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Rova Sports Academy | High Performance Sports Academy

  • Leadership

President and Founder

Rose is the Founder of Rova Sports Academy, a high-performance Sports Academy in Kenya. Her passion for sports has seen her start Rova Sports academy in 2019. She also serves in several advocacy roles including sports-for-all-commission under the national Olympic committee – Kenya, KEPSA Sports, Art & Culture Sector board, Tennis Kenya Federation, Adhoc government working committees.


Rose has and continues to volunteer her time, skills and knowledge to a number of organizations amongst them the Commonwealth Women Business Network (CBWN) where as a CTO, she is working to reduce the digital gender gap and driving digital gender equity as a “digital inclusion activist”.

Board of Advisors

Mary Gale

Ms. Gale is an educator, entrepreneur, business leader, and consultant with over 30 years of strategic, marketing, and operations experience across a broad range of industries including software-based services, diagnostics, telecommunications, surface preparation, consumer electronics, consumer packaged goods and education.

She has taught in the Babson college Entrepreneurship Division since Fall 2011.

Ms. Gale has been involved in eight start-ups as an investor, director, and/or senior executive. Most recently, she served as CEO of a start-up software services business, Pet Health Network, Inc. She was also a senior marketing executive at IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. during a period of early growth through IPO. She began her career in product management at General Foods. Her consulting experience includes Booz, Allen; Marketing Corporation of America (boutique consulting firm in Westport, Connecticut); and her own assignments.

She currently serves on the boards of Sponge-Jet, Inc., Portsmouth, NH (advanced, recyclable, industrial surface preparation technology); and Gould Academy, Bethel, Maine

Benda Kithaka

Benda Kithaka is a Health Advocacy & Behaviour Change Communications Specialist, with over 20 years’ experience in communications, research, and health advocacy.  Founder of KILELE Health Association, a non-profit organization, registered in Kenya. Benda previously served on the Board of Women4Cancer for nine years, a Kenyan NGO she co-founded in 2012, whose Vision is a Cervical Cancer Free Kenya.  Benda sits on various global, regional and local Technical Working Groups in an advocacy and advisory role. She co-chairs the AORTIC Advocacy Special Interest Group regionally in Africa, and in Kenya is Co-Chair of the STOP Cervical Cancer technical working group. She is also a Trainer, Facilitator and Public Speaker in advocacy for Women’s Health. 

Benda has received various awards including the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) Distinguished Advocacy Award 2019, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) award to participate as the civil society voice in the Regional Consultation on the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in the African Region (May 2019).

Rose Maghas - ROVA Founder and CEO  

A passionate advocate for empowering athletes to reach their full potential. With firsthand experience as a sports parent, Rose understands the challenges and triumphs that come with nurturing young athletes. Her dedication to their success goes beyond physical performance, focusing on holistic development, mentorship, and instilling a growth mindset helping athletes excel both on and off the field, fostering an environment where they can thrive and achieve greatness.

Okango Arnold

I’m a Digital Strategist with a deep passion for technology, a love for reading, and a commitment to mentorship.

I’m driven by the belief that digital innovation can unlock growth and transformation for businesses. At my core, I aim to be both a thoughtful leader and a supportive ally—someone who not only strategises but also inspires.

My mission is to work relentlessly at the intersection of business and digital strategy, helping organizations thrive while also empowering individuals to realize their full potential and define their own success.

Sean Lane - SPIRE Soccer Director  

A former English striker/midfielder for Derby County and Hereford United in the UK, and later in Australia. He is a forward-thinking, professional coach with a proven track record of developing young players and winning championships in Australia and a Head Coach in professional leagues in Asia. Sean believes in developing strong, well-adjusted and capable individuals and more resilient people.

Thad Schultz - SPIRE Swimming Director

A standout swimmer at West Virginia, Schultz’s vast knowledge base spans the club, NCAA and national team array. A 25-year coaching veteran, Schultz spent time coaching on the college scene at Clemson and Ohio State before joining Penn State in 2009. Coach Thad has worked with over 20 Olympic swimmers, 18 NCAA All-Americans and dozens of state and sectional champions.

Kerron Stewart - SPIRE Head Coach of Sprints

A world-class sprinter from Jamaica, has silver and bronze medals at the 2008 Olympics and 2012 London Games. A seven-time All-American at Auburn University, she ran a 10.8 in the 100m and 21.99 in the 200m at the 2008 Jamaican Olympic Trials. Kerron’s career includes five Golden League victories, multiple World Athletics Finals medals, and a Pan-Am Games silver medal, solidifying her legacy as a track and field powerhouse.

Jeff Gonzalez - SPIRE Basketball Director  

As Post Grad Assistant Coach (2020 – 2023) he helped build two top 15 National prep teams. The teams attended the National Prep Championships in 2022 and 2023.

Some notable alumni of Spire Academy's basketball program include Lamelo Ball and Robert Bobrocyzki. 

Claudia Nyagah   

A passionate project manager committed to turning ideas into impact. With a strong focus on teamwork, clear communication, and results, they guide projects from start to finish with purpose and precision. Their approach goes beyond meeting deadlines—it's about building trust, solving problems, and creating an environment where everyone can do their best work. Driven by a love for progress and people, they help teams stay aligned, motivated, and ready to succeed.

President and Founder
Board of Advisors
Technical Advisory Council
President and Founder

Rose is the Founder of Rova Sports Academy, a high-performance Sports Academy in Kenya. Her passion for sports has seen her start Rova Sports academy in 2019. She also serves in several advocacy roles including sports-for-all-commission under the national Olympic committee – Kenya, KEPSA Sports, Art & Culture Sector board, Tennis Kenya Federation, Adhoc government working committees.


Rose has and continues to volunteer her time, skills and knowledge to a number of organizations amongst them the Commonwealth Women Business Network (CBWN) where as a CTO, she is working to reduce the digital gender gap and driving digital gender equity as a “digital inclusion activist”.

Board of Advisors

Mary Gale

Ms. Gale is an educator, entrepreneur, business leader, and consultant with over 30 years of strategic, marketing, and operations experience across a broad range of industries including software-based services, diagnostics, telecommunications, surface preparation, consumer electronics, consumer packaged goods and education.

She has taught in the Babson college Entrepreneurship Division since Fall 2011.

Ms. Gale has been involved in eight start-ups as an investor, director, and/or senior executive. Most recently, she served as CEO of a start-up software services business, Pet Health Network, Inc. She was also a senior marketing executive at IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. during a period of early growth through IPO. She began her career in product management at General Foods. Her consulting experience includes Booz, Allen; Marketing Corporation of America (boutique consulting firm in Westport, Connecticut); and her own assignments.

She currently serves on the boards of Sponge-Jet, Inc., Portsmouth, NH (advanced, recyclable, industrial surface preparation technology); and Gould Academy, Bethel, Maine

Benda Kithaka

Benda Kithaka is a Health Advocacy & Behaviour Change Communications Specialist, with over 20 years’ experience in communications, research, and health advocacy.  Founder of KILELE Health Association, a non-profit organization, registered in Kenya. Benda previously served on the Board of Women4Cancer for nine years, a Kenyan NGO she co-founded in 2012, whose Vision is a Cervical Cancer Free Kenya.  Benda sits on various global, regional and local Technical Working Groups in an advocacy and advisory role. She co-chairs the AORTIC Advocacy Special Interest Group regionally in Africa, and in Kenya is Co-Chair of the STOP Cervical Cancer technical working group. She is also a Trainer, Facilitator and Public Speaker in advocacy for Women’s Health. 

Benda has received various awards including the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) Distinguished Advocacy Award 2019, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) award to participate as the civil society voice in the Regional Consultation on the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in the African Region (May 2019).
Technical Advisory Council

Sean Lane - SPIRE Soccer Director  

A former English striker/midfielder for Derby County and Hereford United in the UK, and later in Australia. He is a forward-thinking, professional coach with a proven track record of developing young players and winning championships in Australia and a Head Coach in professional leagues in Asia. Sean believes in developing strong, well-adjusted and capable individuals and more resilient people.

Thad Schultz - SPIRE Swimming Director

A standout swimmer at West Virginia, Schultz’s vast knowledge base spans the club, NCAA and national team array. A 25-year coaching veteran, Schultz spent time coaching on the college scene at Clemson and Ohio State before joining Penn State in 2009. Coach Thad has worked with over 20 Olympic swimmers, 18 NCAA All-Americans and dozens of state and sectional champions.

Kerron Stewart - SPIRE Head Coach of Sprints

A world-class sprinter from Jamaica, has silver and bronze medals at the 2008 Olympics and 2012 London Games. A seven-time All-American at Auburn University, she ran a 10.8 in the 100m and 21.99 in the 200m at the 2008 Jamaican Olympic Trials. Kerron’s career includes five Golden League victories, multiple World Athletics Finals medals, and a Pan-Am Games silver medal, solidifying her legacy as a track and field powerhouse.

Jeff Gonzalez - SPIRE Basketball Director  

As Post Grad Assistant Coach (2020 – 2023) he helped build two top 15 National prep teams. The teams attended the National Prep Championships in 2022 and 2023.

Some notable alumni of Spire Academy's basketball program include Lamelo Ball and Robert Bobrocyzki.