Governance

A graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business School, Cusack served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Transamerica Life Companies. Prior to joining Transamerica, Cusack was Manager of Business Development and Strategy for the General Electric Company and was a consultant with McKinsey and Company. Philanthropically, Cusack is a former director and Board Chair of Direct Relief, a humanitarian relief agency, and former Chair of the Board of Overseers of the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. He is currently a Director of Cottage Health, a nonprofit hospital system in Santa Barbara. Tom started his rugby career during his college days at the University of Pennsylvania where he played from 1973-77. He later played for the Harvard Business School Club from 1979-81 and for the Bay Area Touring Side in San Francisco from 1981-87. Current term ends May 10, 2023

Folayan first found rugby as a junior at Stanford University, winning two national titles in 2005 and 2006. Later debuting with the Women’s Eagles in 2009, she was selected to the 2010 Rugby World Cup roster in England, where the USA finished in 5th place. Venturing to sevens and debuting in 2012, Folayan won bronze at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens and was named to the Team USA roster for the 2016 Rio Olympics. During her sevens career, Victoria would become the first American to be listed on a World Rugby Sevens Series Dream Team and sits 5th all-time in career tries scored for the USA Women’s Sevens. Folayan is currently an Actuarial Analyst for Kaiser Permanente in the Seattle area. Athlete Advisory Council Representative Alternate - Current term ends December 31 following the Summer Olympic Games or as defined by the USOPC Bylaws (International Athlete Council TOR)

Currently the most-capped Women’s Eagle with 51 appearances, Jamie Burke is one of 12 USA Eagles and only Women’s Eagle to surpass the 50-cap mark. An All-World Team selection during the 2010 Rugby World Cup, Burke is now the Director of Youth Rugby for the City of Glendale and Assistant Coach with the USA Women’s Eagles XVs. Spending her time focused on the pathway of young rugby hopefuls, Burke also sits on the USA Rugby International Athlete Council. Current term ends May 10, 2023

Denis Shanagher joined the Men’s Eagles XV’s against New Zealand in 1980 and remained through the Wales Tour in 1987, including the Australia and Japan tours; and 1987 World Cup. He was also on the first Men’s Eagles Sevens team to Hong Kong in 1981 and remained on the team through 1986. His father, Denis Shanagher Sr., was an original board member of USA Rugby. Denis continues to provide support in rugby through philanthropy, currently a Board member with the US Rugby Foundation. Shanagher also contributes to the Shanagher-Morrison Referee Fund as a trustee, which provides annual scholarships to USA Rugby referees for international training opportunities. He is a partner with Duane Morris LLP, an international law firm. Shanagher also sits on the USA Rugby International Athlete Council. Current term ends May 10, 2023

Capped in both sevens and fifteens with the USA Eagles, Thompson began playing rugby at the age of 14 after growing up around the game in Tempe, AZ. Having made his World Rugby Sevens Series debut in 2012, Brett advanced to the international stage through the USA Rugby development pathway, selected to the U18, U20 and U23 squads across fifteens and sevens. Thompson was named to the 2009 U20 World Rugby Trophy and later went on to represent the USA at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. Balancing sevens, he would also compete in the 2013 and 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Thompson brings a wealth of understanding for the USA Eagle journey to the AAC and USA Rugby Board. Athlete Advisory Council Representative - Current term ends December 31 following the Summer Olympic Games or as defined by the USOPC Bylaws (International Athlete Council TOR)

Koma is Vice President and Head of Curriculum at Codecademy, leading and managing a diverse, high-functioning team delivering best-in-class interactive educational content in high-demand skills and technologies to a global learning community. Koma brings over two decades of experience in multiple industries to her Board role, including leadership roles at EY and Morgan Stanley where she led teams that delivered solutions integrating cutting-edge technology, new business processes, and industry best practices. In addition to her work in financial services, Koma has extensive business-government experience gained from her time at the The Cohen Group where she advised domestic and international clients in the aerospace and defense industries, and her work in information security with Booz Allen Hamilton where she advised Department of Defense and Department of the Navy clients on matters pertaining to wireless networks, cybersecurity, and biometrics. Koma began her career as an officer in the US Navy and attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve. Koma received a BA from Harvard University and an MBA from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business.

Michael Garner is a seasoned Chief Diversity Officer with the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority developing and creating business opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses. Throughout his successful career, he has overseen economic development and job creation in the Tristate region. As President of a New York based service organization, he has built a nationwide network and led the development of secondary schools targeting disadvantaged young men and women. Additionally, he has served on a number of governance and advisory boards. Current term ends May 10, 2022

Steve Argeris connected with Rugby as a graduate student at New York University's Stern School of Business. Argeris currently is a Counsel in the Washington, D.C. and New York offices of Hogan Lovells LLP, an international law firm, whose practice covers a variety of commercial and employment issues in sports, and previously served as Vice President and General Counsel with Tepper Sports & Entertainment (owner of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise, Charlotte FC in MLS, and Bank of America Stadium, along with various real estate holdings), Argeris’ experience spans from government affairs, risk management, strategic communication, crisis management, facility development and sponsorship. He also successfully led the team’s diversity and inclusion efforts and has served on several governing boards. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in history and Afro-American and African Studies, and was a sportswriter for several newspapers, including the Washington Post, before earning a JD and MBA at NYU. Current term ends May 10, 2023

Michele joins the USA Rugby Board of Directors as the Collegiate Representative, appointed by the Collegiate National Council. Michele started playing Rugby at the University of Southern Mississippi during the fall of 2000 before moving onto coaching, referee and administrative roles across many levels of play. With a passion for the collegiate game, Michele supported the formation and development of multiple college programs including the Auburn University Women’s Rugby Team and the Troy University Men’s Rugby Team. She was also appointed first head coach to both programs. Splitting her time as a referee with the Deep South Rugby Referee Society, Michele would continue on the match official pathway as Match Commissioner for the USA Rugby National Championship Series from 2012 to 2015.In 2018, Michele joined USA Rugby Congress as the College Management Council representative and was instrumental in the National Council and governance reorganization in 2020. Continuing to give back to the grassroots, she remains on the board of directors for Rugby Alabama, developing youth and high school rugby across the state.As the largest demographic within USA Rugby membership, the Collegiate game looks to reposition its governance and competitions to better serve its student athletes. An effort Michele and the Collegiate Council look forward to focusing on during this upcoming board term is the implementation not only accountability and fiscal responsibility, but strategies to ensure the quantifiable development and growth of Rugby in this Country.Professionally, Michele is currently an Associate Attorney with Scott & Associates in Montgomery, Alabama after earning her Juris Doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law. Michele’s further experience in business and financial management similarly brings valuable counsel to the USA Rugby Board. Current term ends May 10, 2023

Currently a Principal with Ferguson and Company in Northern California, Rick Humm joins the USA Rugby board with a wealth of experience across all levels of the USA Rugby landscape. Dedicated to the development of coaching in rugby, Humm has himself coached Collegiate, Senior Club and All American sides, while also serving as the Director of Coach Development with USA Rugby and is a certified World Rugby Coach Development Trainer. Humm brings an extensive understanding for the administrative network of rugby, currently President with Northern California RFU, Rick has also served on the USA Rugby Congress and Nominations Committee before joining the Senior Club Council Executive Committee as Secretary following the 2020 USA Rugby governance restructure, a development Humm was integral in constructing. As a member of the USA Rugby Board, Humm looks to devote his time toward strengthening the Senior Club community of passionate rugby players, coaches, referees and administrators.

With a passion for rugby and over 35 years of experience as a player and coach on a local, regional and international level; Stevens looks to develop Youth Rugby to an elite level of operation in the United States. Based out of Indiana with Midwest rugby roots, Bill dedicates his time off the pitch to Brooks Construction Company as Chief Operations Officer. With an extensive history in coaching across USA Rugby Age-Grade, Senior Club and High School programs, Stevens' commitment to leading development of grassroots rugby at the foundational level has lead to a seat on the USA Rugby Board. Current term ends July 1, 2024.