Gymnastics Foundation: Transforming Lives Through Sport

Natalia Yurchenko is the 1983 Women’s All-around World Champion, renowned for her innovative and daring gymnastics. She is also the originator of the Yurchenko vault and Yurchenko Loop. Natalia began her gymnastics journey at the age of seven, and even before she was age-eligible, she traveled as an alternate for the National Team, attending the 1978 World Cup and 1979 World Championship to be showcased to international judges. In 1982, Natalia won all meets of the season, including the USSR Cup and USSR Championship, earning her a spot to compete at the World Cup. Unfortunately, she was unable to compete in the 1984 Olympic Games due to the USSR’s boycott, but she participated in the Friendship Games, where she won the gold medal on vault along with the team gold medal. After her retirement in 1986, Natalia devoted her life to gymnastics coaching and, in 1999, moved to the United States with her husband, Igor, and daughter, Olga. In 2014, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Natalia’s passion for gymnastics, her unique style, and her philosophy have inspired many aspiring gymnasts on their path to success. Additionally, her commitment to the sport is reflected in her work with the Yurchenko Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting young gymnasts.

Daniela has extensive experience in Business Administration, Event Planning, and working with charitable organizations. She brings a deep level of passion and unique knowledge to the Yurchenko Foundation, having experienced a variety of business and management roles in sports, healthcare, and the non-profit world. Daniela and her husband relocated to Chicago 17 years ago where their daughter was born. Daniela holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois Liautaud School of Business, is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt professional, and has earned her degree in Event Planning from the New York Institute of Art and Design. Born and raised in Europe, her professional and personal journey have strongly influenced the choices she has made both in her career and her life. With a passion for helping others, she always searches for ways to give back to people in a truly impactful way, including through gymnastics coaching. In her free time, Daniela enjoys working on different home projects, horseback riding, or spending time with her family. She firmly believes in the power of sport to unite and inspire.

Matt Hanania has 16 years of experience in gymnastics coaching, a journey that began when he started competitive gymnastics in high school. At the age of 14, he began volunteering as a coach for his high school recreational program, helping to support and fund his team, and he has been coaching ever since. Over the last decade, Matt has worked with athletes of all ages and strongly believes that gymnastics not only cultivates great athletes but also fosters better individuals. His expertise has shown the young athletes he coaches that gymnastics can serve as a foundation for building character and life skills, guiding them into becoming hardworking adults. In addition to his coaching, Matt has been an independent commodity trader on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange since 2014. His trading career began while he was studying at Governors State University, where he worked as a clerk on the trading floor at the CME, focusing primarily on livestock and meat markets. He attributes his success in both trading and coaching to the discipline, hard work, and time management skills he developed through the sport of gymnastics. Furthermore, he is proud to be associated with the Yurchenko Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting young athletes in their pursuit of gymnastics excellence.