SMILE SPORTSOur people
The ones here now,
and the ones who got us here
Coaches, teachers, dentists, advisors and volunteers on three continents.
We use sports to make oral health education fun for children.
The board
Dr. Ethel Alfaro
Director · Director of Dental Programs
Dr. Ethel is one of the most well-regarded dentists in the greater Chicago area. For Smile Sports, she leads the oral health education aspect of our youth sports camps. Dentistry is her way of giving back to the community, changing lives one smile at a time. She lives by the Charlie Chaplin quote: “You’ll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile.” Her warmth, compassion, and commitment align perfectly with the Smile Sports mission.
Read more
During her CDI residency, she earned the leadership role of Chief Dental Resident, where she trained and mentored junior colleagues across a variety of patient treatments. She also performed a wide array of full-mouth rehabilitations and advanced oral surgeries catering to underserved communities in Cleveland. Dr. Ethel holds a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from Centro Escolar University in Manila, Philippines.
Brian Murphy
Director · Founder and President
Brian Murphy is the founder and president of Smile Sports. He previously founded and served as president of Travelbond, which operated throughout Kenya before evolving into Smile Sports. As the acting program director for sports and recreation at Smile Sports, he handles all marketing and program management, leading both local and international community-based programs.
Read more
Brian is a longtime college basketball coach who has participated in 24 NCAA Tournament games and traveled to 25 countries over the course of his basketball career. A USA Basketball and FIBA-certified coach, his background also includes roles as an intramural director, facilities coordinator, physical education instructor, and game management specialist. Additionally, Murphy founded the Chicago-based company Box Dibs in 2018.
Throughout his career, Murphy has coached at eight highly regarded academic and athletic universities across the country, learning from some of the top coaches in the nation. His coaching stops have included Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, Bethany College, West Virginia University, Loyola University, SUNY Morrisville, Franklin & Marshall College, Case Western Reserve University, and currently, Elmhurst University. Murphy resides in Chicago, Illinois, and looks forward to his upcoming trips to the Philippines and Kenya.
Ben Moulton
Director · Director of International Travel
Benjamin Moulton serves as Director of International Travel for Smile Sports, bringing logistical and operational expertise to the organization’s community programs and global travel teams. Originally from Clinton, New York, his history with the program traces back to its foundational roots: he served on the first board of directors for Travelbond and acted as travel manager during the organization’s inaugural team trip to Kenya.
Read more
He oversees the behind-the-scenes logistics that ensure camps and travel initiatives run seamlessly, including travel arrangements, athlete meals, facility coordination, and equipment distribution.
Michael Murphy
Director ·
Director of Camps and Child Safety
Read more
Michael Murphy joins the board of directors after serving as a strategic advisor for Smile Sports. He is the founder of NYC based Kids in the Game, which he launched in 2003 with a single bag of used basketballs. Under his leadership, the organization grew to serve over 25,000 children annually.
Michael spent over a decade coaching men’s basketball, including four years at Columbia University, and previously served as sports education coordinator at Asphalt Green. He is a graduate of Hamilton College, where he played varsity basketball under his father, Tom Murphy.
Advisors
People we call for big decisions.
Dr. Frances Niduaza-Murphy
Advisor, Early Childhood Programs, U.S. and Philippines
Dr. Frances Niduaza-Murphy joins Smile Sports as a strategic advisor, bringing arts leadership, youth development expertise, and athletic advocacy to the team. As Director of Performing Arts for Kids in the Game in New York City, Frances has dedicated her career to enriching children’s lives through creative, engaging programming.
Read more
She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree and is an accomplished classical soprano, performing with ensembles like the New York Choral Society. Her background spans both the arts and physical education, making her a champion for holistic youth wellness.
Raymond Barry
Theatre and Arts Advisor
Raymond J. Barry served as an arts and creative programming advisor for Travelbond, bringing a lifetime of global performance and community outreach to the organization. A veteran American stage, television, and film actor, Barry graduated from Brown University and studied at the Yale School of Drama, appearing in films including Born on the Fourth of July and Dead Man Walking.
Read more
He met founder Brian Murphy in New York City to help design Travelbond’s initial outreach initiatives, and continues to advise on integrating music, painting, and performing arts into youth sports camps.
Tom Murphy
Basketball Development Advisor
Coach Tom Murphy serves as a senior advisor for Smile Sports, contributing a 63-year coaching career and a nomination for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026. He amassed more than 1,000 career victories and was twice named NABC Division III Coach of the Year.
Read more
He spent 34 seasons as head coach at Hamilton College, where the court is named in his honor, and served Northeastern University’s basketball program from 2006 until 2025. In his advisory role, he guides executive management and fundraising for Smile Sports.
Todd McGuinness
Basketball Development Advisor Coach Todd McGuinness has been head coach of Case Western Reserve men’s basketball since 2016 and is the winningest coach in the program’s history.
Read more
He holds a career record of 242 and 175 across seventeen years as a head coach, with three NCAA tournament appearances and back to back University Athletic Association championships in 2023 and 2024. He was named Empire 8 Coach of the Year at Hartwick. He played at Bethany College, where he was a three-year starter and a two-year co-captain.
Greg Carroll
NCAA Compliance
Greg Carroll serves as a compliance and strategic advisor for Smile Sports, bringing nearly two decades of collegiate athletic leadership. He served as Director of Athletics at SUNY Morrisville from 2001 to 2019, spearheading over $20 million in athletic facility transformations.
Read more
Greg was an instrumental advisor to Travelbond. In his role with Smile Sports, he oversees NCAA compliance and manages game rules for the U.S. College Travel Teams.
JoAnn Murphy
Dental and Entertainment Advisor JoAnn Murphy brings 35 years as a dental hygienist and a lifetime of entertaining.
Read more
She brings the fun to how we plan the Smile Zone, the dental station at every camp, so the lesson children remember is also the best part of their day.
Chicago Team
Ericka Alfaro
Camp design and experience volunteer
A University of Illinois Chicago architecture graduate who designs modern living spaces. She plans how each camp fits its building, and on camp day she is right in the middle of it with the kids.
Adil Waqas
Student volunteer
A student at the University of Illinois Chicago on the dental track. Adil runs volunteer onboarding and looks after the oral health quiz: the score sheets, the Spanish version and the scoring.
Brian Taylor
Software and apps advisor
He builds web and mobile apps for clients, and advises us on our website and the apps behind it.
Join Our Team
Chicago volunteer
Camp days, the Smile Zone, or the work between camps. Tell us what you are good at and we will find the work.
Camp days are run by volunteers from the neighborhoods we work in, college athletes, coaches, dental professionals and dental students. Every adult around a child is screened and trained first.
U.S. coaches
Chris Harney
U.S. Ambassador Coach
Coach Chris Harney was the first-ever U.S. Ambassador Coach for Team Travelbond. During humanitarian tours to East Africa, Harney directed basketball clinics and coached the U.S. Travelbond squad against elite Kenyan clubs across Nairobi and Kisumu.
Read more
He is the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, heading into his 22nd season leading the Seahawks. His tenure includes 10 winning seasons, six Capital Athletic Conference regular-season titles, five NCAA Tournament berths, and four NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
Alan Walls
Lead FIBA Coach
Coach Alan Walls served as Team Travelbond’s second Head Coach and has acted as a trusted sports advisor to Smile Sports. He has compiled over 30 years of elite experience in coaching and program administration, spanning youth, high school, NCAA collegiate, professional, and national team levels across 17 different countries.
Read more
He serves as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach for the Guyana National Team, following a tenure as Head Coach for the Malta Men’s National Team from 2022 to 2023, where Malta captured silver at the 2022 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries. He is also founder of The HoopVine, a news center for professional basketball coaching.
The Philippines team
Milo Ronquillo Bonifacio
Philippines Basketball Lead
Coach Milo Ronquillo Bonifacio serves as a Youth Basketball and Grassroots Programming Advisor for Smile Sports, bringing decades of competitive experience, athletic mentorship, and deep-rooted regional impact to the organization’s Southeast Asian initiatives. He first rose to prominence as a standout collegiate player for the Perpetual Help ALTAS during the 1990s era of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) in the Philippines.
Read more
Today, Coach Bonifacio leverages his athletic background to drive youth sports development throughout Central Luzon as head director of the Triple Double Basketball Camp in Floridablanca, Pampanga. He is heavily involved with the Pilipinas Basketball Grassroots League, preparing age-group divisions from 10U up to 14U and older to compete at the highest levels. In his advisory capacity with Smile Sports, his dual perspective as a former collegiate athlete and grassroots community organizer ensures our Philippines camps are executed with maximum local relevance.
Ty Urea
Philippines Basketball Lead
Coach Ty Urea serves as the Youth Basketball Advisor for Smile Sports, bringing elite grassroots coaching experience and deep regional knowledge to the organization’s international programs. As founder and head trainer of TY Basketball Camp (TYBC), Coach Ty has dedicated his career to using athletics as a vehicle for youth empowerment across Central Luzon.
Read more
His role with Smile Sports began during our expansion into Southeast Asia, where he was instrumental in planning and executing the inaugural Smile Sports camps in Mabalacat, Pampanga. He also collaborates with professional talent to host advanced clinics, and his programs serve as a scouting pipeline for the Junior MPBL, Milcu Gotskills, and the National Youth Basketball League (NYBL).
Marlon Alfaro
Philippines Hospitality Manager
Marlon Alfaro serves as the Philippines Hospitality Manager for Smile Sports, bringing an international hospitality background to the organization’s regional programs. He directs ground logistics (hotel bookings, meal arrangements and hydration) for visiting delegations, drawing on prior experience across the global hospitality and luxury cruise line sectors, including a tenure with Holland America Line.
Read more
Alfaro also serves as chief visual storyteller for the regional division, managing photography and videography during the inaugural Philippines humanitarian program, ensuring the community impact is documented and shared.
Emmanuel Alfaro
Pampanga Community Coordinator
Emmanuel Alfaro played a pivotal role in the inaugural Philippines humanitarian program in November 2025, managing airport pickups, team transport, and travel schedules for visiting delegations. His familiarity with regional operations and Pampanga history made him an exceptional tour manager.
Read more
He also coordinated community infrastructure, acting as liaison to local school leaders and area restaurants, and personally directed camp logistics including distribution of dental hygiene packs to campers.
Joni Alfaro
Philippines Strategic Medical Advisor
Joni Alfaro is a dedicated healthcare professional and community wellness leader who serves as a Strategic Medical and Oral Health Advisor for Smile Sports in the Philippines. As a Registered Midwife with a background in public healthcare, Joni specializes in maternal, neonatal, child health, and community nutrition, overseeing medical check-ins and data gathering in Pampanga.
Read more
She works closely with Dr. Ethel Alfaro and visiting dental volunteers to lead oral health education modules for youth campers. She is also officially recognized as a Nutrition Hero by the Mabalacat City Government for her work as a Rural Health Midwife and on the City Nutrition Committee.
Paulo
Dental Student
Paulo serves as a Dental Student Mentor and Local Operations Assistant for Smile Sports in the Philippines. Raised in an environment committed to public healthcare in Pampanga, Paulo bridges high-energy sports engagement with preventative community health education on the court.
Read more
He worked alongside the senior clinical team during the organization’s first pilot program, assisting visiting dental volunteers with check-ins and translating clinical instructions into easy-to-understand dental hygiene concepts for youth campers.
Kenya and Africa advisors
Dr. Khama Rogo
Lead African Health Advisor
We are forever grateful for the help of Dr. Khama Rogo. He played an enormous role in making our first trips to Kenya a success, connecting the Travelbond team with the Kenya Basketball Federation, Granny Obama, the Kenya Minister of Education, and multiple top schools and programs.
Read more
Dr. Rogo is a distinguished global health leader and obstetrician-gynecologist who founded several institutions in Kenya, including the Nairobi Oncology Centre, the Nairobi Women’s Hospital, and the Sagam Community Hospital in rural Siaya. He served as Lead Health Sector Specialist and Head of the World Bank Group’s Health in Africa Initiative, which mobilized over USD 5 billion in new health sector investments in Africa. He is a recipient of the Margaret Sanger Award and the Kenya Lifetime Service Achievement Award.
Ambrose Kisoi
Lead School Sports Advisor
Ambrose Kisoi is a respected Kenyan sports administrator and basketball executive who served as the Lead Basketball and School Advisor during Team Travelbond’s inaugural humanitarian trip to Nairobi. He acted as the operational bridge between the visiting U.S. delegation and the local athletic community.
Read more
As a primary liaison at Upper Hill School, one of Nairobi’s premier basketball powerhouses, Kisoi coordinated logistical access and goodwill scrimmages. His background includes serving as the former Secretary General of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF).
Lucie Rogo
African Environment Advisor
Dr. Lucie M. Rogo is a foundational strategist, environmental advisor, and long-standing international supporter of the program’s initiatives in East Africa. An expert in environmental policy and entomology, Dr. Rogo earned her Ph.D. from the University of Nairobi and holds an MBA.
Read more
She was part of the original foundational conversations that shaped the organization, and pioneered the idea of expanding the camps beyond sports and healthcare to include environmental stewardship and sustainability education.
Erick Omondi
FIBA Officials, Travel Advisor
Erick Omondi is a premier technical official and educator in East African basketball, serving as a certified FIBA International Referee and National Referees Instructor for the Kenya Basketball Federation. He regularly represents Kenya on the biggest stages in African basketball, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Elite 16 tournament.
Read more
During the organization’s inaugural trip to Kenya, Erick coordinated cross-country travel logistics and anchored coaching clinics across Nairobi, Kisumu, Maseno, and Nakuru.
Travel ambassadors
Dave Apple
U.S. Media Ambassador
Dave Apple is a professional photographer, videographer, and visual storyteller who served as a U.S. Media Ambassador during Team Travelbond’s humanitarian mission to Kenya, documenting youth sports camps, exhibition games, schools, and area hospitals.
Read more
A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, he previously served as a Staff Photographer for Epic Colorado Magazine and is the founder of Advanced Imaging Methods, a production company specializing in commercial imagery and aerial videography.
Max Brewer
Travel Ambassador (later Program Manager)
Max Brewer is an exemplary sports leader and former collegiate student-athlete whose impact on Team Travelbond earned him national distinction. Brewer traveled to East Africa as a U.S. Travel Ambassador on the organization’s inaugural humanitarian mission, hosting basketball clinics for youth players and coaches while volunteering at area orphanages.
Read more
He was later elevated to Program Manager for a subsequent Travelbond trip to Kenya, a role he has since completed. Prior to his global outreach work, he was a standout senior guard for the Franklin & Marshall College Diplomats. In recognition of his humanitarian service, Brewer was named to the Allstate NABC Good Works Team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Joe Ives
U.S. Travel Ambassador
Joe Ives is a dedicated public servant and former student-athlete who served as a U.S. Travel Ambassador on Team Travelbond’s inaugural humanitarian mission to Kenya, running basketball clinics for local coaches and youth and volunteering at area orphanages.
Read more
He was a standout player for the Eastern Connecticut State University basketball team, and today works within the State of Connecticut Department of Correction system.
Ed Early
U.S. Travel Ambassador
Ed Early is a dedicated athletic professional and former collegiate basketball player who served as a U.S. Travel Ambassador on Team Travelbond’s inaugural humanitarian mission to Kenya, conducting basketball clinics for local youth and coaches and volunteering at area orphanages.
Read more
He was a standout 6’7″ forward for the Franklin & Marshall College Diplomats, leading the Centennial Conference in field goal percentage during his junior season.
Stephen Brewer
U.S. Travel Ambassador
Stephen Brewer is a dynamic operational strategist and Travel Ambassador specializing in the execution of international sports initiatives and cross-border logistics. During the organization’s inaugural tour to Kenya, Stephen served as a Group Manager, overseeing transportation networks and on-ground logistics.
Read more
Working alongside his brother Max, a key athlete on the touring team, Stephen anchored the operational footprint for community camps and coaching clinics across the country.
Patrick Corrigan
U.S. Travel Ambassador
Patrick Corrigan is a collegiate basketball coach and former student-athlete who served as a U.S. Travel Ambassador on Team Travelbond’s inaugural humanitarian mission to Kenya, leading training clinics for youth players and coaches and volunteering at local orphanages.
Read more
He was a standout guard at Hampden-Sydney College and later Head Coach at Ferrum College, earning Coach of the Year honors. He now serves as Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach for the University of West Florida Argonauts.
Matt Newell
U.S. Travel Ambassador
Matt Newell is a former collegiate basketball player and corporate professional who served as a U.S. Travel Ambassador on Team Travelbond’s inaugural humanitarian mission to Kenya, organizing basketball clinics for youth and local coaches and volunteering at area orphanages.
Read more
He was a standout forward for the Elmira College Soaring Eagles, majoring in Business Management, and today works in sales, marketing, and corporate account management.
Max Needle
U.S. Travel Ambassador
Max Needle is an entrepreneurial investor, corporate executive, and former standout athlete who served as a U.S. Travel Ambassador on Team Travelbond’s inaugural humanitarian mission to Kenya, hosting basketball clinics for regional coaches and youth and volunteering at area orphanages.
Read more
He is the Founder of Diamond Arc Legacy, an investment firm focused on small-to-medium business acquisition, and an Entrepreneur in Residence at Next Coast Legacy.
Former directors
Brian Shaw
Former Secretary, Board of Directors
Brian Shaw is a meticulous organizational professional based out of Clinton, New York, recognized for his operational execution and governance background. Serving as the original Board Secretary for Travelbond, Brian played a central role in managing the administrative and logistical complexities of the organization’s foundational launch phases, establishing compliance structures and maintaining communication between board members.
Read more
Today, Brian continues to apply his operational expertise within the local Clinton business landscape.
Brian Murray
Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors
Bryan P. Murray is a dynamic executive leader with over fifteen years of experience in partnership management and business development. He served as the original Vice Chair of Travelbond, translating foundational strategies into actionable business operations.
Read more
A graduate of Loyola University, Bryan got his start in management as a student assistant for the university’s basketball team, later forging a coaching partnership with Brian Murphy at SUNY Morrisville, guiding the men’s basketball squad to an elite #2 national ranking and a 26-5 record during the 2005-06 season.
Dr. Brian Hearn
Former Chairman of the Board
Dr. Brian Hearn, MD, is a respected healthcare professional based in the Clinton and Utica regions of New York. A graduate of SUNY Upstate Medical University, Dr. Hearn has dedicated over two decades to patient-centered clinical care and community leadership.
Read more
He served as the original Board Chair for Travelbond, where his strategic oversight and structural development frameworks were instrumental in launching the organization and mapping its long-term corporate governance roadmap.
Kevin Keane
Former Treasurer, Board of Directors
Kevin Keane served as the original Treasurer for Travelbond, establishing financial structures and corporate governance frameworks from the ground up during the organization’s foundational era.
Read more
He currently serves as a High School Principal in New York, across Cherry Valley-Springfield and Fort Plain, bringing a direct understanding of student dynamics and school administration to his long-standing commitment to youth development.
In memoriam
Corwith Davis III
Founding Strategic Advisor (In Memoriam)
Corwith Davis III lived a life defined by passion, intellect, and a profound commitment to sustainable community building. Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, he attended Hamilton College, graduating in 1999, where he built an enduring friendship with future Smile Sports founder Brian Murphy.
Read more
He later earned his JD from Tulane University and stepped into the role of Chief Operating Officer of Inglewood Plantation, converting the historic family land into a certified organic farm. As the original strategic advisor to Travelbond, he applied this same visionary focus to the organization’s global framework.
Travelbond started as a conversation in his New Orleans kitchen in April 2012. The day before the first trip to Kenya, Corwith tragically passed away on August 6, 2012, while hiking in North Carolina. To honor his memory, the inaugural U.S. College Travel Team wore black jersey bands and the entire roster wore #1 during their first trip to Kenya. His spirit remains the driving force behind Smile Sports.
Sarah Onyango Obama
International Advisor, ’Granny Obama’ (In Memoriam)
Sarah Onyango Obama, affectionately known globally as “Mama Sarah” and remembered warmly by the team as “Granny Obama,” served as a deeply cherished international advisor for the organization’s initial outreach initiatives in East Africa. A world-renowned Kenyan philanthropist and matriarch of the Obama family, she dedicated her life to educating and empowering vulnerable youth through the Mama Sarah Obama Foundation.
Read more
During the historic initial trips to Kenya, Granny Obama welcomed founder Brian Murphy and the U.S. College Travel Team into her home in Nyang’oma Kogelo, connecting the team with numerous area orphanages and schools. Though she has passed away, her legacy of compassion continues to guide the organization’s outreach projects.
Paul Agali Otula
President, Kenya Basketball Federation (In Memoriam)
Paul Agali Otula was a legendary Kenyan educator and sports visionary who served as the long-time President of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF). He was instrumental in the success of Team Travelbond’s humanitarian mission, personally opening doors across the nation and coordinating with FIBA officials to sanction the team’s international exhibition games.
Read more
He was also the celebrated Chief Principal of Maseno School, where he created sports and mentorship programs for young boys, girls, and local orphans. Remembered as a humble, driven, and genuinely amazing leader, his sudden passing left a significant void in the global basketball community.
Community Collaboration
Want to help?