Alana Humphrey

Born and raised in Buffalo NY, Alana is passionate about investing in the community’s health and well-being, enrichment, and everlasting potential of emerging change makers. Alana received her associate degree from Niagara County Community College in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Exercise Sports Science from D’Youville University. Alana is also continuing her education to become a certified Integrative Life Coach and yoga/mindfulness instructor in various modalities.

Before joining the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s team, Alana was an admin at the Independent Health Foundation for the Soccer for Success After-School program. In this role, she oversaw recruitment, hiring, training, and evaluations of local coach-mentors, social media creation engagements, delivery of professional development opportunities, and establishing and maintaining community partnerships to support the program. Alana also served as a Youth Advocate for Hillside Family of Agencies and currently volunteers as a soccer and tennis coach with local Buffalo programs like Algonquin Sports for Kids. As a former athlete in soccer, tennis, and martial arts, her coaching journey began ten years ago after sustaining a soccer injury while playing in college.

Her first coaching experience was at her alma mater, McKinley Vocational High School, where she focused on player/skill development with the women’s varsity team, working alongside her coaching mentor, Coach Joe Marciniak. After gaining foundational coaching insights from her mentor and later joining the Independent Health Foundation’s Soccer for Success program as a Coach-Mentor, Alana noticed a shift in her coaching philosophy. These experiences were the driving force for integrating positive mentorship practices into her daily coaching style and inspiring her current life’s work.

In 2021, Alana began directly working with the U.S. Soccer Foundation as a National Facilitator, leading trainings nationally for Soccer for Success After-School, Just Ball, and Coach-Mentor Training. This rewarding experience has aligned with her passion for helping individuals reach their highest potential and discovering their unique strengths, which they can share within their communities!

Outside of work, you may find Alana rooting for both the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Bandits, attending music concerts and festivals, going for a hike or run, if not coaching then playing pickup soccer, tending to her mini jungle of plants or mini zoo of pets, discovering a new hobby (while attempting to finish her latest fun project), or hanging out with family and friends!