Najee Ashbourne
Girls Flag Football Mentor
Athletic Development · Character · Leadership
Read full bio →Our Team
Our founder, founding mentors, board, and advisory council are educators, coaches, and community leaders committed to every AOP scholar.
Meet the Founder
Founder/Executive Director
Joseph Flucus is an educator, mentor, coach, and youth advocate dedicated to preparing the next generation for success in college, careers, leadership, and life.
For nearly two decades, Joseph has served students in New York City Public Schools, where he has built a reputation for developing young people both inside and outside the classroom. Throughout his career, he has taught science, led academic initiatives, mentored students, and coached football and track & field, helping student-athletes grow as scholars, competitors, and leaders.
As Founder of Athletes of Promise Foundation (AOP Foundation), Joseph created the organization to address a challenge he witnessed repeatedly throughout his career: talented students often lacked access to the academic support, mentorship, college guidance, and financial aid knowledge needed to reach their full potential. He believes that while athletics can open doors, education, leadership, and character create lifelong opportunities.
Joseph’s vision is to ensure that every student graduates with a personalized plan for life after high school, whether that path leads to a four-year university, community college, trade school, apprenticeship, military service, entrepreneurship, or a meaningful career aligned with their passions and talents.
Under his leadership, AOP Foundation is committed to developing the whole student through four pillars: Academic Excellence, Athletic Development, Leadership & Character, and College & Career Success. The foundation partners with families, schools, mentors, and community organizations to provide opportunities that empower students to thrive academically, athletically, and personally.
Joseph believes that every young person has untapped potential. Through mentorship, education, and opportunity, he is committed to helping students discover their promise, prepare for success, and lead lives of purpose and service.
Success isn’t measured only by the games we win, it’s measured by the lives we impact. Joseph Flucus
Meet Our Founding Mentors
Girls Flag Football Mentor
Athletic Development · Character · Leadership
Read full bio →Career & College Readiness Coach
College Planning · Career Exploration · Scholarships & Financial Aid · Resume & Interview Prep · Goal Setting
Read full bio →Speed & Conditioning Trainer
Speed · Agility · Strength & Conditioning · Injury Prevention
Football & Track & Field Mentor
Leadership · Academic Accountability · College Readiness
Career Readiness Coach
Career Exploration · Resume & Interview Prep · Professional Skills · Goal Setting
Certified Mental Health Coach
Mental Wellness · Emotional Resilience · Coping Skills
Read full bio →STEM Coach
Science · Technology · Engineering · Math
Mental Health & Student Wellness Coach
Clinical Social Work · Mental Health · Family Support
Read full bio →Founding Board
AOP is governed by a founding board of directors with skills coverage across finance/audit, legal, education, athletics, fundraising, and community, with an independent treasurer separate from the Board Chair. The board reviews our North Star outcomes dashboard quarterly.
Joseph Flucus
Founder/Executive Director
Ben Shephard
Board Member
Advisory Council
Our advisory council brings expertise in college advising, financial aid, youth protection, and employer partnerships to keep AOP's model rigorous and evidence-based.
Carlissa Prettyman
Attorney