LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Gaby Hawkins was nominated by her friend, Maurisa Major.

Ms. Hawkins has been coaching for around 20 years. She has coached students of all ages, but she truly loves working with high school girls. In addition to being an expert in swimming and water polo, she has an uncanny ability to create a safe space where her athletes are able to process and experience the full range of emotions that come with being in high school.

"The athletes she coaches find success in and out of the water. In my experience, they nearly always come out of these programs as the best and truest version of themselves," said Major. "Gaby has said that part of her goal is to help her athletes learn what it means to take responsibility and be accountable for their decisions, and take those moments as opportunities to learn and grow. I cannot tell you how many athletes continue to come back after graduating to say hi and catch up. Gaby excels at creating a program culture where there is complete buy-in and ego is left at the door, and a growth mindset is key to being coachable and receiving feedback."