USA Pickleball Elects Stephanie Russell as Board Chair for 2026

USA Pickleball’s board completed a planned leadership transition on December 30, 2025, when members elected Stephanie Russell to serve as Chair effective January 1, 2026. Russell, who has served four years on the USA Pickleball board, steps into the role with a background that blends legal and business training and hands-on experience as a recreational player.

Russell holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Business Administration and has worked professionally in corporate legal roles. Her combination of governance experience and professional credentials was a central factor in the board’s decision to elevate her to the chair position as the organization navigates sustained membership growth and increased public interest in pickleball nationwide.

The board’s announcement also recognized outgoing Chair Robert Quicksilver and board member Philip Bullen for concluding their terms. Their departures mark the end of a governance cycle and the start of a new leadership phase aimed at steady stewardship as the sport expands at community, regional, and national levels.

For amateurs, the leadership change is more than an administrative detail. Board chairs and directors influence which rulebook priorities rise to the top, how membership programs are structured, and where educational resources are allocated. Those decisions can alter the cadence of rule updates, the availability and format of referee and coach training, and the scope of community outreach that supports local leagues, recreational play, and sanctioned amateur tournaments.

Expect to see the new board’s strategic priorities reflected in upcoming communications, policy updates, and program offerings. Communities that run local leagues or host sanctioned events should monitor announcements for changes to referee certification timelines, coaching curricula, and membership benefits. Recreational players may also notice shifts in outreach efforts designed to grow participation among seniors, youth, and underserved neighborhoods.

Russell’s election underscores a governing body focused on governance continuity and organizational stewardship as pickleball continues to attract new players and organizers. Local clubs and tournament directors can use this transition as an opportunity to engage with national initiatives, provide feedback on rule and education priorities, and prepare for potential administrative updates that affect scheduling, officiating, and player services.