Beyond the Baseline: Marjorie Levin

Keeping a dynamic, remote workforce connected and aligned requires an exceptional level of oversight, and Marjorie Levin delivers exactly that as USTA Southern California’s Office Manager and Coaching Coordinator. Behind the scenes, she orchestrates the section’s day-to-day operations, balancing staff needs, meeting logistics, and event planning in seamless fashion. Simultaneously, she fuels the USTA coaching initiative by driving regional outreach and equipping SoCal’s expanding network of coaches. As the central hub of the organization, Marjorie ensures everyone stays focused on the organization’s greater mission: to grow tennis and make it accessible to players of all ages and backgrounds across the region.

Thoughtful, wise, and compassionate, Marjorie brings a warm presence to every role she takes on. With an infectious smile and a bubbly personality, she makes the challenging work of section administration look easy. On any given day, she brings a lighthearted, steady presence to demanding tasks, while infusing every project she touches with an extra layer of care and thoroughness.

Known as a natural collaborator and an empathetic listener, Marjorie possesses a maternal instinct that makes her a trusted confidante, a source of guidance, and a friend to all across the organization. Whether it’s coordinating a Board of Directors meeting or planning grassroots community outreach, she pairs attention to detail with an enduring kindness, consistently prioritizing the needs of her colleagues and the broader tennis community.

Small-Town New England Beginnings

Born and raised in Barrington, Rhode Island, Marjorie grew up in a supportive household that valued familial connection and time spent together. As the youngest of three siblings, her childhood was shaped by the dynamic of having older twins in the house.

“Barrington is a quiet, suburban town,” Marjorie noted. “I am the youngest of three kids in a family of five. I was raised with my brother, Bobby, and sister, Janie, who are fraternal twins. They are five years older than me.”

Marjorie’s family was anchored by a strong work ethic and deep community ties. Her father, Harvey, opened a prestigious men’s clothing store, Harvey Ltd., in Providence in 1950 alongside his brother. Eventually taking sole ownership, her father maintained the legendary downtown haberdashery for over 50 years. Meanwhile, her mother, Eleanor, balanced the busy household while building a successful career as a local realtor.

Tennis quickly emerged as a central pillar of Marjorie’s upbringing, passed down by her parents who were avid players locally.

“I was first introduced to tennis when I was about five or six years old. It was exciting to be on the court and work toward the goal of hitting the ball,” Marjorie stated. “I have sweet memories of playing with my dad. He continued playing until he was 90!”

As she grew older, her love for the game expanded beyond family hitting sessions and into the neighborhood surrounding her childhood home.

“Within a four-block radius of our home, there were four private courts, owned by family friends. We were welcome to play on the courts when the owners weren’t using them,” Marjorie recalled. “I’d grab a can of balls, hop on my bike and head over to the court. Whether hitting against the backboard or hitting with my best friend, there was nothing like it.”

The competitive fires burned bright among the siblings. Her sister was a certified high school firebrand, defying convention by trying out for and making the boys’ varsity tennis team. Meanwhile, her brother and his best friend, Hal Gorman, established a popular summer junior tournament, The Rhode Island Junior Intermediate Championship, transforming the household into a bustling event headquarters.

“It was a welcome summer tradition to walk into our den and find index cards and poster boards with handwritten draws strewn across the floor,” Marjorie reflected.

A Foundation in People and Public Service

Marjorie attended Barrington High School, where she excelled as a doubles player on the girls’ tennis team before heading to the University of Rhode Island. There, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. It was also during this time that Marjorie uncovered a hidden adventurous hobby, spending her college years as an active member of the university’s skydiving club where she balanced a rigorous course load with a taste for extreme sports.

“As a 17-year-old, I was very excited by the idea of participating in an all-day classroom training with an experienced instructor,” said Marjorie. “Then, our group was able to put what we’d learned into practice. It was an exhilarating experience.”

Following graduation, Marjorie returned to her beginnings to support the family business. Working side-by-side with her father for more than a decade, she immersed herself in corporate sales, merchandise buying, and the day-to-day operations of managing an upscale staple in Providence.

“I truly grew up at the store, unpacking cartons and wrapping gifts during the holidays,” Marjorie added. “The business evolved into a full-service men’s clothing store. I joined my dad for over eleven years, responsible for buying merchandise, sales, as well as the less glamorous responsibilities it took to maintain a small business.”

A Perfect Match and a New Home

Though firmly rooted in New England, Marjorie’s life took a beautiful turn in 1993 when she met her soulmate, Steve, a Boston native. After marrying in 1994, the couple relocated to Los Angeles the following year for Steve’s job, anticipating a temporary stay in Southern California. Instead, the West Coast quickly blossomed into a permanent home. They welcomed their son, Benjamin, in 1996, followed by their daughter, Rachel, in 1998.

Although they found themselves firmly rooted in SoCal, Marjorie and Steve made it a priority to maintain their East Coast ties. Every three months, the family returned home to spend quality time with both sides of their families. Their summer home in Rockport, Massachusetts, became a beloved family hub where loved ones from all over would gather each summer to visit and reconnect.

Back in California, Marjorie dedicated herself to being a stay-at-home mom during the family’s twenty-year residency in Studio City, focusing her energy on creating a supportive, warm household for her growing children. Once Benjamin and Rachel reached high school, Marjorie prepared to re-enter the professional world, around the same time the family set down deeper ties in nearby Valley Village.

Before stepping into sports management, Marjorie spent her time giving back to the community. For seven years, she worked with a private agency within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), supporting school-age children on the autism spectrum. In this role, she helped neurodiverse students access academic curricula and form vital social bonds with their peers, a formative experience that deepened her natural empathy, patience, and communication skills.

An Unexpected Path to the Section

By 2016, Marjorie felt ready for a new professional horizon. A timely phone call from USTA SoCal’s then Director of Engagement and Community Relations, Nancy Abrams, presented an unexpected doorway, a temporary receptionist position that would introduce her to the inner workings of athletic operations. At the time, USTA SoCal was headquartered on the campus of UCLA, situated right beside the tennis courts where the office remained until 2024.

“I thought it would be a fun opportunity during the summer, so I interviewed for the role and later accepted the job,” Marjorie noted. “It was exhilarating to be in an office filled with adults, buzzing with energy on a college campus. The temporary position evolved into a part-time role some years later. Eventually, I was hired as a full-time employee.”

After transitioning to a full-time capacity in 2018, she took on key responsibilities that eventually paved the way for the vital dual role she holds today, bridging internal administration with external growth. As a USTA Coaching Coordinator, she works hand-in-hand with Director of Coaching Kevin Finkelberg to expand the section’s educational footprint. She spearheads regional outreach, manages program merchandise, supports educational workshops, and coordinates the essential resources necessary for the coaching network to thrive.

At the same time, as the section’s Office Manager, Marjorie keeps the complex gears of a largely remote workplace spinning smoothly. She is the frontline voice on the general office line and manages the section’s main informational email inbox. Furthermore, she serves as the compliance backbone for the section, acts as the organizational representative for USTA SafePlay, maintains staff and Board CPR certifications, coordinates technology replenishment with TechBrains, and plans all Board of Directors meetings.

Marjorie also lends her creative touch to cross-departmental events, partnering with the Community Department to execute marquee annual traditions like the Active Senior Play Day in the Desert and the Provider Social in Orange County.

Driving Diversity and Expanding Access

Marjorie’s proudest professional achievements lie at the intersection of public service and sport. A few years into her tenure, she envisioned and launched a groundbreaking pilot initiative called Scoutreach. Created in collaboration with Scouts BSA (formerly the Boy Scouts of America), the afterschool program brought portable pop-up nets, racquets, and certified coaches directly to underserved youth.

“It was an opportunity to create a connection, teach basic tennis skills, build confidence, and provide 45 minutes of fun to a population of kids who came from socioeconomically impacted neighborhoods,” Marjorie shared.

The program was a massive success, sustaining operations through the school year and into summer camps. That blueprint evolved into a formal, two-part tennis sports badge program for regional Scouts, allowing youth to fulfill badge requirements through the sport. Today, that legacy of equity and access continues to flourish through a sustained partnership with the Boys & Girls Club.

High Praise from Leadership

Marjorie’s impact is felt deeply by executive leadership and departmental colleagues alike, who view her as a cultural glue of the organization.

“What makes Marjorie truly remarkable isn’t just her dedication or precision, it’s that she brings a genuine sense of humor to all of it.” noted Senior Director of Competition Maria Goldberg. “She has a rare gift for finding the funny in the frustrating, the silver lining in the setback, and the laugh hiding somewhere in the middle of a Monday morning. Working with her teaches you pretty quickly that being dedicated isn’t something you announce, and that thinking things through isn’t taking your time, it’s just doing it right the first time, with a little extra care baked in. On the days when nothing seems to go according to plan, she’s the one reminding you, usually with a well-timed joke and a smile, that it probably will tomorrow.”

Director of Community Tennis and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Esther Hendershott echoes those sentiments, highlighting Marjorie’s compassion.

“Marjorie is kind and thoughtful in everything she does. While working in the Community Department, her keen eye for detail helped make our setup and presentation inviting, often rearranging what I had arranged! It was all good, as she made everything look so much better! Marjorie genuinely cares about the people she works with and those she meets through our tennis events. On a personal note, while I was dealing with a bad cold, Marjorie made homemade soup and sent it to me. She also sent caring messages throughout the week when I lost my sister to cancer. That truly reflects the kind of person Marjorie is.”

Balance and Moving Forward

When she steps away from the office, Marjorie embraces a life filled with family, friends, and personal passions. She stays active through regular exercise and gardening, stimulates her mind with daily crossword puzzles, and loves exploring the Los Angeles culinary and theater scenes with her husband. She also keeps close tabs on her accomplished siblings in retirement: her sister, a former higher education professional at Boston College and Northeastern University, and her brother, a successful co-founder of the company EngageSmart.

Looking ahead, Marjorie remains intensely focused on pushing USTA SoCal forward. Even in a modern, remote environment, she views her logistical duties as a vital avenue for team unity.

“As the Office Manager for a remote office, my goal is to continue to connect with staff via the Calm app, birthday cards, phone calls, computer needs, and email solutions, keeping our virtual workforce running smoothly as if we come to work in person daily,” Marjorie explained.

As the section continues to grow and expand its regional footprint, Marjorie plays a central role in keeping the evolving team connected and running smoothly. Her work serves as the critical engine that keeps the organization moving forward, ultimately ensuring that a virtual workforce remains highly coordinated and aligned with its mission to grow the game for all.