LKTBF Strengthens Global Leadership with Two New Captains
The Let's Keep The Ball Flying (LKTBF) movement is reaching new heights with the expansion of its global leadership team. As the organisation continues to unite the world through volleyball, two dynamic new captains are stepping up to lead key pillars of our mission. Ron Zwerver will take charge of the Connection pillar, while Natalia Lleras will head the Impact pillar—bringing expertise, vision, and passion to drive LKTBF’s mission forward.
The Pillars of LKTBF
At LKTBF, we believe in creating long-lasting change by structuring our work around four fundamental pillars:
Community – Building and nurturing a global volleyball family.
Impact – Creating meaningful, sustainable change through volleyball.
Inspiration – Sharing stories that move and motivate people to take action.
Connections – Developing strategic partnerships, events, and fundraising initiatives to sustain our work.
With the addition of Ron Zwerver and Natalia Lleras, our team is now complete, with Neele Rave leading the Community pillar and Jitka Lopez heading the Inspiration pillar. This fully formed captaincy team embodies LKTBF’s mission to empower communities worldwide through the power of volleyball.
Ron Zwerver: Leading the Charge in Connections
A legend in the volleyball world, Ron Zwerver is no stranger to excellence. As an Olympic gold medallist and one of the best volleyball players the Netherlands has ever produced, Ron brings not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the sport’s power to connect people across borders.
In his new role as Captain of the Connection Pillar, Ron will lead Partnerships, Events, and Fundraising, ensuring that LKTBF continues to thrive through strong collaborations with brands, sponsors, and key stakeholders. His experience in high-performance volleyball, combined with his strong network and leadership abilities, makes him the perfect fit to strengthen LKTBF’s global outreach.
"Volleyball has given me so much throughout my life, and now it's time to give back in a bigger way. With LKTBF, we have the chance to create something truly impactful—bringing people together and opening doors for communities worldwide." – Ron Zwerver
Natalia Lleras: Driving Sustainable Impact
LKTBF’s Impact Pillar now has a visionary leader in Natalia Lleras. Natalia is an expert in sustainable, safe, active, and gender-responsive environments, with years of experience leading international programmes that promote healthy, thriving cities.
Her expertise in policy development, safe street design, active mobility solutions, and participatory planning has made her a leader in global urban transformation.
Natalia first connected with LKTBF during the 2022 Volleyball World Championships in the Netherlands, and in 2024, our team met her again in Colombia while visiting the VoleyPaz project in Cali.
Recognising the shared vision for sustainable volleyball initiatives, both parties decided to join forces, making Natalia the ideal candidate to lead the Impact Pillar. With her leadership, LKTBF will expand its social and environmental initiatives, ensuring volleyball is a tool for lasting change.
"Volleyball is more than just a sport—it’s a vehicle for transformation. By integrating sustainable practices into LKTBF’s global projects, we can create safer, more inclusive environments where communities thrive." – Natalia Lleras
A Global Leadership Team Ready to Make History
With Ron, Natalia, Neele, and Jitka now leading the four pillars of LKTBF, the organisation is stronger than ever. Each captain brings expertise, vision, and commitment, ensuring that every community, every initiative, and every connection contributes to LKTBF’s mission of uniting the world through volleyball.
"LKTBF is growing stronger with leaders who not only believe in our mission but have the expertise to elevate our impact. With Ron, Natalia, Neele, and Jitka leading the way, we are set to make a difference on a global scale." – Lesley de Jonge, Executive Director, LKTBF
This is more than just an expansion—it’s a step towards a brighter, more connected future for volleyball communities worldwide. Stay tuned for what’s next, because the best is yet to come!
