Mark Frommer

President and Executive Board

Tennis has always been an integral part of Mark’s life.  Mark recognized early on that tennis was more than just a sport based on athleticism, but provided a constant intellectual challenges.  Mark appreciated how those skill sets transcended the tennis court and how he was able to apply them in his educational, professional and charitable endeavors.  Mark was drawn to TOP’s mission, as it was a reflection how TOP shows up for its students as they navigate through adolescence and young adulthood.  

Luca Serra

Vice-President and Executive Board

Tennis has always been part of Luca’s life—he grew up playing at Waveland Tennis Courts, played competitively in college, and even worked for Billie Jean King. He joined TOP because he wanted to take his lifetime of tennis experience and use it to give back to the kids of Chicago.

Katrinia Hamilton

Tennis always looked like fun to Katrinia, but it was actually the cute outfits that drew her to the game. She started playing after college and became deliriously addicted. She quickly realized that tennis is a game that grows and GLOWS you. As a board member she finds it rewarding to see the pride, purpose, and pure pleasure in the TOP students as they excel in the sport and in life.

George Navas

George played tennis competitively from the time he was 8 years old through college, when he played for the University of Michigan. One of his former teammates and closest friends was a TOP Scholar, and his success witGeorge Navash the program inspired George to get involved so he could impact the lives of future TOP Scholars.

Jeff Long

Jeff grew up playing USTA tournaments and played D1 tennis at Northern Illinois University. He was the Head Tennis Professional at Midtown Athletic Club when he first came across TOP. Fast-forward almost 20 years later, he’s still an active board member and loves seeing the success stories from graduates of the program.

Sherry Polachek

Sherry has over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, and leadership, beginning with Pfizer and spanning roles in medical device, rare disease, and healthcare technology. In 2023, she transitioned to gaming and now serves as an Account Executive at AGS, covering the Midwest.

A Chicago native, Sherry lives with her husband John, daughter Sofia, and dog Flower. An avid tennis player and Midtown Chicago member, she competes year-round in USTA, CITA, and Park District leagues. In 2025, she co-founded HittingAces.com — a platform uniting tennis, community, and philanthropy.

Hristo Bankov

Executive Board

Hristo started playing tennis when he was 5 and became a TOP Scholar when he was 13. The program made such a big difference in his life that he returned as a board member years later. He wants to help TOP’s current students grow and succeed through the program just like he did.

Roger Mitten

Roger founded TOP and led the organization from its inception in 1989 through 2003. After leaving tennis management in 2009, he transitioned into healthcare consulting, joining Accretive Health (now R1 RCM) as Senior Director of Consulting from 2009 to 2013. He later served as a medical consultant with Element Consulting Group (2014–2015) before moving to Recovery Ways, where he has served as Director of Appeals since 2015. Recovery Ways is part of the private equity portfolio of Chicago Pacific Founders.

Bonnie Serra

Bonnie was working at Midtown Athletic Club when she realized how many families just weren’t able to afford tennis lessons. She joined TOP because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids who were passionate about the sport but didn’t have the resources to pursue it.

Darinka Lora-Stepan

As a former TOP parent, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact of this program—not just through the tennis training, but through mentorship and leadership development that empower students to thrive. After watching my daughter benefit from the program I was inspired to join the board to give back and help other children succeed. It’s a privilege to be part of the village that supports these students and to witness the success stories of program graduates.

Julius Dixon

Julius is a Chicago native and proud TOP Alum. TOP helped to provide Julius with the opportunity to go to boarding school, and later Princeton University. Julius will always be grateful to TOP and a supporter of its mission.

Henrietta West - info coming soon.

Mark Frommer

President and Executive Board

Tennis has always been an integral part of Mark’s life.  Mark recognized early on that tennis was more than just a sport based on athleticism, but provided a constant intellectual challenges.  Mark appreciated how those skill sets transcended the tennis court and how he was able to apply them in his educational, professional and charitable endeavors.  Mark was drawn to TOP’s mission, as it was a reflection how TOP shows up for its students as they navigate through adolescence and young adulthood.  

Luca Serra

Vice-President and Executive Board

Tennis has always been part of Luca’s life—he grew up playing at Waveland Tennis Courts, played competitively in college, and even worked for Billie Jean King. He joined TOP because he wanted to take his lifetime of tennis experience and use it to give back to the kids of Chicago.

Katrinia Hamilton

Tennis always looked like fun to Katrinia, but it was actually the cute outfits that drew her to the game. She started playing after college and became deliriously addicted. She quickly realized that tennis is a game that grows and GLOWS you. As a board member she finds it rewarding to see the pride, purpose, and pure pleasure in the TOP students as they excel in the sport and in life.

George Navas

George played tennis competitively from the time he was 8 years old through college, when he played for the University of Michigan. One of his former teammates and closest friends was a TOP Scholar, and his success witGeorge Navash the program inspired George to get involved so he could impact the lives of future TOP Scholars.

Jeff Long

Jeff grew up playing USTA tournaments and played D1 tennis at Northern Illinois University. He was the Head Tennis Professional at Midtown Athletic Club when he first came across TOP. Fast-forward almost 20 years later, he’s still an active board member and loves seeing the success stories from graduates of the program.

Sherry Polachek

Sherry has over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, and leadership, beginning with Pfizer and spanning roles in medical device, rare disease, and healthcare technology. In 2023, she transitioned to gaming and now serves as an Account Executive at AGS, covering the Midwest.

A Chicago native, Sherry lives with her husband John, daughter Sofia, and dog Flower. An avid tennis player and Midtown Chicago member, she competes year-round in USTA, CITA, and Park District leagues. In 2025, she co-founded HittingAces.com — a platform uniting tennis, community, and philanthropy.

Hristo Bankov

Executive Board

Hristo started playing tennis when he was 5 and became a TOP Scholar when he was 13. The program made such a big difference in his life that he returned as a board member years later. He wants to help TOP’s current students grow and succeed through the program just like he did.

Roger Mitten

Roger founded TOP and led the organization from its inception in 1989 through 2003. After leaving tennis management in 2009, he transitioned into healthcare consulting, joining Accretive Health (now R1 RCM) as Senior Director of Consulting from 2009 to 2013. He later served as a medical consultant with Element Consulting Group (2014–2015) before moving to Recovery Ways, where he has served as Director of Appeals since 2015. Recovery Ways is part of the private equity portfolio of Chicago Pacific Founders.

Bonnie Serra

Bonnie was working at Midtown Athletic Club when she realized how many families just weren’t able to afford tennis lessons. She joined TOP because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids who were passionate about the sport but didn’t have the resources to pursue it.

Darinka Lora-Stepan

As a former TOP parent, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact of this program—not just through the tennis training, but through mentorship and leadership development that empower students to thrive. After watching my daughter benefit from the program I was inspired to join the board to give back and help other children succeed. It’s a privilege to be part of the village that supports these students and to witness the success stories of program graduates.

Julius Dixon

Julius is a Chicago native and proud TOP Alum. TOP helped to provide Julius with the opportunity to go to boarding school, and later Princeton University. Julius will always be grateful to TOP and a supporter of its mission.

Henrietta West - info coming soon.