our visionary leaders
board of directors
GFI Academy’s Board of Directors is a team of passionate leaders dedicated to youth development, community building, and the power of sports. Their vision and expertise drive our mission to empower the next generation through training, mentorship, and opportunity.
janis burke
Strategic Sports & Community Impact Leader | Board Governance &
Major Events Expert
Janis Burke is a nationally recognized leader in sports governance, major event strategy, and community impact. As the former CEO of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, she was the first and only woman to hold this leadership role since the organization’s inception in 1997. Over her 18-year tenure, she played a pivotal role in bringing world-class sporting events to Houston, overseeing a $1.2 billion bond debt service for professional sports stadiums while securing high-profile events such as the College Football Playoffs, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Olympic Trials, AAU Junior Olympics, Copa America, National Battle of the Bands, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Under her leadership, these events contributed over $3 billion in economic impact to the region. Currently, Janis serves as a Board Member for GFI Academy, where she is committed to expanding access to youth soccer, breaking down socioeconomic barriers in sports, and using major events as catalysts for community development.
Current & Past Board Leadership
• Board Member, GFI Academy (2025–Present)
• Board Member, Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce (2012 – Present)
• Board Member, Texas Bowl (2017–2024)
• Founding Board Member & Chair (2021-2022), WISE (Women in Sports & Events) Houston Chapter (2016–2023)
• Board Member & Chair (2019-2021), Sports ETA (Sports Events & Tourism Association) (2011–2022)
• National Hall of Fame Committee, Sports ETA (2022 – Present)
• Finance Committee Chair, Delray Plants Company (Paid Board Position) (2013 – 2016)
Core Expertise
• Board Leadership & Governance – Extensive experience leading and advising national and regional boards in sports, business, and economic development.
• Major Event Strategy & Economic Growth – Led efforts to secure and manage international sporting events with multimillion-dollar economic benefits.
• Youth & Community Development – Founder of sports-focused foundations and initiatives, including scholarship programs and adaptive sports.
• Corporate & Government Partnerships – Established and managed high-impact partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, city officials, and global sports organizations.
Key Achievements
• Founder of the Sports Authority Foundation – Established programs that have distributed over $2 million in scholarships, youth development, and adaptive sports.
• National Industry Recognition – Inducted into the 2024 National Hall of Fame by the Sports Events & Tourism Association.
• Executive Board Leadership – Served as Chair of Sports ETA (2019-2021), leading the nation’s top sports tourism trade association.
• Award-Winning Leadership – Named one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women,
recognized as Most Admired CEO by the Houston Business Journal, and honored with the Sports Industry Impact Award from Sam Houston State University.
• Economic Development & Mega-Event Planning – Led the successful effort to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to Houston, ensuring lasting community benefits.
Jana Laird Phillips
Board Member, Energy Industry Marketing Executive & Community Leader
Jana Laird Phillips is an accomplished marketing executive with decades of experience in the energy industry, civic organizations, and nonprofit leadership. Known for her innovative strategies and ability to build impactful relationships, Jana has driven initiatives that influence industries, shape communities, and foster collaboration. With a career spanning energy utilities, government agencies, and civic engagement, she is a trusted voice and proven leader in both professional and volunteer capacities.
Current & Past Board Leadership
• GFI Academy Board Member
• Victory for Veterans Board Member: Recruited new sponsors for events. Collaborated on a new Fashion Show with Nordstrom’s in Washington, DC.
• Rotary Club of Downtown Houston: Co-chaired high-profile fundraisers, including an event honoring Lynn Wyatt, and collaborated with Baylor University on joint initiatives.
• Junior League (Houston, Washington, D.C., and Richardson): Held active and sustaining roles, supporting causes like the Children’s Assessment Center and arts education.
• United Way Campaign: As chairman for TXU, led efforts impacting over 15,000 employees, demonstrating her ability to mobilize large-scale campaigns.
• Civic Contributions:
• Host committee member for events such as the Orange Show Gala and Camp for All Fundraisers.
• Leadership roles in national and regional arts organizations, including the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra Young Professionals Group.
• Legislative advocacy and event support for the Children’s Assessment Center.
Core Expertise
• Board Leadership & Governance – Extensive experience leading and advising national and regional boards in sports, business, and economic development.Energy Industry Leadership:
• At TXU, Jana championed innovative marketing strategies, including introducing heat pump technology to North Texas and launching programs to promote all-electric homes. She led successful collaborations with homebuilders, realtors, and architects, earning recognition from the Dallas Builders and Realtors Association.
• While at Edison Electric Institute, she worked with executives across the U.S. utility sector and commercial industries to advance the adoption of all-electric solutions.
• As part of the Houston office of the New York Mercantile Exchange, she connected with key players in electricity trading and participated in organizations like the American Petroleum Institute and Texas Oil and Gas Association.
• Government and Agency Engagement: Collaborated with entities such as the Department of Energy, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Texas Public Utilities Commission on industry-shaping initiatives.
• Publishing and Thought Leadership: Authored the international bestseller Power Lies and developed two screenplays, showcasing her ability to communicate complex industry issues to broad audiences.
Key Achievements
• Recognized for marketing excellence, including top awards from the Dallas Chamber of Commerce and industry associations.
• Speaker and chair for conferences and events advancing energy efficiency and electric technology adoption.
• Published thought leader with a global perspective on energy innovation and its societal impact.
Tanu Grewal
Global Marketing Executive | Brand & Business Growth Strategist | Board
Leader
Tanu Grewal is a dynamic global marketing executive with a distinguished career in brand strategy, performance marketing, and business growth. With deep expertise in omnichannel marketing and brand transformation, she has launched, revitalized, and expanded billion-dollar brands across Fortune 100 companies and high-growth startups.
Named a Top 100 CMO, Tanu is recognized for her ability to align brand purpose with market strategy, creating high-impact consumer experiences that drive revenue and long-term brand equity. Her leadership extends beyond corporate success—she now lends her expertise to board governance, nonprofit leadership, and advisory roles, ensuring organizations optimize growth, innovation, and market differentiation.
Current & Past Board Leadership
• Board Member, GFI Academy
• Board Member, TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs)
• Member, The Marketing Academy CMO Fellowship
• Member, Harvard Women’s Leadership Forum
• Advisor, Multiple Global Brands & Startups
• Civic Contributions:
• Speaker & Thought Leader – Featured at industry panels on brand transformation, marketing innovation, and sustainability.
• Nonprofit Leadership – Supports women’s leadership initiatives and education-focused organizations.
• Corporate Social Responsibility Advocate – Developed sustainability-driven marketing and multicultural engagement platforms.
Core Expertise
• Global Brand Growth & Market Expansion:
• Successfully launched & positioned three international brands in the U.S., setting them up for $1B+ in projected revenue.
• Revitalized an iconic American brand, reversing a six-year decline and reclaiming the brand’s top market position.
• Spearheaded a global brand expression system that aligned international positioning with localized execution, driving millennial market growth.
• Revenue Optimization & Strategic Marketing:
• Led 5X topline revenue growth and 100% profit increase over five years, making her company one of the fastest-growing divisions.
• Managed marketing budgets from $10M to $75M, maximizing ROI and market share growth.
• Built a $7M+ eCommerce division from the ground up, with plans for digital sales to reach 20% of the business portfolio.
• Leadership & Cross-Functional Expertise:
• Advocated for U.S. market expansion at the global board level, securing investment in brand growth and infrastructure.
• Managed and scaled teams of 50+ professionals, fostering collaboration across diverse geographies, industries, and functions.
• Developed a sustainability-driven marketing strategy, positioning brands as leaders in corporate responsibility and environmental impact.
Key Achievements
• Vice President, U.S. Head of Marketing, Innovation & E-Commerce | AlEn USA (2016 – Present):
• Built and scaled a global marketing organization, driving U.S. market penetration and 5X revenue growth over six years.
• Launched a multi-brand go-to-market strategy, securing national retail distribution and eCommerce expansion.
• Developed a global sustainability strategy, integrating responsible sourcing and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Global Vice President of Marketing | Kohler Company, Baker Furniture (2013 – 2014):
• Led the global repositioning of Kohler’s luxury interiors business, expanding presence in the U.S., China, Russia, and the Middle East.
• Launched high-impact brand campaigns, driving 22% revenue growth and attracting younger, affluent consumer segments.
• North America Brand Marketing Leader | The Whirlpool Corporation (2012 – 2013):
• Managed a $4B flagship brand, leading innovation and marketing strategies to restore its #1 market position.
• Led the launch of connected home IoT platforms, positioning Whirlpool as a leader in smart home technology.
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