Board of Directors

Dan Russell

As the Global Wrestling for Peace Executive Director and Ambassador, Dan is a prominent figure in international sports diplomacy, humanitarian action, and community leadership. With a profound connection to wrestling since his youth, he achieved two World Cadet Champion titles, four consecutive State High School Championships, and four NCAA Championship trophies.

In 1995, Dan won the prestigious Poddubny Tournament in Perm, Russia, earning the title of Unofficial Champion of the World. Transitioning into coaching, Dan served as an Olympic Solidarity Instructor for eight years in Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia and was an Olympic Coach in 2004 in Athens, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics.

Representing the United States at multiple World Wrestling Championships, Dan has left an indelible mark on the global wrestling stage. Having shared his expertise in over 60 nations, he has become a key advocate for the sport, utilizing wrestling as a powerful tool to foster cultural understanding and bridge gaps between communities.

Now based in Amman, Jordan with his wife, Joy, Dan continues to leverage his multifaceted career to spearhead global initiatives, contributing to the promotion of peace through the universal language of wrestling.

Taft Blackburn

Taft is the Wrestling for Peace Deputy Executive Director of US Operations and currently works as a research analyst in the Washington, DC area.  Prior to this position, he served for 30 years as a military officer working in Europe and the United States.

Taft was a Division I NCAA athlete and letterman. While competing in all six events as an all-around gymnast, his best events were rings and vault.  He has a Master’s degree from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy. 

Taft has received two Defense Distinguished Service Medals and the Legion of Merit for his service as a military attaché and for leading major military staff policy divisions.

Taft heads up the Wrestling for Peace Global Campaign, a yearly initiative engaging the world wrestling community in humanitarian action. Partnered with USA Wrestling, United World Wrestling and global wrestling federations, the W4P Global Campaign mobilizes age-group world teams at the U17, U20, U23 and Master’s levels to serve together, inviting them to strive not just for gold medals, but for acts of kindness and mutual respect. 

Married with one daughter, Taft enjoys history, learning Languages, golf, and skiing.

Kristi Mann

Kristi Mann is the Arkansas state chair for USA Wrestling, one of the only women in the country to lead a state chapter for the organization. She is one of a handful of individuals responsible for the rise of all levels of wrestling in the Natural State. Mann was recognized as the 2024 USA Wrestling State Chairperson of the Year by the national executive board, and serves on their finance committee. Kristi has represented Arkansas and women in leadership on a global stage. She was one of 10 women selected by the Department of State to represent the USA on a sport for social change exchange to Azerbaijan to help bring awareness of women in leadership positions in sports. Chosen as the spokesperson, she presented to the Olympic committee of Azerbaijan and the World Wrestling Federation. Kristi exemplifies the power of women and remains an example of leadership for men, women and children. Serving as a volunteer for over 20 years, her expertise lies in her leadership and advocacy for young people of all ages on and off the mat. In December 2024, she was named one of Arkansas’s Power Women by Arkansas Money and Politics Magazine and was inducted into the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame Arkansas Chapter with a Pioneer Award in 2015.

Joe Russell

Currently the Manager of Men's Freestyle Programs for USA Wrestling in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Joe assumed the role in June 2017 and has since steered the program to remarkable success. Under his leadership, the team secured three World Championship Team titles in 2017, 2022, and 2023, showcasing Russell's strategic prowess and dedication to excellence.

At the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, the team achieved a stellar performance, earning five medals, including two individual Olympic Champions. In October 2023, Russell was named head coach for the USA U23 World Team, contributing to the country's historic victory in securing its first-ever U23 World Team Championship.

Before joining USA Wrestling, Joe Russell dedicated the majority of his professional career to college wrestling coaching. From 1996 to 2011, he served as the Assistant Wrestling Coach at the University of Minnesota, and from 2011 to 2017, he held the position of Head Wrestling Coach at George Mason University.

During his tenure at Minnesota, Russell played a pivotal role in guiding the Golden Gophers to three NCAA Team Championships in 2001, 2002, and 2007, solidifying his reputation as an accomplished and respected coach.

Russell is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, having earned his B.A. in 1992, J.D. in 1995, and M.Ed in 2006, further showcasing his commitment to education and comprehensive development.


Austin Landes

Austin is the Wrestling for Peace Director of Humanitarian Strategy and Impact. His humanitarian efforts began after a 2010 trip to Haiti started a deep and drastic change in the direction of his life, transitioning from a lifetime in plumbing and mechanical work to networking, hands-on projects, and consulting with nonprofits and NGOs. Austin has had the honor of traveling to places around the world, collaborating with governments, Ministries of Health, top leaders, corporations, celebrities and athletes to make a global impact. This has been achieved mostly through health initiatives and infrastructure projects. Through these projects and programs, millions of lives have been impacted.

Austin and his wife, Julie, are also the founders of Outsiders Kitchen, a snack manufacturing company based in New York. Outsiders produces small batch flavored gourmet pretzel bites that are sold nationwide. Austin and his family currently reside on the east coast and love to spend time with their two teenage daughters.

Advisors

  • Mohammed Al-Awamleh

    PRESIDENT - Jordan Wrestling Federation

  • Saleh Alzriqat

    GOODWILL AMBASSADOR - Jordan

  • Bruce Baumgartner

    PRESIDENT - USA Wrestling

  • Rich Bender

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - USA Wrestling

  • Bryan Bollman

    PARTNER - GuidePoint Security

  • Jack Clark

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - US Wrestling Foundation

  • Steve Fraser

    OLYMPIC CHAMPION, FOUNDER - USA Wrestling For Peace Initiative

  • Afsoon Johnston

    BOARD MEMBER - Titan Mercury Wrestling

  • Christina "Kiki" Kelley

    FIRST GLOBAL W4P AMBASSADOR - USA Men’s Team Leader to Iran

  • Sally Roberts

    CEO - Wrestle Like a Girl

  • Lorraine Rorabaugh

    Lorraine Rorabaugh

    USA WRESTLING - Donor & Alumni Relations

  • Jonny Ruggiano

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Titan Mercury Wrestling Club

  • Larry Steckman

    Larry Steckman

    OWNER - FOI Laboratories

  • Hooman Tavakolian

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Hoomanities

  • Amy Zirneklis

    COO - Wrestle Like a Girl