Meet The Executives
Cora Hepburn
President
Cora Hepburn is a trailblazer in the world of sports in The Bahamas. She was the first female coach for the Bahamas Volleyball National Team, and the first female president of the Bahamas Volleyball Federation from 1995-1997. She was also the first female vice president of the Gymnastics Federation of Bahamas in 2016. She became the acting president after Barbara Thompsons death on March 14, 2018, and was officially elected president of GFB on November 11, 2023. In addition to her roles in gymnastics and volleyball, she was also the first female vice president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee from 2014 to the present. She attended Saint Augustines in Nassau and graduated in 1973. She then attended St. Augustines College in Raleigh, North Carolina, and graduated in 1983. She worked at the Central Bank of Bahamas from December 1983 to September 2016. She has led teams to compete in many competitions, including World Games, Pan Am Games, Central American and Caribbean Games, Caribbean Volleyball Championships, Bahamas first Carifta games, and the Caribbean Central Bank Games. She has been a driving force in the development of sports in The Bahamas, and has been recognized for her contributions with numerous awards.
Ashley-Aria Knowles
Vice President
Ashley-Aria Knowles is a passionate educator and dedicated advocate for youth development. A natural leader, she founded a private school in 2014, demonstrating her commitment to providing quality education. Inspired by her own childhood experiences in dance classes, Ashley-Aria moved to Eleuthera and established Island Dance and Gymnastics, where she cultivates the talents of young athletes. Since 2021, she has guided her team to numerous victories in various international competitions, accumulating a collection of medals. Ashley-Aria's dedication extends beyond her own gym, as she serves as Vice President of the Gymnastics Federation of The Bahamas. In 2024, she played a pivotal role in leading the first-ever national gymnastics team to the Carifta Games in Kingston, Jamaica, where they achieved an impressive haul of over 22 medals. Ashley-Aria Knowles is a testament to the power of dedication and a role model for how to empower young people through education and sport.
Dr. Miquela Rolle
Vice President
Dr. Miquela Rolle is an accomplished physical therapist with over 1O years of experience in the field of rehabilitation and sports medicine. Her expertise spans injury prevention, recovery, and performance optimization, which she has successfully applied to athletes of all levels. As the Vice President of the Gymnastics Federation of the Bahamas, Dr. Rolle has become a key figure in advancing the sport of gymnastics within the nation, contributing to the development and well-being of athletes across all disciplines. In 2024, Dr. Rolle played an instrumental role in helping the Bahamas gymnastics team achieve remarkable success at the CARIFTA Gymnastics Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, where the team earned over 22 medals. Her innovative approaches to injury management were crucial in enhancing the team's performance, ensuring their physical readiness and mental resilience on the international stage. With a strong dedication to fostering the growth of gymnastics in the Bahamas, Dr. Rolle continues to inspire and lead by example, blending her expertise in physical therapy with her passion for the sport to drive excellence in gymnastics.
Rashad Cunningham
Asst Secretary General
Kim Saunders
Treasurer
Dawn Johnson
Asst Treasurer
Kachara Marshall
Coach/Technical Representative
Simone Hall
Coach/Technical Representative
As a former level 10 gymnast who trained for 17 years, Simone Hall has competed on the world stage, proudly representing our country and showcasing the talent of Bahamian athletes. Trained in New Jersey, she competed in various competitions under Arena Gymnastics, coached by Ann and Valdi Kolasa. Notably, she competed at the Fantasia Classic, qualifying for states and placing second, which allowed her to advance to regionals. Simone made history as the first Bahamian athlete to compete in the Pan American Games, demonstrating that the sky is the limit for athletes from our nation. Her accolades, including being named Athlete of the Year and Gymnast of the Year, as well as receiving the Governor General Award in Sports, inspire other Bahamian athletes. She competed at the Pan American Championships alongside her teammates Toneka Johnson and Kianna Dean, and at the World Games with Kianna Dean, proving that no matter the size of our country, we can reach the highest levels of competition and make our mark globally. Additionally, Simone has dedicated 15 years to coaching, continuing to uplift and guide the next generation of gymnasts in the Bahamas. Simone Hall truly exemplifies the limitless potential of Bahamian athletes. Her determination and success on the international stage reflect the hard work and dedication that can lead to greatness. Simone continues her pursuit in the area of gymnastics as she is now the coach/technical representative on the Gymnastics Federation Board.