 Foundation since 1987. She is also an Olympic bronze medalist in the women’s eight rowing event (1976).
Marc Serota
Marc Serota is an award winning Photographer and Instructor. He is the CO-Founder of Polaroid University and Director of the LHP Media Group. He has published dozens of Coffee Table books on Iconic Entertainers and Hall of Fame Athletes such as Brittney Spears, Dan Marino, John Elway, Dwyane Wade, Troy Aikman, Brett Favre and many others. Marc has also published many Children’s Books.
Andrea Carska-Sheppard
Andrea Carska-Sheppard is a lawyer, arbitrator, and general counsel on corporate matters for a global company whose primary focus is enhancing employees’ well-being. She manages legal affairs for all subsidiaries around the world (200 countries and territories). Andrea is a strong proponent of integrity and well-being in business and sports including fostering safe sports, ethics, and integrity in sports through media and arts.
Kevin Murphy
Administrative Assistant Department of Collections, Information and Access at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Kevin has over 25 years in office administration in both commercial and non-profits sectors and has worked supporting and coordinating exhibitions, student/ teacher programs and scholar and intern programs.
Jimmy Mellado
President and CEO of Compassion International based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jimmy previously served as President of the Willow Creek Association (WCA) in South Barrington, Illinois, from 1993 to 2013. He also competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics as a decathlete for El Salvador.
Emanuela Pierantozzi
Artist Representative. Two time Olympic medalist for Italy in women’s Judo; European Olympic Committee 2001 – 2005; appointment to Italian Ministry Commission for Anti-doping 2002; Women and Sport Commission 2003 – 2006; Professional sculptor.
Steve Apesos
Steve's deep experince in PR, Sports Marketing and sponsorhips and his passion for the Olympic Games makes him a perfect fit as Board Member and Development Officer at THE AL OERTER FOUNDATION INC, proud supporter of the Art of the Olympians (AOTO) international organization. AOF brings together athletes from the Olympics and the sporting world. Through the athletes’ creative talents, AOF provides programs of art, education, sports and cultural outreach to inspire individuals and communities to uphold the virtues of excellence above winning.
M.J. Furman
M.J. has over 25 years of experience in the event industry. A New York City native, he’s played key roles in major events including the NYC Marathon, The Gates Project in Central Park, the Beijing International Triathlon, and the Red Bull Air Race. Raised by a father in sports marketing and PR, M.J. was immersed early on in large-scale events like the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, Battle of the Network Stars, and the America’s Cup. He now focuses on operations, logistics, and production for special events, collaborating with people who are passionate about their craft.
Lisa Carter
Lisa Carter is an international relations leader specializing in protocol, language services, and global event operations. She brings to the Al Oerter Foundation and Art of the Olympians Board of Directors deep experience leading high profile international initiatives and building strategic partnerships. She currently serves as Director and Head of Language Services for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, overseeing multilingual communications for one of the world’s largest global events. Her previous roles include leadership positions with the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority, Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Lisa is driven by a passion for youth development and the transformative power of sport and education.
Cathy Oerter
Cathy Oerter is the founder and CEO of Art of the Olympians, established in 2006, blending her passions for both art and sports. A standout track and field athlete, she launched the women’s track program at Iowa State University and has earned multiple degrees in art and education. Cathy has taught art, led workshops internationally, and remains active in promoting youth achievement and peace initiatives through art and sports. She continues to honor her late husband Al Oerter’s vision by supporting education, the arts, and global peace efforts.
Roald Bradstock
Roald Bradstock, Executive Director, is a former Olympic javelin thrower (1984 & 1988 for Great Britain) and Olympic artist (2000 for the USA), often called “The Olympic Picasso” for his unique fusion of sports and art. Competing in two Olympic Games and setting World Age Records, Roald also earned recognition for his artistic talents, winning the 2000 USOC Sports Art Competition. He has been a pioneer in sport art, staging performance art at Olympic Trials and conducting global workshops. Roald's lifelong passion is uniting athletics and culture, inspired by the vision of Al Oerter.
HSH Prince Albert ll
HSH Prince Albert ll of Monaco, Trustee, is a five time Olympian who competed in the two-man and four-man bobsleigh at five consecutive Winter Olympics for Monaco (1988 Calgary, 1992 Albertville, 1994 Lillehammer, 1998 Nagano and 2002 Salt Lake City). Albert has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1985. His wife Charlène, Princess of Monaco is a former Olympic swimmer who competed for South Africa. Prince Albert is a patron of the Arts and long time supporter of Art of the Olympians and other activities of the Al Oerter Foundation.
Edward Stransenback
Specialist in international sports and event marketing, public relations and media. He has also managed or advised on media relations projects at several winter and summer Olympics and numerous international sporting events.
Markus Sherry
Board Financial Officer. Founder of Riverdale Dental Associates with six dental practices serving the Fort Myers community for over thirty years; B.S. Chemistry University of Florida, DMD College of Dentistry, University of Florida.
Anita DeFrantz
Lifetime member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), first female vice-president of the IOC Executive Committee; former Vice President of Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (1981-’84) and former Vice President of FISA. Anita has been the President of the LA84 Foundation since 1987. She is also an Olympic bronze medalist in the women’s eight rowing event (1976).
Marc Serota
Marc Serota is an award winning Photographer and Instructor. He is the CO-Founder of Polaroid University and Director of the LHP Media Group. He has published dozens of Coffee Table books on Iconic Entertainers and Hall of Fame Athletes such as Brittney Spears, Dan Marino, John Elway, Dwyane Wade, Troy Aikman, Brett Favre and many others. Marc has also published many Children’s Books.
Andrea Carska-Sheppard
Andrea Carska-Sheppard is a lawyer, arbitrator, and general counsel on corporate matters for a global company whose primary focus is enhancing employees’ well-being. She manages legal affairs for all subsidiaries around the world (200 countries and territories). Andrea is a strong proponent of integrity and well-being in business and sports including fostering safe sports, ethics, and integrity in sports through media and arts.
Kevin Murphy
Administrative Assistant Department of Collections, Information and Access at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Kevin has over 25 years in office administration in both commercial and non-profits sectors and has worked supporting and coordinating exhibitions, student/ teacher programs and scholar and intern programs.
Jimmy Mellado
President and CEO of Compassion International based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jimmy previously served as President of the Willow Creek Association (WCA) in South Barrington, Illinois, from 1993 to 2013. He also competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics as a decathlete for El Salvador.
Emanuela Pierantozzi
Artist Representative. Two time Olympic medalist for Italy in women’s Judo; European Olympic Committee 2001 – 2005; appointment to Italian Ministry Commission for Anti-doping 2002; Women and Sport Commission 2003 – 2006; Professional sculptor.
Steve Apesos
Steve's deep experince in PR, Sports Marketing and sponsorhips and his passion for the Olympic Games makes him a perfect fit as Board Member and Development Officer at THE AL OERTER FOUNDATION INC, proud supporter of the Art of the Olympians (AOTO) international organization. AOF brings together athletes from the Olympics and the sporting world. Through the athletes’ creative talents, AOF provides programs of art, education, sports and cultural outreach to inspire individuals and communities to uphold the virtues of excellence above winning.
M.J. Furman
M.J. has over 25 years of experience in the event industry. A New York City native, he’s played key roles in major events including the NYC Marathon, The Gates Project in Central Park, the Beijing International Triathlon, and the Red Bull Air Race. Raised by a father in sports marketing and PR, M.J. was immersed early on in large-scale events like the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, Battle of the Network Stars, and the America’s Cup. He now focuses on operations, logistics, and production for special events, collaborating with people who are passionate about their craft.
Lisa Carter
Lisa Carter is an international relations leader specializing in protocol, language services, and global event operations. She brings to the Al Oerter Foundation and Art of the Olympians Board of Directors deep experience leading high profile international initiatives and building strategic partnerships. She currently serves as Director and Head of Language Services for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, overseeing multilingual communications for one of the world’s largest global events. Her previous roles include leadership positions with the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority, Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Lisa is driven by a passion for youth development and the transformative power of sport and education.
