Tell us if we're wrong - but spouses, partners and families needed this platform
We built Simplicity because we're in your shoes
Gianna Hines
Gianna, a former collegiate basketball player at Adelphi University with a passion for blending sports and community service. She began her career in Community Relations with the New York Knicks and New York Liberty, where she developed impactful experiences connecting teams with community partners across the tri-state area. In 2015, Gianna left the corporate world to support her husband’s professional basketball career overseas, relocating to Russia. During her time abroad, her desire to create community led her to organize events for fellow expats, culminating in the launch of her own business, Gianna Lauren Events. After living in Moscow and Milan, she refined her ability to bring people together across cultures.
Now based in Sicklerville, NJ, Gianna also co-founded Simplicity with her business partner Jess, a platform empowering basketball families worldwide. Through her work, Gianna continues to foster meaningful connections and create positive change.
Global Lead & Owner of Gianna Lauren Events
10 years of living abroad supporting spouse in professional basketball in Italy, Russia, and Greece
Jess Walden
Jess is a retired student-athlete, educator and consultant. She worked 10-years years in higher education administration and instruction, then pivoted to become an emerging tech consultant managing the technical delivery of blockchain solutions. Her eclectic work experience is truly defined by the phrase, "God doesn't waste anything." After leaving her full-time tech consulting job to become a full-time mom during basketball season, she quickly realized that European basketball players and their families need a host of resources to have a seamless transition from city-to-city. Since then, she's started her own graphic design business and partnered with Gianna to bring Simplicity Basketball to life.
Jess is from Ormond Beach, FL and currently lives in Lleida, Spain with her husband, Corey Walden, and two sons, Carter and Cody.
Product and Operations Owner of Carter Ray Designs
6 years of living abroad supporting spouse in professional basketball in Serbia, Germany, Turkey and Spain
Commercial Strategy Lead
Social Media Specialist
Emily Woodard
Data Specialist
Hillary Smith-Mixon
Data Specialist
Mads is a former professional and collegiate volleyball player who has lived overseas for the last two basketball seasons. She leverages her authentic, first-hand perspectives to help Simplicity users feel seen, heard and validated through every challenge.
Emily is a former collegiate basketball player who has lived overseas for the last 7 seasons. With a background in sports management and a master's in Ed Leadership, Emily uses her personal experiences and education to provide data research and analysis for Simplicity.
Hillary is an Auburn alum with a degree in marketing and a mom of two. Her decade-long experience in management, marketing and administration help her deliver extremely detailed market research, data and analysis for all Simplicity users.
Madison Sestina
Ashli is a creative brand strategist and product development consultant. Drawing from over a decade of navigating international basketball life with her family, she brings a unique, people-first perspective to building meaningful connections and community on a global scale.
Ashli Goudelock
Simplicity's Core Team
Simplicity's Core Team
Mads is a former professional and collegiate volleyball player who has lived overseas for the last two basketball seasons. She leverages her authentic, first-hand perspectives to help Simplicity users feel seen, heard and validated through every challenge.
Social Media Specialist
Madison Sestina
Ashli is a creative brand strategist and product development consultant. Drawing from over a decade of navigating international basketball life with her family, she brings a unique, people-first perspective to building meaningful connections and community on a global scale.
Ashli Goudelock
Commercial Strategy Lead
Emily is a former collegiate basketball player who has lived overseas for the last 7 seasons. With a background in sports management and a master's in Ed Leadership, Emily uses her personal experiences and education to provide data research and analysis for Simplicity.
Data Specialist
Emily Woodard
Data Specialist
Hillary Smith-Mixon
Hillary is an Auburn alum with a degree in marketing and a mom of two. Her decade-long experience in management, marketing and administration help her deliver extremely detailed market research, data and analysis for all Simplicity users.