Who we are
The team at EmpowerU is a well-rounded group of professionals who genuinely care about making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Our staff brings experience across coaching, consulting, athletics, and more, allowing us to support clients from multiple perspectives. What truly sets our team apart is the depth of their life and professional experience, which informs a thoughtful, holistic approach to coaching. We invite you to take a deeper look at who we are and get to know the people behind the work, both professionally and personally.
Meet Our Team
John Graves - Owner
John Graves is a former Division I and professional football player who graduated from Virginia Tech with degrees in Psychology and Sociology. While at Virginia Tech, he was part of three ACC Championship teams and an Orange Bowl win.
After college, John played professionally with the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks before moving into coaching. He has coached at four Division I programs: Virginia Tech, Washington State, the University of Wisconsin, and Mississippi State. These experiences shaped his respect for athletics and strengthened his passion for helping athletes grow beyond performance.
John currently works as a consultant for the University of Wisconsin, supporting different departments as they work through complex challenges, and he is pursuing his PCC-level coaching certification through the ICF.
Samantha Graves - CFO
Samantha Graves is a University of Idaho graduate with a degree in Public Relations. She has fifteen years of experience in operations, event planning, communications and member relations.
Previous roles include Administrative Coordinator for Rubio Long Snapping and Chris Sailer Kicking. For over six years, she provided operational support for lessons, camps and National Events for thousands of high school, college and profesional atheletes. Through this role, Samantha developed strong relationships with families, fostering connection adn support beyond on-the-field activites.
She now oversees daily operations and provides comprehensive administrative, technical and member support as the Business Manager for the Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association.
Contact us
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