About the Program
Diversify Ice Ambassadors are the face of Diversify Ice in their community and across the globe. They represent the spirit of opportunity, unity, and excellence both on and off the ice.
What you will need to do:
- Make at least 3 posts per month highlighting Diversify Ice — either directly about our events and mission or indirectly through skating or community activities.
- Tag @diversify_ice and use #DiversifyIceAmbassador in all skating and community-related posts.
- Be a positive role model at your rink and in your community, encouraging others to explore skating and sharing what it means to you.
- Participate in at least 15 minutes per year of volunteering through Diversify Ice Learn to Skate programs (can be completed during the annual Skate-Raiser).
- Share your accomplishments and experiences so we can highlight you on our social media and website.
- Complete the Ambassador Intake Form by emailing admin@diversifyice.org to receive the application.
What you get:
- Priority Opportunities: Ambassadors are prioritized for Diversify Ice events as spokespeople, visual representatives, or featured skaters.
- Recognition: Featured on Diversify Ice’s website, social media pages, and newsletters.
- Swag & Gear: Receive exclusive Diversify Ice gear with priority access to new items.
- Community Support: Ambassadors receive priority consideration for additional support from Diversify Ice.
- Networking: Be part of a nationwide network of Diversify Ice Ambassadors, with opportunities to meet virtually each year.
- Performance Opportunities: Participate in Diversify Ice shows, the Skate-Raiser, and Awards Gala — in person or virtually.
🏆 Champion Ambassador Tier
Ambassadors who qualify for U.S. Figure Skating Championships “Nationals” (within the past/ current year) are recognized as Champion Ambassadors.
- Champion Ambassadors are prioritized for sponsored opportunities to represent Diversify Ice at the Skate-Raiser and other major events, both nationally and internationally. Diversify Ice may provide additional travel, lodging, or equipment support for skaters in this Champion Ambassador tier, depending on DI partnerships, need, and DI funding availability.
- Champion Ambassadors are encouraged to share their story in the media, speaking about Diversify Ice and what being part of the community means to them.
- They embody the heart of Diversify Ice through leadership, sportsmanship, and the drive to inspire others through skating.
How to Apply
Find out how you can become a Diversify Ice Ambassador by sharing why you believe you’d be a great representative.
Email admin@diversifyice.org to request the Ambassador Intake Form.
If you need escalated support about the ambassador program please email: info@diversifyice.org
Meet the ambassadors
Pooja Kalyan
ambassador
My name is Pooja Kalyan and I am honored to be an ambassador for Diversify Ice. Skating has been a part of my life since I was six years old and I am currently a member of Team USA figure skating! I love figure skating for its beautiful combination of athleticism and artistry, a quality that I try to show in my own performances. Outside of figure skating, I am currently a senior in high school and I will be attending Brown University as part of their Class of 2026. I also enjoy working out, baking, and bullet journaling in my free time!
Noemie Bodenstein
ambassador
My name is Noémie Bodenstein and I’m a Swiss senior single skater. I’ve trained in several different places such as Toronto and Oberstdorf. I’m the 2019/20 Swiss National silver medalist and I’ve represented my country in multiple international competitions and Junior Grand Prix. My goal is to get to go to bigger competitions such as Europeans, Worlds, etc..
Louisa Arwin
ambassador
I am an 🇳🇴 Oslo, Norway Figure Skater and Violinist🎻 representing Diversify Ice as a global Ambassador.
Shiven Bodasing
ambassador
Diversify Ice Ambassador South Africa, Shiven Bodasing.
He is 25 years old, from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he works as an animal protection officer, and a law student. He has fallen in love with skating since the beginning of 2020. Although new to the sport, he has taken to it quite well. He has a love for the challenge skating brings him, and is passionate about encouraging people of colour to the sport. Even after breaking his arm during skating practice in September 2020, he was back soon thereafter on the ice, the place he escapes the stresses of the world.
Shiven indicated that, although his club has a good representation, there are so many ways in which the stereotypes of the sport need to be shifted and in some instances obliterated, he maintains that skating is for everyone, and he is determined to prove to people that it really doesnt matter what you look like, you can be the skater of your dreams.
“It is not up to us to mimic others but to be the most authentic person and shine in that authenticity.”
Demis Maryannakis
ambassador
Diversity for me is not necessarily focused on having more than one ethnicity in the room or on the ice, but also includes people from different backgrounds with varied life experiences. Ideally we should meet people that encourage us to expand our world view, because not everyone we meet has the same background, and we should be able to relate to people from different walks of life. That’s why I am proud to represent Diversify Ice as an ambassador, for highlight and uplifting our differences in ice skating.
3x Eastern Adult Sectional Silver Medalist
2018 U.S. Adult National Intermediate/Novice
Masters Bronze Medalist
Zuri
ambassador
Zuri fell in love with skating after a public skating session with her family when she was four years old. Now 12 years old, she competes at the Juvenile level. When she’s not on the ice, Zuri enjoys designing on Roblox Studio and TinkerCAD
Zuri’s goal this season is to compete with a clean double axel and to land my first triple jump; my ultimate goal is to make it to Nationals, Worlds, and the Olympics!
“Ice skating is an incredible sport. When you get on the ice and learn to jump and spin, it feels like you’re flying and nothing else matters. Everyone, no matter what they look like, should have the opportunity to skate and should be accepted when they do. Diversify Ice is working to make skaters of all backgrounds feel welcome and supported in ice skating. I’m happy to represent Diversify Ice as an ambassador.”
Alexa
ambassador
Alexa Gasparotto is competing at the senior level. She from Canton Michigan representing Arctic Edge FSC with Rohene Ward as her main coach.
She mentioned that once she became a Diversify Ice Ambassador it opened her eyes to see that the change in figure skating that should have happened so long ago is finally happening and I couldn’t be happier. Not only seeing a big change happen but being a part of it is something that will not be forgotten.
Nathan
Ambassador
Diversify Ice Ambassador Nathan is competing at the Junior level with Rohene Ward as his head coach.
Abigail
ambassador
DiversifyIce is important to
me because we instil hope
and confidence in young
figure skaters like me.
DiversifyIce provides me
with a platform to grow, and
as your new ambassador, I
am committed to growing
other figure skaters like me.