It's For The Kids!
EIN: 30-0712494

Meet our team

Shane Hanson, Founder and CEO

Shane Hanson is the Founder and CEO of Freedom Youth Foundation, formerly known as Progression Athletics International. After a life changing trip to Novi Sad, Serbia, in 2011, Shane Hanson has been dedicated to youth development through sports, and to supporting youth in the foster system.


Shane is also the President and CEO of Freedom Fiduciaries, where he successfully leverages his vast knowledge and experience to guide clients towards making informed financial decisions.


Shane graduated magna cum laude from Chaminade University of Honolulu with a BA in Communications. During his time at Chaminade, he was a team captain on the basketball team and received all-conference honors.


Shane is also a devoted husband and father to six children, two of whom were adopted through the foster system. His family is the true pride of his life. In his free time, Shane loves playing pickleball, basketball, and spending time outdoors. He believes family comes first, and is committed to maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Mary Irby, Director of Operations

As the Director of Operations for the Freedom Youth Foundation, Mary Irby helps advance the organization’s mission to empower foster, kinship, and adopted youth in Idaho. With a heart for service and strong organizational leadership, she oversees daily operations, community engagement, and program development to ensure every initiative runs smoothly and meaningfully impacts the children the Foundation serves.
 
Before joining the nonprofit sector, Mary spent many years in operational leadership at a major California utility company, where she worked to improve system reliability and operational efficiency. That experience strengthened her structured, solutions-oriented approach to building sustainable programs that benefit Idaho’s youth.
 
Since joining the Foundation, Mary has led initiatives that have expanded its reach and deepened its community impact. Known for her compassion, professionalism and collaborative spirit, she fosters meaningful partnerships and volunteer engagement while helping guide the Foundation’s evolution from a grassroots effort into a thriving organization that inspires hope and lasting change for foster youth in Idaho.
 
Outside of work, Mary enjoys sweating it out at HOTWORX, walking her dog Reagan, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering at her church.

Emily Mudge, Event Manager

Emily Mudge serves as the Event Manager for the Freedom Youth Foundation, where she leads the planning and execution of bi-monthly youth events and annual fundraising initiatives. She also manages Parker’s Closet and provides support across other areas as needed.

Emily’s dedication to foster youth began as a young adult in California, where she provided household support for two foster families in her neighborhood. The impact of those experiences stayed with her through several years in the private sector, ultimately inspiring her to join FYF.

Emily graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University with dual Bachelor’s degrees in History and Journalism. She has also since completed certifications in Strategic Foresight, Data Analytics, and Nonprofit Management.

In her free time, Emily enjoys reading, playing games, and spending time with her friends and family. When not at work, she can usually be found in a coffee shop or bookstore, or walking along the greenbelt.