Joe Branch
Executive Director

Joe Branch

Joe Branch is a founding partner of UWANTGAME Ventures. An expert in sports marketing and athlete education, Joe has served in many capacities in the sports industry and academic sector throughout his professional career. He was the Associate Brand Manager for Nike Basketball East before moving on to become the Senior Manager of Global Marketing Partnerships for the NBA.

In his current role with UWG, Joe oversees the mentor program in Brooklyn. He is also the Brand Manager for GameBreakers, a UWG initiative focused on effecting pipeline development of African-American male high school student-athletes and coaches.

Recognizing his acute sports marketing and business acumen, Five-Star Basketball hired Joe as a consultant to assist in the expansion of its Basketball Performance Academy by tasking him to complete a comprehensive business plan. Soon after, Joe was named Director of Youth Leaders of Emmanuel, a church-based organization dedicated to the positive growth of young people in the community. As Director of YLE, Joe is charged with rebranding the youth ministry as well as overseeing the annual operating budget and monthly programming.

An advocate of education, Joe has taken his knowledge to the classrooms of Long Island University–Brooklyn as Adjunct Professor in Sports Business where he focuses his curriculum on branding and sports marketing.

Joe’s own academic career began at The Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas. Upon graduating from the college preparatory school, he matriculated to Northwestern University. There, he was a member of the Wildcats basketball team and an Associate Student Government Senator. He continued his studies at Rice University where he earned an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and served as President of the Black Graduate School Association.

During his spare time, Joe enjoys reading, working out, playing basketball, and golf.

Alyssa Raas
Chief of Staff

Alyssa Rass

Alyssa Raas is a Marketing Specialist for the NBA in the Global Marketing Partnerships Group. Alyssa graduated from Boston College with a BS in Marketing. While at B.C., she was a member of the women’s rugby team, for which she served as President during her junior and senior years.

Alyssa endeavors to one day serve as a high school athletic director where she can make a difference in the lives of young student-athletes. Alyssa is originally from Pottersville, NJ, and currently resides in Manhattan.

Allen and Co. 
Agency, Project Management

Perry Williams 
Community Advisor

Sam Permut 
College Intern

Jakeem Johnson 
College Intern