Meet the Women Leading PlayHer Way
Last week, Eastside FC formally launched PlayHer Way, a long-term initiative focused on creating more opportunities, stronger experiences and clearer pathways for girls and women in soccer.
Now, we are introducing the women who will lead the work.
Debbie Nelson has been named Director of PlayHer Way, with Erin Vaughan and Jodi Ülkekul serving as Program Managers. Together, they will help shape the initiative’s priorities, develop programming, build partnerships and turn PlayHer Way from a commitment into sustained action.
Each brings a different perspective. Debbie combines coaching with more than two decades of leadership experience in corporate finance. Erin brings more than 20 years of coaching experience along with a playing career that included Aston Villa Ladies and the Welsh National Team. Jodi brings a more recent connection to the professional women’s game, having played in the United States, Italy, Spain and Australia.
All three are also coaches, which keeps the work close to the players and coaches PlayHer Way is intended to serve.
Debbie Nelson, Director
Debbie will provide overall leadership and direction for PlayHer Way, helping shape its priorities, programming, partnerships and long-term growth.
Originally from England, Debbie spent 25 years playing competitive soccer before eventually moving into coaching through her family’s involvement with Eastside FC. Her two children play at the club, giving her the perspective of a player, parent and coach within youth soccer.
Before coaching, Debbie spent more than two decades in corporate finance, including a role at Microsoft that brought her to the Pacific Northwest. That combination of organizational leadership and firsthand experience within the club will help guide PlayHer Way as it grows.
“I’m excited to take on this role and work alongside Erin and Jodi to build something that makes a lasting difference. We want more girls to discover the joy and benefits of playing sport, and we want Eastside FC to be a place where girls feel they belong and grow in confidence, and where women are supported to coach and lead. We have a strong community of players, coaches, and families to build on, and I’m looking forward to what we can do together.”
Erin Vaughan, Program Manager
Erin will help turn the PlayHer Way vision into programs and experiences for girls, coaches and the broader community.
A native of Wales, Erin played nine years with Aston Villa Ladies and represented Wales at both the youth and senior international levels, earning 19 senior caps. She later came to the United States to play in the WPSL before settling in the Seattle area.
Her coaching experience spans more than two decades. Erin began coaching at 16 and has worked with players across a wide range of ages and levels. She currently holds a USSF B License and is working toward her A License.
Her experience as both an international player and longtime coach gives PlayHer Way a perspective rooted in what girls experience across different stages of the game.
“I'm incredibly excited to be part of PlayHer Way because it represents so much of what I believe in. Throughout my coaching career, I've seen the confidence, friendships, and life lessons soccer can provide for girls when they feel supported and valued. PlayHer Way is an opportunity to create even more of those experiences by helping girls find a sense of belonging, supporting female leaders, and ensuring more girls and women can grow, thrive, and lead within our soccer community.”
Jodi Ülkekul, Program Manager
Jodi will support the development and delivery of PlayHer Way programming, with a particular focus on connection, belonging and creating new opportunities across the initiative.
A Sammamish native, Jodi played at Gonzaga University before continuing into the professional game with clubs in Italy, Spain, the United States and Australia, including Roma CF, CD Castellón, Seattle Reign, Spokane Zephyr and Sydney FC.
Her recent professional experience gives PlayHer Way a direct connection to today’s women’s game, along with relationships across players, clubs and professional environments. Jodi has also coached in youth, college and professional settings and most recently worked with Sydney FC’s Sky’s Her Limit Foundation.
For Jodi, the opportunity to return home and contribute to the community where her own soccer journey began makes the role especially meaningful.
“It's a privilege to come home and serve the community that provided me with opportunities to achieve my dreams. I'm so grateful for this experience with PlayHer Way to learn from Debbie and Erin as we work to help females see what's possible for their future. I'm hopeful that this initiative will provide intentional, female-based perspectives and experiences so that girls and women of every demographic will have the opportunities I had, and many more.”
Backed Across Eastside FC
While Debbie, Erin and Jodi will lead PlayHer Way, the initiative is supported across Eastside FC’s operations, soccer and development leadership.
Executive Director of Operations Jeff Betts sees that support as an important part of giving the PlayHer Way team the ability to build something sustainable.
“PlayHer Way is an important step in our commitment to creating the best possible experience for girls and women at Eastside FC. Debbie, Erin, and Jodi bring tremendous passion, experience, and leadership to this initiative. I'm excited about what they can build together, and our role as a club is to make sure they have the support and resources to succeed.”
For Executive Director of Soccer Tom Bialek, female leadership and coach development are closely connected to the club’s broader soccer mission.
“Having women lead these initiatives brings an important perspective to our players’ development, while creating a place where talented female coaches can grow, thrive, and reach their potential. Our goal is to create more opportunities for women to enter, develop, and thrive in coaching, both at Eastside FC and throughout the broader soccer community.”
Executive Director of Development Chance Fry sees similar potential beyond the club itself.
“We’ve already seen how much interest and energy there is around PlayHer Way, and I think the real opportunity is in what we build from here. There are so many companies, community organizations and people in our area who care about creating more opportunities for girls and women. I’m excited to help bring some of those partners together, support this team, and find ways to make the work sustainable and meaningful over time.”
Building It Together
PlayHer Way is still at the beginning.
The initiative will focus on four connected areas: Female Coaching & Leadership, Player Experience & Wellbeing, Access & Participation, and Connection & Community. The programs within those areas will continue to develop as the team listens to players and coaches, works with families and specialists, and builds relationships inside and outside Eastside FC.
Debbie, Erin and Jodi are not expected to arrive with every answer. Their role is to help ask the right questions, bring people together and turn the club’s commitment into meaningful work over time.
They will also have a larger team around them, including Eastside FC coaches and leaders who bring their own perspectives to the initiative.
More of those voices will be shared as PlayHer Way develops.
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