Jeff Smith

Teen Leader Lab, we are thrilled to welcome Jeff Smith, a 2024 Silver Lake Regional Hall of Fame inductee and state champion who redefined what it means to be a student-athlete. Jeff’s journey is a masterclass in elite performance and resilience. As a standout at Boston College, he was a force to be reckoned with, leading the ACC in kick returns and earning National Freshman All-American honors. His 96-yard touchdown return against Clemson remains one of the most electric plays in BC history. A true dual-threat, Jeff also shattered a 20-year-old school record in his track debut and still holds the Boston College 100m record at 10.49 seconds.

As Jeff puts it: “Learning the skill of leadership early in my life has helped me every day. I am excited to share my skills at Teen Leader Lab.”

Leader

At Teen Leader Lab, we are proud to feature Jenn. A dedicated champion for student-athlete empowerment who has spent her career fostering growth both on and off the field.

Currently the Athletic Director at West Bridgewater High School, Jenn is an influential leader within the MIAA and a frequent speaker at the annual Girls and Women in Sports Day, where she inspires the next generation of female athletes. Her leadership approach is rooted in her own experience as an elite competitor at the University of Connecticut. As a standout for the Huskies field hockey team, Jenn competed in the NCAA tournament, won a Big East Championship, and was honored as an NCAA First Team Regional All-American.

Jenn’s mission is to create environments where young athletes can thrive as individuals and leaders. As she explains: “I strive to create an environment where every student feels empowered to succeed in sports and in life.”

Jennifer Hammel

Leader

Jake Beers

Leader

Jake joins Teen Leader Lab with a proven track record of athletic excellence and personal resilience. After a standout high school career at Duxbury, Jake became a Northeast 1st Team All-Conference selection at Assumption College. Now a dedicated Sports Performance Coach for both boys and girls, he draws on his own journey to mentor others. “Leadership has taught me how to handle adversity and challenges every day,” Jake says. “I’ve overcome many obstacles on and off the field, and I am excited to help our athletes do the same.”

Ed Martin

Leader

Dr. Martin joins Teen Leader Lab with a lifetime of experience bridging the gap between athletics and academic excellence. A former three-sport standout at Silver Lake High School in baseball, football, and hockey, Ed went on to earn degrees from Merrimack College and the University of Pittsburgh. Having recently completed his Doctorate in Educational Leadership, he is dedicated to empowering the next generation. “I want to challenge student-athletes to take ownership of their personal growth both on and off the field,” Ed says, emphasizing his commitment to developing well-rounded leaders.

Marlene Lopes

With over 30 years in education and 19 years of coaching experience, Marlene joins Teen Leader Lab with a lifelong dedication to developing student-athletes both on and off the field. As a veteran Wellness educator and coach, she emphasizes the critical importance of mindset, resilience, and self-belief.

Marlene’s mission is to challenge students to push beyond their perceived limits and achieve what they once thought was impossible. She is passionate about instilling a strong work ethic, discipline, and sportsmanship, helping young people grow into the confident, well-rounded leaders of tomorrow.

Leader

Jenn is the Athletic Director at West Bridgewater HS. She is a member of the MIAA and speaker at girls and women sports day. Prior to getting into Education, Jen played field hockey at UConn where she was named an All-American.

“ I am deeply committed to developing the whole student-athlete. I stive to create an environment where every student feels empowered to succeed in in sports and life.”

Jack McKim

Leader

A former Duxbury High School football captain and Super Bowl starter, Jack McKim is a powerful example of how athletic discipline builds real-world leadership. After playing collegiate lacrosse at Northeastern University, Jack recently leveled up his expertise by completing his MBA.

Jack’s drive extends far beyond the field; last year, he tackled the Boston Marathon, raising over $10,000 for charity. He credits his success to the "soft skills" that yield hard results, noting: "Lessons in leadership and empathy have hands down been the greatest advantage to me." Whether in the boardroom or on the turf, Jack embodies the confidence and grit we champion at Teen Leader Lab.

Anna Battista

We are thrilled to welcome Anna to the Teen Leader Lab staff! A former dual-sport Captain at Silver Lake High School and collegiate Field Hockey player at Endicott College, Anna knows exactly what it takes to lead under pressure.

Beyond the field, she is a dedicated educator who recently earned her Master’s degree as a Reading Specialist. Anna is passionate about bridging the gap between the locker room and the classroom, using her unique background to help teens develop the discipline and communication skills necessary to lead.

"Education and athletics have both shaped the leader I am today, and I can’t wait to share those lessons with this community!"

Leader