Board Members
Emily Agueda
Emily Agueda is a founding member of the Craig Willinger Fund and has served as chairperson since Craig’s death in 2012. A Maryland native, she is a graduate of University of Maryland College Park. Emily played soccer recreationally in high school, college, and post-college before transitioning to pick-up games with “Soccer Moms,” a Baltimore-based soccer program developed to introduce adult women to the sport. Craving a different style of competition, Emily joined the Charm City Roller Girls, a women’s flat track roller derby league, where she played for seven years. Emily is a U.S. Soccer supporter and loves watching all European football. She works in digital marketing and lives in Baltimore, Maryland with Jeffrey, the best cat in the world.
Bethany Schwing
Bethany Schwing joined the CWFund board in September 2015 and serves as secretary. She is from Hershey, Pennsylvania, and graduated with her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Pittsburgh. Bethany currently works for Baltimore City Schools with preschool and elementary-aged students. Soccer came into her life at a young age, as she played competitively for nine years. Although her expertise was in cross country and track through high school and college, she has returned to her roots and plays soccer recreationally, both indoor and outdoor. Every weekend, she can be found supporting Liverpool F.C. in her current location of Baltimore, Maryland. YNWA.
Derrek Myers
Derrek joined the Craig Willinger Fund in September 2015 and serves as treasurer. A New England native living in Baltimore, he was introduced to the CWFund while watching Liverpool F.C. matches. Derrek has loved soccer since he could remember, playing both at a competitive level growing up and now in local recreational leagues. Derrek was also a soccer referee officiating youth, college and adult recreational games. He currently works in the corporate office of one of Maryland’s largest health systems.
Johanna Agueda
Johanna Agueda has been a volunteer for the Craig Willinger Fund since its inception in 2009. As a board member and Craig Willinger’s long-time girlfriend, she brings her experience and compassion for individuals and family members of those living with cancer. Johanna strongly believes that through each honoree and trip-of-a-lifetime granted, Craig’s legacy of hope and love continues. And every time she watches Bayern Munich, she is reminded how the “beautiful game” is much more than a sport, but a source of inspiration and hope for fans everywhere. Johanna graduated from the University of Maryland and received her MBA from Loyola University Maryland. She currently works as a consultant for a global healthcare organization and lives with her two children in Baltimore, Maryland.
Brian Shappell
Brian joined the Craig Willinger Fund in 2010 after various World Cup match watches at Baltimore’s Sláinte Irish Pub and gatherings of the Liverpool Baltimore Reds Supporters’ Club, of which he now serves as co-chairman. A native of New Jersey and a graduate of the college that produced standout U.S. players like Carli Lloyd and Alexi Lalas (Rutgers University), Brian moved to Maryland for work in 2003 for what was to be a “temporary” stay. After meeting his wife and new “family” in the form of Liverpool F.C. fans and members of the CWFund, Baltimore became home. Brian currently serves as managing editor and government affairs director at the National Association of Credit Management in Columbia, Maryland. You can find him most Mondays playing indoor soccer (poorly, but happily) with his team of Reds as well as during semi-regular charity matches versus Simon Torres’ band of local Arsenal supporters.
Patrick McAvoy
Patrick McAvoy joined the Craig Willinger Fund in March of 2014. He is a graduate of Stevenson University and is currently studying towards a master’s degree in cybersecurity. Patrick is a long time supporter of the EPL champion Chelsea F.C. and supports his local USL team, the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He lives in St Petersburg, FL with his family.
Simon Torres
Simon Torres joined the CWFund board in September 2015. A native of El Paso, Texas, Simon graduated from Georgetown University and American University’s Washington College of Law. He played competitive soccer in his youth and still plays (poorly) at the recreational level. Simon is an avid supporter of Arsenal F.C. and helps lead Charm City Gooners, the official branch of Arsenal America for the Baltimore area. Simon is an attorney for the federal government after several years in private practice as an employee benefits, labor and employment, and commercial litigator. He resides in Baltimore, Maryland with his family.