GinaMarie has dedicated her life to working with non-profit youth organizations; remembering the positive influences these organizations had in her life while growing up in the inner-city of Boston.

While working for Federal Expressand attending college, GinaMarie’s non-profit career started as a volunteer for numerous Phoenix based youth organizations, which included the A.C. Green Foundation, founded by L.A. Laker A.C. Green. Predicated on her dedication and hard work as a volunteer, she was eventually hired as the Assistant Program Coordinator, ultimately working her way up as the Foundation’s Executive Director.

After almost 9 years with the A.C. Green Foundation, GinaMarie would embark on a new opportunity and passion by co-founding the NABI (Native American Basketball Invitational) Foundation in 2002, alongside Mark West, Vice President of Player Programs of the Phoenix Suns; and the late Scott Podleski of the Arizona Rattlers. The mission of NABI is to use basketball as a tool to create college scholarship opportunities for Native American High School athletes through the implementation of programs that serve Native American youth.

In 2007, GinaMarie was directly responsible for encouraging the NCAA to change the NCAA legislation and governing rules to allow Native American athletes the opportunity to compete in NCAA certified tournaments as sovereign nations. Accordingly, this led to the exemption of tribal tournaments adhering to the NCAA same state rule – opening the door for many talented Native-athletes to be scouted by Division 1 & 2 colleges – setting historical precedence by becoming the first all Native American tournament certified by the NCAA. By 2010, Gina would fulfill her passion of establishing the NABI Foundation as a not-for-profit Organization.

As President & CEO of the NABI Foundation, Gina is directly responsible for donor & sponsorship development, partnership and board development, and working with the COO to ensure the NABI Foundation’s mission and goals are the Foundation’s main priority.

In addition to her work with NABI, Gina served as a board member on the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs for 5 years.  During this time, she developed and established the Chasing the Suns 5K & Pow Wowand the Phoenix 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.

In 2015, GinaMarie discovered through a DNA test she is 21% Native American (maternal), bringing her connection, passion and love for Native Country – the youth and communities she is dedicated to serving – full circle.

GinaMarie currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband Ralph Marchetta, two sons Vincent and Alexander, and grandson Antonio.

Angelo Johnson was hired in March of 2010 as the Foundation’s intern and slowly worked his way up to Director of Programs. Prior to being hired, Angelo has been volunteering with the NABI Foundation since 2008. While at NABI, Angelo has been directly involved in the Basketball Tournament, Chasing The Sun Pow-Wow & 10K/5K Run, Baseball/Softball Tournament, Youth Physical Education Program (YPEP), and the PHX 3on3 Tournament.

Angelo has worked for numerous organizations, including the Heard Museum, the Arizona State Fair in Sponsorship, and most recently, Indian Youth of America (IYA) as a Counselor/Recreation Coordinator. Angelo brings with him over 10 years of event coordination experience to help further the NABI Foundation’s mission.

Angelo is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, as well as the San Carlos Apache and Hopi Tribe.

Lynette’s inception with the NABI Foundation began in the Summer of 2011 as a volunteer. Since then, she has devoted her attention and time to the Foundation. Now, as a Program Coordinator and Administrative Assistant, she continues to support the organization’s efforts of sustainability and growth.

Lynette is Navajo and grew up in the border town of Farmington, NM. She graduated from Piedra Vista High School and continued her education at Arizona State University where she would earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

With a background in basketball and other sports, Lynette has developed a love for the organization and values the commitment it provides for Native youth. Lynette’s goal is to continue to be an advocate of the NABI Foundation by upholding the Foundation’s mission of serving native youth on and off the court.