USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In news that will be warmly greeted by anyone who cares about the growth of our sport, the U.S. Fencing Foundation is welcoming two new trustees for 2024. 

Yana Kravtsova, a veteran corporate executive, and Dr. Justin F. Fraser and Dr. Claire E. Fraser, a dedicated couple from the medical field, join the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, each bringing a wealth of experience and a shared passion for the sport.

The Frasers join the Foundation as a Household Trusteeship, meaning they share a single seat and vote on the Board of Trustees.

Yana Kravtsova, appointed as a Trustee in March 2024, is renowned for her 25-year career spanning renewable energy, legal and regulatory affairs, global public relations, and communications. She’s currently the Chief of Operations for Sustainability and Global Governmental Affairs at GE Vernova. Her journey from the World Bank to leading roles in major U.S. and international law firms exemplifies her commitment to climate change mitigation and the transition to green energy.

Kravtsova's personal journey from the Soviet Union to the United States is a shining example of the American dream. Her passion for empowering organizations and her involvement in education and support programs for women and students of color highlights her dedication to community enrichment. 

These passions extend beyond Kravtsova’s professional life. Her volunteer work spans a number of fields, including sustainability, climate change mitigation, women empowerment and the arts. 

Her connection to fencing is personal, with two daughters actively competing in epee and representing Team USA internationally. As a new trustee, Kravtsova aspires to enrich and empower youth and women presence and success in the sport.

Dr. Justin F. Fraser and Dr. Claire E. Fraser, both physicians at the University of Kentucky, embody the spirit of giving back to the community and sport they love. They join the Board of Trustees effective March 2024. 

Justin and Claire grew up in different pockets of the U.S. — him in Delaware and her in New York — but found common ground at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, where they embarked on medical careers that ultimately led them to Lexington, Ky.

Justin, an expert in cerebrovascular, endovascular, skull base, and endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, serves as the Vice-Chair of Neurological Surgery at the University of Kentucky. He leads several national professional societies and is deeply committed to stroke research and treatment.

Claire specializes in the repair of retinal detachments and treatment of diseases of the retina. She shares her expertise as an associate professor, helping shape the future of ophthalmology through her dedication to educating residents and fellows.

The Frasers’ journey into the fencing world began through their children, leading to a deep appreciation for the sport's impact on youth development, how it builds community and how it fosters lifelong friendships. As new trustees, the Frasers aspire to broaden fencing's reach, particularly among young athletes in underserved communities.