Our STaff

Founder and Executive Director, Sarah Albus, is a former Division I (Vanderbilt University, 1991-1995) and National B team soccer player (1993-1994) winning All-SEC honors and two SEC championships (1993, 1994).  Sarah is  a NSCAA licensed coach and has nearly 30 years of coaching experience. Her coaching tenure began in 1993 as the assistant coach of a U-16 Travel soccer team while in college, and has since transitioned to coaching at various levels, primarily coaching youth development teams after becoming a parent. During the last nine years her coaching  has solely involved  children and young adults with special needs through ODS.

Nanci Sundel is ODS’ Development Director and has had 10 years of passionate involvement with nonprofit organizations. Professionally she was the Development Director for the Tel Aviv Foundation and previously was the Director of Development for A Wider Circle. On a volunteer basis Nanci has served in leadership functions, including as chair of Fundraising, as a member of the Board of Directors for The Service Guild of Washington, a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping children, adults and the elderly with a variety of special needs.  As a board member for Congregation Beth El she chaired their Community Service Day for 7 years.

Mary Carpenter is a lifelong competitive athlete and former Division I ice hockey player (Colgate University, 1993-1997) and has over ten years of coachingexperience. Mary has a personal understanding of the positive impact team sports

can have on childrens’ lives. She has been the head ice hockey coach at Stone Ridgesince 2017 and has lead the team to two championships and as many undefeated seasons. Mary joined the ODS team as a soccer coach in 2019 and combines her

compassion, creativity, and energy to make sports accessible and fun for all athletes.

Head Coach Brittney Thomas, former Division I basketball player and special educator, leads our young adult program expansion.  A native of New York, Brittney started with ODS in the Fall of 2023 and since then has expanded her coaching duties to include eight basketball programs in each of the three seasons of the school year, primarily for young adults but also for youth.  Coach Brittney also coaches basketball and flag football sessions during the summer months.

Head Coach Naomi O'Boyle is a proud mom of three and a dedicated teacher with a passion for helping children grow both in and out of the classroom. When Naomi was approached to coach at ODS, she felt deeply honored to have the opportunity to continue working with kids—especially those with special needs—in a fun and engaging way through a sport she loves. Coaching enables Naomi to combine her passion for teaching with enthusiasm for athletics, creating an environment where every child can learn, thrive, and enjoy the game.

Juan Velasquez and Bryan Maust have been providing fun and engaging summer sessions for ODS Players and Peer Buddies for 5 years now.  Both Juan and Bryan work at The Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda and bring charisma, energy and care to the programs they provide to our groups.  We're lucky to have them as part of the ODS community!