Celebrating the leaders shaping the future of cheer—one athlete, one program, and one act of impact at a time.
Big change doesn’t always come from big stages.
It happens quietly—in training halls, choreography sessions, judges’ rooms, offices, and late-night conversations where belief is built and courage is reinforced.
This year’s Ten Who Make a Difference honors individuals whose influence reaches far beyond routines and trophies. They are innovators, protectors, educators, storytellers, and builders of safe, joyful, athlete-first spaces. Their work is reshaping cheer at the local, national, and global level—and their impact will be felt for generations.
After reviewing hundreds of nominations, listening to athletes, families, coaches, and programs across the country, we’re proud to introduce our 2025 honorees.
Specifically, each of these ten leaders embodies what real difference-making looks like in cheer:
integrity, compassion, ingenuity, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to young people.
Lisa Aucoin — Global Educator & Champion for Women in Cheer
Spring CDT • Bloom Agency
With a career spanning 55+ countries, Lisa has become one of cheerleading’s most influential educators. The founder of Spring CDT and Bloom Agency, she has trained thousands of coaches, elevated international standards, and championed women’s leadership in the sport.
Her work has built bridges across the world, significantly expanding access to high-quality education, and shaping the evolution of cheer as a global discipline.Lisa’s legacy is one of empowerment, innovation, and relentless commitment to lifting the industry higher.
Catherine Calloway — Community Builder & Advocate for Access
Technique Gems — Co-Founder & Owner
For over 30 years, Catherine has proved that elite talent exists everywhere. As the driving force behind Chicago’s Technique Gems, she didn’t just remove barriers, she shattered ceilings. She delivered on her mission in 2019, when she led the ‘Glitter Girls’ to an NCA championship title, becoming the first African-American team from the Midwest to do so.
That victory wasn’t just for the jackets- it was a statement on representation and possibility. For this purpose, Calloway continues to redefine what access looks like in all-star cheer.
Craig Hallmark — Scoring Architect & Advocate for Fairness
Open Championship Series — Scoring Director
For nearly three decades, Craig has shaped cheerleading at every level—as a coach, gym owner, judge, choreographer, and entrepreneur. His recent work with the Open Championship Series has been transformational, effectively dismantling the “black box” of judging. By engineering a more transparent, objective-based scoring model, he replaced subjective guesswork with clear, teachable standards. Moreover, Hallmark has built successful ground up businesses within the industry such as J&C Cheer Camps and 5678 Solutions.
He has made the rubric available and understandable to everyone, ensuring that every gym—regardless of size or politics—has the tools to succeed.As a result of his commitment to integrity the competitive landscape has leveled out for thousands of athletes.
Kayla Wygal — Judge Educator & Protector of Athlete Experience
Deep South Spirit — Director of Scoring & Education
Kayla’s influence on modern judging is unmatched. Known for her fairness, clarity, and passion for the athlete experience, she has built a national education pipeline for judges and junior coaches—ensuring the future of cheer is rooted in consistency and care. Her work behind the scenes has improved event accuracy, reduced scoring errors, and raised the bar for what ethical, athlete-centered adjudication looks like.
Kayla leads with heart, humility, and relentless commitment to doing things the right way.
Adrien Rocha — Leader in Athlete Mental Health & Gym Culture
The California All Stars Ontario — Gym Director
