Our Team

Dickie Herbst
Founder

Email: dickie@nxtathletics.org

Dave Fish
Founder
Email: dave@nxtathletics.org
Colin Drury
Founder

Email: colin@nxtathletics.org

Claire Roth
Advisory Board Member

Claire is a former three-sport varsity athlete at Harvard and Ivy League Women's Doubles Champion in tennis. 

She has spent over a decade in USTA leadership serving on national collegiate and junior committees and was named ITA Collegiate Varsity Volunteer of the Year in 2014. Claire has held public service roles in the White House, Department of Justice, and Department of Energy. As founder of CSR College Counseling and a dedicated nonprofit fundraiser.

 Claire brings a unique blend of. strategic leadership and experience to create meaningful. inclusive pathways for youth through sport.

Email: claire.roth@gmail.com
Neal MacKertich
Strategic Advisor

Dr. Mackertich brings a background in systems engineering and expertise in process optimization to NXT Athletics. 

As the founding Director of the Raytheon Six Sigma Institute, he led efforts to improve performance and organizational efficiency across complex systems. An accomplished tennis player who competed professionally on the International Tennis Federation Satellite Circuit, Neal is passionate about helping young people enjoy "learning how to learn and problem solve with others."

Email: nmackertich@gmail.com
Sophie Wax
Director of Communications & Programming

Sophie recently graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University, where she majored in biology and was a four-year member of the varsity tennis team. 

As a grant fellow, she conducted independent research in genetics, molecular, and cellular biology-focusing on host-parasite interactions, protein transport, and protein scaffolding. Drawing on both her scientific training and athletic background, Sophie designs NXT programs- like clinics, Matchplay days, and family events-that give kids and families the freedom to explore, connect and Just Play!

Email: sophie@nxtathletics.org

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