THE WS4WW TEAM
Carlos Poysky: Founder
carlos@ws4ww.org
Army Veteran Carlos Poysky served in the 1st Ranger Battalion as an Airborne Ranger before receiving an honorable discharge and continuing a career in public service. Carlos witnessed firsthand the lasting effects of military service on his fellow veterans, especially the self-isolation that can come after leaving the uniform behind.
The idea for Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors (WS4WW) was born from that understanding. After a fellow Ranger created a similar nonprofit that helped veterans reconnect and open up, Carlos was inspired to do the same, centered around his passion for kiteboarding. He saw how the sport’s one-on-one coaching naturally builds trust, communication, and connection — exactly what many combat veterans struggle to find in civilian life. Kiteboarding became more than a sport; it became a bridge between the military and the world beyond it.
What began as Carlos teaching veterans individually has now grown into multiple retreats across several East Coast chapters, helping countless wounded warriors find healing, camaraderie, and renewed purpose through wind and water. Carlos remains steadfast in his belief that growth should never come at the cost of connection. His mission is to ensure that every retreat remains personal and impactful — a place where every veteran feels seen, supported, and empowered to carry those experiences, relationships, and new skills far beyond the retreats.
For Carlos, WS4WW isn’t about numbers. It’s about cultivating an experience that brings combat veterans out of isolation, fostering connections with those around them and providing an outlet to open up and share experiences.
Jessica Antia: CEO
jessica@ws4ww.org
Army Combat Veteran, Jessica Antia’s journey with Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors began as a beneficiary at a Saint Simons retreat, where she first stepped onto a sailboat and into a community that would last a lifetime. What started as an opportunity to learn something new quickly became a source of peace and purpose. The rhythm of the wind and waves and the laughter shared among strangers who understood one another all reminded her that healing doesn’t always happen in a clinic. Sometimes, it happens in motion, carried by trust, courage, and connection.
The experience left a lasting mark. Moved by how deeply the program impacted her, Jessica returned, this time not as a participant, but as a volunteer. Since then, she’s become a driving force within WS4WW, helping to bridge connections between veterans, advocating for the therapeutic benefits of wind and water sports, and ensuring that every retreat provides the same sense of belonging she once felt.
Jessica’s dedication runs deep. Whether she’s mentoring new participants, organizing logistics, or supporting the team behind the scenes, she brings passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the mission. Her journey from beneficiary to volunteer reflects the very heart of Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors — veterans lifting one another up, finding healing through shared experience, and carrying that sense of camaraderie far beyond the water.
Phil Legere: COO
phil@ws4ww.org
Phil first fell in love with wind and water sports as a windsurfer. After moving to St. Simons Island, Georgia, in 2014, that passion deepened through the St. Simons Surf Sailors Club, where he learned to sail a Hobie Cat 16—a pastime that soon became a family tradition and a meaningful way to connect with his coastal community.
Through the Surf Sailors, Phil was introduced to Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors (WS4WW) and began volunteering at local retreats in 2022. The mission immediately resonated—not just through his love of wind sports, but through his deep family ties to military service. His father served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, his son in the Army, his brother as a Marine, and his nephew in the Navy. Honoring that legacy, Phil felt called to give back to those who’ve served.
In 2025, Phil became COO of WS4WW, bringing a natural drive to organize, improve, and help the organization flourish. He’s dedicated to creating systems that make each retreat seamless and every veteran’s experience safe, meaningful, and empowering.
For Phil, serving veterans through WS4WW is more than a role—it’s a heartfelt tribute to his family’s service and a way to help others rediscover freedom, confidence, and connection through the power of wind and water.
Nichoel James: Marketing & Media Relations Director
nichoel@houseofjamesus.com
Nichoel combines her creative expertise, passion for people, and love for kiteboarding to further the mission of healing through wind and water. She began volunteering with WS4WW in 2024, first leading the implementation of a successful fundraiser to help raise capital and awareness for the nonprofit.
From there, she became more involved in the retreats—helping with logistics, veteran support, and capturing the magic of each program through content creation. As a kiteboarder herself, Nichoel understands firsthand how therapeutic and empowering the sport can be. She loves sharing that same sense of freedom and stoke with the veterans who take part in WS4WW programs.
Through compelling storytelling and community-driven marketing, Nichoel helps bring the organization’s mission to life, building connections, amplifying impact, and showcasing the resilience and joy found in every session on the water.
Scott Hyland: Charleston Chapter President
scott@ws4ww.org
Scott first learned about Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors when founder Carlos Poysky and volunteer Patrick Fetter stopped into his store and shared their mission to help veterans heal through wind and water sports. With his father having served in the military, Scott had always held a deep respect for those who serve. The mission instantly resonated with him and he felt compelled to get involved. He began volunteering at the Charleston retreats, lending his time, energy, and expertise to help the chapter grow.
Today, as the Charleston Chapter President, Scott leads annual retreats that bring veterans together on the water to learn kiteboarding, e-foiling, and wakesurfing. For him, these aren’t just sports, they’re tools for transformation. He believes that when veterans step onto a board and feel the pull of the wind or the rhythm of the waves, they’re not just learning a new skill; they’re challenging their bodies, quieting their minds, and rediscovering balance in every sense of the word.
Scott remains dedicated to expanding WS4WW’s reach while ensuring that every experience stays true to its purpose — creating meaningful opportunities for veterans to heal, connect, and find peace through the power of wind and water.
Julie Shaw: Florida Chapter President
julie@ws4ww.org
Julie’s journey with Wind Sports for Wounded Warriors began with her deep love for kiting and an even deeper respect for those who serve. After discovering the organization at an early retreat in the Florida Keys, she was instantly drawn to its mission. With her father’s 20+ years in the Navy, supporting veterans has always been close to her heart.
Giving back is simply who Julie is. Actively involved in local nonprofits and community initiatives, she’s always ready to lend her time and energy to meaningful causes.
After meeting Founder Carlos and expressing her desire to help, Julie learned of a veteran hoping to become a kiteboard instructor but lacking funds for training and travel. She immediately took action, rallying local businesses to make it happen. That one act of generosity sparked something bigger.
Driven by her dedication, Julie and her Gulf Coast team organized their first retreat—securing housing, instructors, beneficiaries, and funding to bring it all to life. Her vision grew from there, expanding partnerships, adding more sports, and creating unforgettable experiences for every veteran involved.
Now serving as Chapter President of the Gulf Coast, Julie continues to lead with heart, determination, and an unwavering commitment to the veteran community—helping more veterans each year discover not just a new sport, but a lasting sense of connection and belonging.
WS4WW Sponsors & Partners
