Women's Coaching Collective

Cindy is currently the President of the United States Soccer Federation. Cindy also works as the Director of International Outreach for Goals for Girls, a non-profit organization that connects girls from different backgrounds with their peers around the world to address social and health challenges through soccer. 

Previously, Cindy was a 9-year member of the United States Women’s National Soccer Team, winning 2 Olympic Gold medals (’96, ’04), an Olympic silver medal (’00), and a Women’s World Cup Championship (’99). She has coached at the collegiate level, winning 4 national championships in 7 years (’06, ’08, ’09, ’12).

At the professional level, Cindy is the youngest coach (man or woman) to ever win an American professional sports championship (in any sport) as the Portland Thorns head coach in 2013.

Katharine is a local product of NCFC Youth (’02 alum). She is a graduate of Broughton High School, Furman University (B.S., Psychology), and NC State (M.S., Sport Management). 

Her playing career is highlighted by a #1 national ranking in high school and 4A State Championship, NCYSA State Cup Championships, USYS Southern Regional Championship, Southern Conference Championships and All-Conference Team selections, and two appearances in the NCAA women’s post-season tournament.

In her current role as Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at NCFC Youth, she manages and oversees sponsorships, community partnerships, and marketing. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance and Women in Sports & Events Greater Raleigh Chapter, and she spends her free time chasing two toddlers, Kelley (3) and William (1).

Originally from Nottinghamshire, England, Emma grew up playing for Doncaster Belles in the FA Women’s Premier league and had the opportunity to represent England at the youth levels. 

In 2008, she came to the US to attend Penn State University and enjoyed a 4-year playing career that included four NCAA Tournament appearances and four Big Ten Championships. After graduation, and a short playing stint back in England, she returned to the US to continue her soccer journey in coaching, which has since included 6 years as an assistant at the collegiate level (George Mason) and 10 years at various clubs. 

In 2020, she joined NCFC Youth as a full-time coach and shortly thereafter joined the NC Courage as an assistant coach.  She is currently a member of the inaugural SheChampions Mentorship Program, an initiative by U.S Soccer to identify, develop and retain A license female coaches.  The program aims to empower women in coaching across the country as well as inspire the next generation of female players and coaches through representation in the sport. 

Taylor considers NCFC Youth home as she played for the club (then CASL) from age nine to eighteen. After a successful youth campaign through state championships won at CASL and Broughton High School as well as selection for North Carolina's Region III team, she went on to play collegiate soccer for the University of South Florida and Campbell University (B.S., Health and Physical Education). 

After playing collegiately, she played semi-professionally for DC United Women in the W-league. To close out her playing career, she played professionally for Nice Futis in Naisten Liiga (Finland Division 1). 

Her passion for the game led her to pursue a full time career in coaching. She has coached at the classic level since 2014 and was a NCFC Youth full time staff member from 2014 to 2021 where she served as a challenge administrator, U11-U12 girls north/south classic director, and GDA apprentice coach. 

She continues to coach for the club and finds JOY in teaching young women the importance of building life's most precious skills through the game of soccer. She spends her time away from the field with her family: husband Brady, daughter Raymie, and son, Oaks.

Megan joined NCFC Youth Staff in the summer of 2018. She started playing recreation soccer and continued through her high school career and played collegiate soccer at Lewis University (IL). 

Throughout her playing career, she had many influential coaches that encouraged her to start her coaching career. After completing college with an undergraduate degree in Sport Management and minor in Coaching, she naturally started coaching full-time within clubs in the midwest. 

After being on the board and a director of programs at three clubs in the midwest, Megan chose to make the move to NCFC Youth in 2018 to be closer to family in the area. Throughout her career, Megan has earned her USSF B License and USSF Grassroots Instructor License. 

Megan enjoys focusing on coaching while building a successful career in real estate. In her spare time she instructs USSF Grassroots Courses through NCYSA and spends time at the beach with her family.

Jamie grew up in Florence, Italy and moved to the US at the age of 10. NCFC Youth (then CASL) provided Jamie with her first organized soccer opportunity, and it was the first time she played with girls. Since then, the game has been a large part of her life. 

She continued playing soccer through high school and college (UNC Greensboro) and immediately upon graduating began a career in college coaching at various Division I universities (UNC Greensboro, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Central Florida, and Campbell University) and was fortunate enough to work with some incredible women that mentored her along the way. 

At NCFC Youth, Jamie serves as the Challenge Director. She is excited to be a small part of a young players journey, whether on the field or behind the scenes.

Gary Buete is the Chief Executive Officer of NCFC Youth. He also serves as the Chairperson of US Club soccer and has served on the US Club Board of Directors for 6 years. Additionally, Gary has been named to the business North Carolina inaugural power list 2021 and influential North Carolina Sports Execs 2019. 

Before coming to NCFC Youth in 2014, Gary served as the Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Soccer Club in Louisiana (2000 – 2014). He helped lead the club to unprecedented growth, and he was instrumental in bringing the 2010 and 2014 USYS Region III tournament to Baton Rouge. During the latter part of his tenure in Baton Rouge, Gary spearheaded the creation of US Club Soccer’s Gulf States Premier League, where he served as the league’s first Commissioner (2011-2014). He spent the early part of his career in Alabama as the Executive Director of Capital City Streaks (1998-2001). 

In addition to his club director roles, Gary has held various positions within soccer programs at all levels including state and region III ODP, college (volunteer assistant with LSU), high school, club and PDL (Baton Rouge Capitals). 

After playing and graduating from Lander University in South Carolina, Gary earned his Master’s degree in Sport Management from East Tennessee State University. He holds a USSF “A” License and National Youth License.

Paul is the Director of Soccer for NFC Youth. Prior to taking on this role, which oversees all soccer programs in the club, Paul served as the Youth Director and Director of Classic. He came to NCFC Youth by way of Winston Salem, where he was the Director of Soccer for the Twin City Soccer Association. 

His experience in coaching extends into the college game, where he had multiple stints as an Assistant Coach including at Wake Forest University, NC Wesleyan College (where he also was the head golf coach and taught pickleball), UNC Wilmington, and the University of Buffalo. 

Paul played soccer in college at UNC Wilmington (1994-1997). He has his USSF A License, and when not on the fields, he's spending time with his wife Yexenia, and daughters, Amelia and Eva.

Nicole joined NCFC Youth in May 2022 as the Director of Camps and College Combines and jumped right into leading summer camps, helping a record number of campers enjoy their experience. She has coached competitive sports for over 16 years as a head coach, DOC, and various support roles. In addition to her work with camps and combines, Nicole currently coaches two older girls teams in our Classic program.

She brings a love of teaching and a consulting background to our organization, with over 15 years of experience successfully managing organizational operations, leadership development, and strategic planning processes in Government/Military, Healthcare, Hospitality, and Athletics. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at Grand Canyon University and is also the Co-Founder of an athletic performance consulting company, Mind Champs. She earned her BA in Communication and an MBA and Master of Science in Leadership.

As new residents of North Carolina, you can find Nicole spending time with her husband, Blake, and their son, Asher exploring the area and learning about what NC has to offer.

Hannah joined NCFC Youth in the summer of 2021 as a staff coach, while working as a Development Associate for U.S. Soccer.  Hannah has recently taken the role as our Classic Girls DCH Director, after serving as a Recreation Administrator with NCFC Youth. Additionally, Hannah coaches two teams in our U11-U12 girls Classic program.

She grew up playing for NC Fusion ECNL, against NCFC (CASL, at the time) and continued playing at Western Carolina University. Hannah is passionate about inspiring the next generation of female players and coaches, serving as a coach and mentor to help young girls develop confidence on and off the field, & making the player experience fun and impactful.

Hannah holds a Masters of Counselor Education with an emphasis in Athletic Leadership from Clemson University. In her time at Clemson, she also worked with the CU Paralympic Soccer Program.