About Us



  • Growing up in New Jersey in the ’70s and ’80s was its own kind of international education - especially for a football-obsessed kid.

    We were the children of first-generation immigrants, raised among a chorus of accents, traditions, foods, and flags from every corner of the world. And yet, somehow, we spoke one common language.

    The game.

    Back then, football was called an “immigrant sport.” We wore that label without shame. We were already part of something global, something bigger than borders. The fields were open, the goals were makeshift, and the game belonged to everyone.

    Our coaches weren’t licensed; they were fathers. Men carrying pieces of their homelands in their pockets, passing them down through every drill, every touch, every Sunday morning. They weren’t just teaching a sport, they were planting roots. Seeds meant to outlive them.

    A reminder of where we came from and what held us together.

    Then came 1994.
     A World Cup on American soil.
     And with it, a shift.

    What followed was the slow construction of a system, one that put a price on passion. Paid trainers. Permitted fields. Insurance policies. Gatekeepers.

    The game that once asked for nothing began to demand everything.

    What was once the most accessible sport in the world became, in the U.S., a billion-dollar industry. And in the process, it built invisible walls-turning opportunity into privilege, and the pitch into a place of exclusion.

    It left behind the very kids who needed it most.

    The ones like us.

    That is why Sound of GOL exists.

    Because the fight is not just about access, it’s about reclaiming something sacred.  And no matter how long it takes, no matter how hard the road becomes, the pursuit of equity in the world’s game cannot end.


    — George Valencia

Meet the Team

  • George Valencia

    FOUNDER

    A storyteller with soul, George bleeds football, not just as a sport, but as a mirror of life’s triumphs, tragedies, and transformations. He writes with a fire that blends activism, heart, and hope, especially for the underdog. Whether he’s penning a heartfelt apology, rewriting a birthday wish with warmth, or calling out injustice in the sport he loves, he brings a sharp emotional edge and deep sense of purpose. There’s always meaning in his message, and usually, a movement behind it.

    He’s a connector of people, cultures, and causes. A lover of humanity, a critic of hypocrisy. One foot in the game, the other planted firmly in the fight for something bigger.

  • Judy Reyes

    FOUNDER

    Judy is a Dominican-American actress and producer known for her iconic roles in Scrubs, Devious Maids, and Claws, and currently stars as Lieutenant Selena Soto in ABC’s High Potential. A passionate activist and advocate for immigrant rights, representation, and social justice, she uses her platform to champion equity and amplify underrepresented communities.

  • Anna Chanduvi

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Anna is a sports, media, and technology executive who has built a career managing global content strategy, rights acquisition, and digital growth for organisations like Meta, beIN Sports, The Jockey Club and others. Recognized as a Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree, she has brokered major deals for premier properties including the Olympic Games, Women's and Men's Champions League Football, tennis, athletics and many others. Beyond her corporate achievements, Anna is deeply committed to advancing gender equality on and off the pitch.  

  • Alex Stone

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Alex is a communications leader who has worked in football since 2000 across 30+ countries for the Football Association, FIFA, and Women in Football.

    He has led award-winning PR campaigns, managed media relations at international tournaments with England Women, served as FIFA’s first Head of Social Media, and overseen multilingual digital content across more than 50 international tournaments.

    Alex has worked at nine FIFA World Cups (men’s and women’s), two Olympic Games, collaborated with the WHO and UN agencies, and developed commercial content activations with global brands including Adidas, Budweiser, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Visa.

  • Bryana Arlington

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Bryana is a creative leader with over a decade of experience in storytelling, brand, and marketing. She began her career in documentary production and now leads creative teams at mission-driven brands. She's passionate about expanding access for women in sports, championing LGBTQ+ representation, and the game's power to build confidence, community, and belonging.

  • Kieran Theivamanoharan (KT)

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Kieran Theivamanoharan is a communications professional with over 20 years of experience working in public relations and journalism. He spent 15 years working in various roles in the women’s game, including with FIFA and the English FA.

    He has traveled the globe telling the stories of the women who have shaped the game, culminating in a published book that brings the history and humanity of the Women’s World Cup to life.

    He has been an invaluable part of the relationship between Watford FC Women and Sound of GOL and is passionate about the organization’s drive for better representation of Latina women in football and greater diversity across the game as a whole.

  • Taylor Friedman

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Taylor Friedman is Senior Vice President of Production at Searchlight Pictures, where she's worked for 17 years. She has overseen films such as Chloé Zhao’s Oscar-winning film Nomadland, Taika Waititi's Oscar-winning film Jojo Rabbit and Eva Longoria's feature directorial debut Flamin' Hot. Prior to Searchlight, she worked at Paramount Vantage and Di Bonaventura Pictures after graduating from Brown University. She is also a member of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Meet Our Ambassadors

  • Jay Demerit

    ATHLETE

    Jay DeMerit is a former U.S. men's national team captain who rose from playing semi-professional football in the United States to competing in the Premier League with Watford FC. Known for his determination and leadership, he became a symbol of perseverance and an advocate for expanding opportunity and access in football.

  • Jess Fishlock

    ATHLETE

    Jess Fishlock is a Welsh football legend, captain of the Wales national team, and an MBE recipient. A respected leader in women’s football, she has championed equality throughout her career, including significant work supporting LGBTQ+ communities.

  • Brandi Chastain

    ATHLETE

    Brandi Chastain is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist who became one of the most recognizable figures in the history of women’s football. A pioneering defender and passionate advocate for women’s sports, she continues to use her platform to support the growth, visibility, and empowerment of women and girls in football.

  • Ana Ortiz

    ACTOR

    Ana Ortiz is an award-winning Puerto Rican-American actress and producer best known for her work in television and film, including Ugly Betty and Love, Victor. A powerful advocate for Latino representation, she has used her platform to elevate diverse voices and support greater visibility for women and the Latino community.

  • Justina Machado

    ACTOR

    Justina Machado is an acclaimed Puerto Rican-American actress known for her work in television, film, and theater, including her iconic role as Penelope Alvarez in One Day at a Time. A Tony Award-nominated performer for her role in Broadway’s Real Women Have Curves: The Musical, she is a powerful advocate for Latina representation and visibility in the entertainment industry

  • Roselyn Sanchez

    ACTOR

    Roselyn Sánchez is a Puerto Rican actress, singer, producer, and advocate whose career has spanned film, television, and music. A prominent Latina voice in entertainment, she has used her platform to celebrate Latino culture and support greater representation for women and the Latino community.