Meet Our Team

Scattered across the country but united by purpose, the Empowher Pickleball team is a vibrant force of women who embody strength,

authenticity, and fierce determination—on and off the court.

We’re more than athletes. We’re leaders, motivators, and trailblazers who bring passion to every rally and purpose to every play.

Each team member reflects the heart of Empowher: confident, driven, and unapologetically herself.

Together, we’re building a community where women rise, connect, and thrive—one serve at a time.

Meet Our Team

Scattered across the country but united by purpose, the Empowher Pickleball team is a vibrant force of women who embody strength, authenticity, and fierce determination—on and off the court.

We’re more than athletes. We’re leaders, motivators, and trailblazers who bring passion to every rally and purpose to every play. Each team member reflects the heart of Empowher: confident, driven, and unapologetically herself.

Together, we’re building a community where women rise, connect, and thrive—one serve at a time.

KaSandra Gehrke

St. Louis, MO

Founder & CEO of Empowher Pickleball

Julie Johnson

Kansas City, MO

Lead Coach

Casey Parnell

Kansas City, MO

Lead Coach

Leslie White

Ann Arbor, MI

Coach

Suzanne Chuparkoff

Ann Arbor, MI

Coach & Logistics Lead

Anita Epperly

Ann Arbor, MI

Coach

Laura Ouelette

Ann Arbor, MI

Coach

Faye Whitenack

Salem, OR

Coach

Casey Fall

Port Angeles, WA

Coach

Dottie Davis

Ann Arbor, MI

Coach

Our Admin Staff

Kristen Dobson

Fredericksburg, VA

Chief Operations Officer &

Penny Ballenger

Springfield, MO

Executive Admin and Retreat Extraordinaire

Michelle Miller

Indianapolis, IN

Camps Lead & Coach

Annie Hill

Indianapolis, IN

Social Media Manager

Wendy Mattie

Madison, WI

Fun Coordinator and Team Mom

Loran Gillespie

Roanoke, VA

IT and Onboarding Specialist

Have Questions?

For general questions

For questions regarding retreats

For questions regarding camps

©2025 BY KASANDRA GEHRKE