Board of Directors Spotlight: Joanna Beall

WESTBOROUGH, MA - The USTA New England Board of Directors is made up of Officers, State Delegates, Delegates at Large, President’s Appointees, and recent past presidents. Elected every three years, the board serves as the final authority on all policy matters within the section.

Board members bring a wide range of experience across the tennis community, including players, coaches, officials, administrators, and league representatives, while also representing regions across New England.

Applications for 2027–2029 term are open through May 3, and all interested individuals are encouraged to apply here. 

Joanna Beall, President of USTA Vermont, is dedicated to growing tennis across the Green Mountain State through youth and high school programming, inclusive initiatives, coaching development and facility support. A passionate advocate for community-driven growth, she works to expand access, strengthen volunteer engagement and connect local efforts with section and national resources. Joanna believes the USTA New England Board thrives on diverse perspectives and welcomes anyone eager to help grow the game.

 Joanna shares his tennis story below: 

Why did you decide to join USTA New England’s Board of Directors?

As the incoming President of the State Association of USTA Vermont, I was quickly made aware of the leadership support I would enjoy by becoming a member of the USTANE Board of Directors. The opportunity to collaborate with other section presidents seemed like an offer I could not refuse; I could engage thoughtfully and productively with USTANE staff; I wanted direct access to initiative and policy changes coming from USTA National; and I could observe the creative ways other states in our region solved similar problems. During my on-boarding journey, I was buoyed by the insights of state presidents from Rhode Island and New Hampshire and have received patient and informative care from USTANE staff. I have accepted that Vermont’s many challenges must be informed by the successes and failures of state association and section initiatives. It takes a village!

What was your initial connection to tennis?

Like so many players, my earliest tennis memory is on a public court and while I flirted with the game throughout my childhood, it wasn’t until I met my husband that I realized tennis would always be a part of our life together. Little did I know that I had no choice but to seriously embrace tennis in my mid-fifties; this meant finding humility in learning as an aging adult; overcoming a significant shoulder injury; managing emotions on the court; and finding my tennis people. Frank’s recent health challenges have meant that I am more committed than ever to the lifelong benefits of tennis on the body, mind, and spirit. The result is that I am dedicated to working with others to connect players and coaches of all ages and abilities with opportunities, organizations, and resources to ensure the future of tennis both at home and throughout the entire USTA organization. 

What is your professional background?

In my professional journey, I have been equally lucky in meeting the right people at the right time. As a degree holder from both undergrad and graduate writing programs at Johns Hopkins University, I have used my skills to teach creative and expository writing, mentor students at all stages of their academic careers, advise on capstone projects, collaborate with talented educators on program development, helm a Master of Arts distance learning program, and witness the growth and development of two decades of unforgettable writers and academics. My own research and creative writing efforts are enriched by all these experiences. For the past 27 years, I have also managed an LLC dedicated to the maintenance, sale, and distribution of 2 and 3-d work produced by two generations of artists. Finally, through my business Application Allies, I support high school and transfer students through the tricky college admissions process. In this role my goal is to build trust, harness creative energy, and collaborate with parents and guidance counselors to help students find their best path into an uncertain future. These are all areas of expertise which inform my participation on the USTANE Board of Directors.

How has your expertise helped USTA New England achieve its mission to promote and develop the sport of tennis in New England?

I am an excellent communicator, an inquisitive collaborator, a conscientious and well organized leader, and a quick learner. These skills have allowed me to support the USTANE Grants Committee in gathering and assessing both large and small requests from organizations throughout the section pursuing financial reources to grow tennis at the grassroots level. As Board Liaison to the Awards Committee, I have worked closely with Chair Deb LaPress to update our award offerings, promote and select worthy honorees from throughout the section, and shine a light on the hardworking volunteers who work with passion to grow the game. In recent months I have also taken a key role in advocating for other State Association Presidents as we navigate a shift in USTANE Board composition. Speaking for others, articulating our concerns, and promoting collaborative and congenial working relationships is key to moving our organization forward. Finally, my service on the USTA National Volunteer Engagement Committee has brought me into the orbit of other committed volunteers from around our 17 Sections. These leaders are all dedicated to providing onboarding, mentorship, and learning pathways to greater participation for volunteers at every level of the USTA. Meeting pioneering volunteers from other states united around a common goal helps me put our opportunities, needs, and challenges in perspective while providing creative insights.

What is a USTA New England initiative you’re most passionate about?

Like all USTA New England State Association Presidents, I am drawn to support tennis in ways that fit both our section wide strategic pillars and the needs and concerns of our local tennis communities. As I find inspiration working with young people, I work locally and at the sectional level to keep tennis focused on the future through Junior Team Tennis, our Bennington Aces NJTL, and the relationship recently formed between USTA New England and Vermont’s Principal Association (VPA) supporting high school tennis competitive play. Collaborating with our State League Committee and Recreation and Local League Coordinator to promote the captains, players, and organizers of our local League Play affirms our commitment to competition and good sportsmanship. The encroachment of pickleball on our public and private courts and our aging tennis infrastructure mean that rural Vermonters are not alone in having limited access to well maintained public courts; facility initiatives (maintenance, repair, new buildings) are very important to me because we cannot grow tennis without safe places to play. Finally, as teaching is a professional and personal driver, educational programs geared toward training our next generation of players, coaches, and officials demand a great deal of my attention. USTA Vermont puts dollars and effort behind every one of these initiatives!

Why should someone consider volunteering as a board member with USTA New England?

Wherever you are in New England, whatever tennis community nurtured your fire, however you express your love of the game, our section Board of Directors is always enriched by a variety of perspectives. Join us and share your tennis joy by helping New England grow the game.