Board of Directors

Dave Hahn, Chair
Recruiter, Two Sigma Investments
Dave played soccer throughout his childhood in New Jersey and is dismayed at how soccer has become a pay-to-play sport in most communities. As a result, he is passionate about bringing the beautiful game to the South Bronx. Dave received a degree in philosophy from Columbia University and now works at Two Sigma Investments after serving as a senior recruiter for Grady Levkov and Co. He also DJs on the local music scene and is an avid guitarist and manager of the band Dub is a Weapon. Dave has been on the board since 2009.

R. Derek McKechnie, Secretary
Managing Partner, Lucas Group
Derek began volunteering with South Bronx United in 2010 and has helped coach a wide variety of age groups. He is an a managing partner for a recruiting firm specializing in financial services space. He attended Connecticut College where he graduated in 2008 with a focus on Government, Theater, and Economics. Derek moved to NYC a week after graduation and hasn’t looked back since. He is an avid Tottenham Hotspur fan and season ticket holder for the New York Red Bulls. When he isn't on the soccer pitch, he can be found cheering on his favorite sports teams and spending time with his friends. Derek has also served on the SBU Junior Board.

Brian Samuels, Treasurer
M.B.A, Duke Business School
Continuing his lifelong association with the game of soccer, Brian has been involved in mentoring and coaching youth for several years. A native of the New York metropolitan area, Brian has elated to be able to utilize his educational and professional experience in business and finance to serve as the organization's treasurer. He formerly coached the SBU 97 Strikers for two years as well as ran goalkeeper trainings. He has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and New York Cares. Brian received his Bachelor's degree in business and communications from Goucher College, where he was also a member of the varsity lacrosse team, and is pursuing an MBA from Duke Business School. Brian joined the board in 2010.

John Assadi
Partner, Assadi & Millstein, LLP
John Assadi is an attorney who specializes in the representation of foreign employees of multi-national corporations, international entertainers, scientists, and professional athletes. His clients have included The Soros Foundations, The U.S. Soccer Federation, Columbia Artists Management, Inc., various Olympians, professional soccer players in the EPL, Bundesliga and La Liga and world champion athletes, and the Rainforest Foundation. He is also a founder and director of InterFysio, LLC, a healthcare staffing company that employs physical therapists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. He has held a lifetime passion for soccer and has served on the board since 2009.

Stephen J. Burnstin
Associate, Wilson Elser, LLP
Stephen brings to South Bronx United a life-long passion for soccer, combined with a dedication to serving his community. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Steve most recently ran, organized and expanded the recreational soccer program. Steve has over 30 years of playing experience and has been a coach for more than 20 years. He currently holds multiple coaching accreditations from NSCCA. Steve received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington and earned his Juris Doctorate at the Cardozo School of Law in New York City where he currently practices law. Stephen has served on the board since 2009.

Cathy Casey
President, i.e. Design Events, Inc.
As president of i.e. Design Events, a special events and production design company based in New York, Cathy’s specialty is in planning black-tie gala fundraisers for non-profit clients. Cathy's volunteer experience ranges from serving as a homework helper and mentor for the International Rescue Committee's Refugee Youth program to a tutor for the Brooklyn Public Library. She has been involved with South Bronx United since early summer 2009. She joined the board in 2010 and served as Board Chair from 2010-2012. She is passionate about its mission to make a difference in the lives of the youth of South Bronx.

Juan Cervantes
President, Learning Disabilities Center for New York
Juan played soccer back in Mexico where he was known to be one of the best players in his city. He founded the Learning Disabilities Support Center of New York to address the needs of youth and adults with disabilities and has volunteered at an A.A. and D.A. nonprofit organization that assists the youth with alcoholism and drug abuse problems in the city. He has also worked for the U.S. Postal Service. As a former South Bronx United parent, he is especially excited to be able to help so many Bronx children practice his beloved sport. Juan has served on the board since 2010.

Lucas Nathan
Vice President, Town Real Estate
Lucas is a real estate broker who specializes in high end residential homes in Manhattan. After attending Northfield Mount Hermon School, he went to Skidmore College where he captained the soccer team, while earning a degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, Lucas moved to Manhattan to pursue his real estate career. He later received a Master’s Degree in Real Estate Finance and Development from New York University. Lucas has been a soccer fan his entire life and has been coaching the SBU U6 and U8 rec teams for the past two years. He also captains a men’s league team. Lucas joined the board in 2011.

Andrew So
Executive Director, South Bronx United, Inc.
Andrew co-founded South Bronx United in 2009 and has served as Executive Director and board member since. South Bronx United merges his passions for soccer, education, and community development. He has taught mathematics and special education at New Day Academy, a public secondary school in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx. He has worked with Bronx youth in the various other capacities from counselor to advisor to coach. Andrew holds a USSF “D” coaching license, has coached kids of various ages and levels and head coaches the SBU 95 boys and 97 boys teams. Andrew received his Bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and earned a Masters of Science in Education from the Bank Street College of Education in New York.

Steph So
Head of International Branding, ShopBop.com
Steph co-founded South Bronx United in 2009, drawing on her passion for education and community development causes both domestic and worldwide. She has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat New Orleans and Amigos de las Americas and has also supported a Mother's Wish in the Dominican Republic. Steph formerly worked consultant at Bain and Company and was the Director of Strategy and New Business Development at The Estée Lauder Companies before becoming an Executive Director of Global Skincare Marketing at Estée Lauder. She recently became the Head of International Branding for ShopBop.com, a leading online apparel and accessory retailer. Steph received her Bachelor's degree from Stanford University and earned a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. She also serves as a Board Member for the Manhattan Country School.

Italo Zanzi
C.E.O., AS Roma
Italo, born in New York, is a sports marketing executive and attorney who most recently served as Deputy General Secretary of CONCACAF (The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) and as Executive Vice President of the organization’s commercial arm, CONCACAF Marketing & TV. Until 2007, Italo served as Vice President, International Broadcast Sales & Latin American / US Hispanic Marketing for Major League Baseball. Italo has also been a candidate for the United States House of Representatives in New York's 1st Congressional District (Eastern Suffolk County) and represented the United States as a goalkeeper for the US National Team Handball team where he was named the United States Olympic Committee’s Team Handball Athlete of the Year in 2000, 2002 and 2004. Before being introduced to team handball in 1996, Italo was a life-long soccer goalkeeper. He played for the University of Chicago and also spent a pre-season with the Chilean professional club Deportivo Lo Barnechea. In 2005, he was honored with El Diaro’s “EL Award” which is awarded to top Hispanics in business, politics, and entertainment. Italo earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago, and Juris Doctor and MBA from Emory University. He joined the South Bronx United Board of Directors in 2012 and is excited to bring his expertise to support organization’s mission and its youth.