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NABI STAFF

Our Staff

GinaMarie Garcia Scarpa

President

GinaMarie Scarpa Bio chevron_right

President &  CEO

GinaMarie has dedicated her life to working with non-profit youth organizations; remembering the positive influences these organizations had in her life while growing up in the inner-city of Boston.

While working for Federal Express and attending college, GinaMarie’s non-profit career started as a volunteer for numerous Phoenix based youth organizations, which included the A.C. Green Foundation, founded by L.A. Laker A.C. Green. Predicated on her dedication and hard work as a volunteer, she was eventually hired as the Assistant Program Coordinator, ultimately working her way up as the Foundation’s Executive Director.

After almost 9 years with the A.C. Green, GinaMarie would embark on a new opportunity and passion by co-founding the NABI (Native American Basketball Invitational) Foundation in 2003, alongside Mark West, Vice President of Player Programs of the Phoenix Suns; and the late Scott Podleski of the Arizona Rattlers. The mission of NABI is to use basketball as a tool to create college scholarship opportunities for Native American High School athletes through the implementation of programs that serve Native American youth.

In 2007, GinaMarie was directly responsible for encouraging the NCAA to change the NCAA legislation and governing rules to allow Native American athletes the opportunity to compete in NCAA certified tournaments as sovereign nations. Accordingly, this led to the exemption of tribal tournaments adhering to the NCAA same state rule – opening the door for many talented Native-athletes to be scouted by Division 1 & 2 colleges – setting historical precedence by becoming the first all Native American tournament certified by the NCAA. By 2010, Gina would fulfill her passion of establishing the NABI Foundation as a not-for-profit Organization.

As President & Co-founder of NABI GinaMarie is directly responsible for tournament development & growth, sponsorship development, partnerships, marketing, and NABI Nation brand development.

In addition to her work with NABI, Gina served as a board member on the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs for 5 years. During this time, she developed and established the Chasing the Suns 5K & Pow Wow and the Phoenix 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.

In 2015, GinaMarie discovered through a DNA test she is 24% Native American (maternal), bringing her connection, passion and love for Native Country – the youth and communities she is dedicated to serving – full circle. GinaMarie currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband Ralph Marchetta, two sons Vincent and Alexander, and grandson Antonio.

LRLewis LLC/Tournament Management

Tournament Management

Lynette Lewis Bio chevron_right

Director of Basketball Operations & Program Development

Lynette’s inception with the NABI Foundation began in the Summer of 2011 as a volunteer. Since then, she has devoted her attention and time to the Foundation and continues to support the organization’s efforts of sustainability and growth. 

Lynette is Navajo and grew up in the border town of Farmington, NM. She graduated from Piedra Vista High School and continued her education at Arizona State University where she would earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

With a background in basketball and other sports, Lynette has developed a love for the organization and values the commitment it provides for Native youth. Lynette’s goal is to continue to be an advocate of the NABI Foundation by upholding the Foundation’s mission of serving native youth on and off the court.

In 2023 Lynette embarked on a new journey and established LRLewis LLC with the focus of managing basketball tournaments and camps. She will also be releasing her first documentary titled Kirtland Dynasty in 2024, which she produced and directed.

Pictured from left to right: Lynette Lewis and GinaMarie Scarpa take a moment to congratulate recent awardees at the 2021 NABI Tournament.