Executive Team
Ben Kovacs - Founder
Ben is the founder of Guardian, established in 2015, where he has been instrumental in shaping the organization's branding and long-term strategy. His involvement in Jiu-Jitsu began in 2006 at Yamasaki Academy, leading to a black belt in 2019, awarded by Dave Clahan and Eduardo Fraga of Ralph Gracie. This experience inspired him to create a non-profit focused on making Jiu-Jitsu training accessible to all.
Professionally, Ben has a background in tech, having worked at Twitter and meeting notable individuals like Joel Lunenfeld. He has also ventured into other entrepreneurial projects such as Kiyo and Octave, demonstrating his diverse skills and innovative approach. Ben currently serves as the General Manager of FloGrappling.
Calder Powers - Executive Director
At 18, Calder was struggling. He had been cut from sports teams, was failing in school, and was searching for belonging. When he discovered Jiu Jitsu, it became a lifeline, instilling discipline and confidence that carried into his academics and eventually helped him graduate from UC Berkeley.
In 2017, Calder joined Guardian as a volunteer youth coach, motivated by his own transformation and the chance to inspire others. Seeing the need for storytelling, he taught himself photography and filmmaking and became the creative voice behind much of Guardian’s content.
By 2021, alongside founder Ben Kovacs, Calder helped reimagine Guardian from a single gym in Oakland into a global movement that supports academies in building scholarship programs and social projects around the world. Today, as a black belt under Eduardo Fraga, he continues to combine his passion for Jiu Jitsu and storytelling to grow Guardian’s impact worldwide.
Joel Lunenfeld - Founder
Joel discovered his passion for boxing as a stress relief method during his tenure as CEO of a bustling advertising agency in Atlanta. With a background marked by significant achievements in the marketing industry, including a prominent role as head of brand at a major social media company, Joel's transition to combining his martial arts interest with a commitment to supporting youth in the bay area felt seamless.
His involvement with Guardian has been pivotal, both as the leading financial contributor and through leveraging his marketing and branding expertise. This dual role has accelerated Guardian's launch and positioned it for enduring success.
Tracey Lester-Smith - Board Member
Tracey Lester-Smith stands as one of the most well-respected senior female executives in combat sports.
In her pivotal role at Bellator MMA, Tracey was instrumental in transforming the organization from a startup into a billion-dollar enterprise. Under her leadership, Bellator MMA became the world's second-largest martial arts league, expanding into ten countries.
Her expertise also spans the realm of motorsports, where she was a senior executive at NASCAR. There, Tracey oversaw significant diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives, guiding the company through transformative business changes that greatly increased its value and broadened its fanbase.
An active martial artist for over 20 years, Tracey has dedicated 15 years to Muay Thai and over a decade to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). She is a relentless advocate for enhancing access to martial arts for women and children.
Eric Shpritz - Board Member
Eric discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while playing college lacrosse, quickly trading team huddles for the mats. Drawn to the accountability and focus of an individual sport, he’s carried that mindset into every part of life.A training partner (thanks Cancino) opened the door to his first role in tech, sparking a career that has now spanned nearly two decades. Eric worked his way from engineering into program management, and today serves as a Solutions Executive at ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), helping the U.S. Government harness AI to drive meaningful outcomes.
Eric joined Guardian because he believes deeply in its mission. He knows firsthand how Jiu-Jitsu builds confidence, discipline, and character, and how access to that kind of structure can change a young person’s life. He’s proud to stand with a community that delivers those values to under-resourced youth worldwide.