Board of Directors

JEFF WELGER

Jeff Welger, son of Christa and Saul Welger, is a founding member of the Foundation. He grew up exposed to wheelchair sports from a young age and supported Saul as team ball boy, score keeper and equipment manager for the Brooklyn Whirlaways Wheelchair Basketball team for almost 2 decades. When Saul was Chairman of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Hall of Fame, Jeff supported his dad with the nomination process and attended numerous NWBA tournaments and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Jeff had the privilege to know many great pioneers in Wheelchair athletics including Tim Nugent, the “Father of Accessibility,” and Junius Kellogg, the first African American coach in the history of wheelchair basketball. When Jeff was not with his dad, he spent his free time, with his mom, training as a competitive swimmer, aspiring to Christa’s swimming legacy of 6 Olympic swimming medals. Jeff’s success culminated with his participation in the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championship in 1990.

So many people hope to meet their heroes one day. Jeff had the privilege of having his heroes for parents!

DIANA FIONDA

Diana Fionda, daughter of Christa and Saul Welger, is a founding member of the Foundation. As the oldest child of Christa & Saul, Diana spent numerous hours on the basketball court with her father. She was a cheerleader at a very young age for the Brooklyn Whirlaways, and never missed a Wednesday night practice at Brooklyn College. While not on the basketball court, Diana could be found with Christa training for swimming competition, ballet, or gymnastics. As a former Olympian, Christa was always by her side no matter what sport or interest she had. Christa & Saul both exhibited the same dedication to their 5 grandchildren.

Both Christa & Saul were true champions, in every facet of their lives. Their legacy will carry on in the many lives they touched!

DAVID BLITZ

David Blitz, Nephew of Christa & Saul Welger enthusiastically volunteered to be part of this organization. Growing up in Brooklyn, living in the same building with his Aunt & Uncle, David was very close to them. As a youngster David would travel with Christa and Saul all over the country watching Saul play wheelchair basketball for the Pan Am Jets and the Brooklyn Whirlaways, as well as his Aunt’s training events in both track & field and swimming. Travelling with them he learned a great deal about the many obstacles that they and their teammates needed to overcome in order to enjoy an active and fulfilling life, despite the physical challenges they endured. Watching the effect, they had on others with challenges like their own was awe inspiring to him. He credits them with developing his passionate love of sports both as a fan and a competitor. As a man now in his early 60’s, married to his wife Wendy for almost 33 years, and father of Sons, Michael and Jeremy, he has spent most of his life trying to spread the message of Christa and Saul, giving hope to those who face similar challenges. He feels that serving on the Board of this organization will give him and the rest of the family and friends whose lives they touched, the chance to perpetuate their legacy and help many others.

MARK LUSK

Mark Lusk is the son-in-law of Christa and Saul, and a Board Member of The Welger Foundation. Formerly a professional dancer, he currently works as a physical therapist in his own practice and specializes in treating dancers, athletes, and complex orthopedic cases. His passions lie in helping people reach their physical potential, as well as in teaching and mentoring other therapists. Inspired by Christa and Saul’s athletic and life achievements, he is excited to bring this passion for movement and empowerment to the Welger Foundation to help adaptive athletes reach their potential.

JOANN ORR-LUCERI

JoAnn Orr-Luceri has known the Welger family for over 40 years and is honored to be part of this Foundation. Having met Christa and Saul when attending games of the Brooklyn Whirlaways Wheelchair Basketball Team with Joe Luceri she has been a strong supporter of wheelchair athletes. Saul and Christa were great friends and amazing people. My admiration and awe of these individuals and their accomplishments knows no bounds.

Currently retired from NYC Human Resources Administration where she served as a program administrator.

JENNIFER SANTO

Jennifer Santo has known the Welger family for over 35 years and has first-hand knowledge of the contributions and impact Christa and Saul had on adaptive sports and all those they came in contact with.

Jennifer has been working in the real estate title insurance industry for twenty four years. She works at Regal Title Agency for the last sixteen years as a title closer and sales professional. An athlete at Occidental College, Jennifer played softball and was captain for her junior and senior years. Outside of work, Jennifer coaches her three children in various sports and appreciates the benefits that team sports offer youth including self-esteem, leadership, teamwork, respect, communications and physical activity In her free time, she enjoys running, including participating in 4 New York City marathons, and worldwide travel.

Stacey Vaughn

Stacey Vaughn has known the Welger Family for over 30 years. Stacey attended Hamilton College with Jeff Welger.

Stacey worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Associate as a Regional Coordinator before starting a financial planning company and raising her four kids. Stacey played soccer, basketball and softball and took this love of sports to the coaching level. Stacey’s major focus as a coach was instilling a love of the game with an emphasis on learning life skills, the importance of teamwork and giving back to the community. Inspired by Christa and Saul’s life achievements, Stacey is honored to be part of the Welger Foundation mission of providing support, opportunities, awareness and reduction of barriers so that young adaptive athletes can realize their dreams.

DEBBIE O'CoNNOR

Debbie served as Executive Vice President and CFO at Arch Capital Group Ltd., a Bermuda-based insurance and reinsurance company, for most of her career. At Arch, Debbie worked closely with her colleague, Jeff Welger, on several large projects. When she learned the inspirational story of his parents and the mission of the Welger Foundation, she asked, “How can I help?” Debbie looks forward to helping the Foundation continue to create opportunities for young athletes with physical disabilities to experience the benefits of sports.

In the past few years, Debbie and her husband moved from Connecticut to Long Island, NY to live near their grandchildren. She recently retired from Arch and now spends most of her free time with friends and family. She enjoys traveling to explore the world and spends time at their second home in Ireland.