Suzie Clinchy, Founder & Executive Director
Suzie Clinchy is the Founder and Executive Director of Fast Feet NYC. Suzie launched Fast Feet NYC in 2018, taking a leap of faith to follow her passion for working with adaptive athletes, equality in athletics, physical wellness, and inclusion in sports. She is an educator, runner, USATF and Special Olympics running coach. During her tenure with the NYC Teaching Fellows, she obtained a Master of Science degree in Adolescent Education while teaching math in public schools. Suzie was a high school All-American track runner, competed as a D1 athlete in cross country and track for Wake Forest University, and now competes as a local elite runner in NYC. She was featured in November 2018's Just Do It campaign with Nike NYC!
Samantha Laserson, Director of Development & Communications
Samantha Laserson is a career educator committed to learning initiatives centered on diversity, equity and inclusion. In addition to teaching English in Brooklyn for the past nine years, Samantha is also a lifelong writer with a background in public relations in marketing. Samantha first met Fast Feet founder and Executive Director Suzie Clinchy while coaching a middle school running club together in 2015. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English: Language, Literature & Criticism from Hunter College and a Master’s of Arts in Teaching (English Grades 7-12). In her free time, Samantha loves running, pilates, surfing and preparing healthy meals.
Danielle Encizo, Director of Programs
Danielle Encizo has been a special education teacher for over 13 years in New York State. She has worked with a wide range of students from ages birth to 6th grade focusing on the development of students as a whole. She is passionate about providing an opportunity for all to participate and share the experiences of physical activity while developing individuals both physically and mentally. Danielle is an avid runner who competes in all distance races from the mile to the marathon. She first became a volunteer for Fast Feet in 2019. In 2022, she started and coached the first section of Fast Feet in Albany, NY. In her free time, Danielle enjoys running, playing softball, going to the beach and doing outdoor adventures.
Tom Cleary, Chief Financial Officer
Tom Cleary has extensive experience in both the non-profit and private sectors. He previously served as a Board Director and Treasurer of Fast Feet and currently serves as the Board President of the Brooklyn Autism Center. Tom has worked for several Brooklyn based companies since moving to the city in 2010. He also manages a family foundation focused on helping charitable organizations across New York City and Charleston, South Carolina. He is an honors graduate of Lehigh University with degrees in International Relations and Economics.
AJ Nguyen, Coach
Hailing from Boston, AJ is a dynamic educator and former professional football player committed to fostering inclusive learning environments. She has served as the head track and field coach for Special Olympics Massachusetts, highlighting her dedication to inclusivity and supporting individuals of all abilities. From integrating mindfulness practices to infusing her curriculum and team dynamics with infectious energy, AJ ensures everyone feels their best. In addition to her work in traditional educational settings, AJ is deeply involved in supporting refugee youth in New York City. She plays a crucial role in preparing newly arrived refugee youth to succeed at their grade level in the public school system. Her dedication to inclusivity extends to this population, ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Alex Guzman, Coach
Alexander Guzman was born and raised in NY. He is a husband and father of two beautiful daughters. Growing up as an athlete, he was dedicated to many sports: track & field, football, amateur boxing, wrestling and many more. He currently Manages / Pace and Coach for the Dyckman Run Club. He is currently an Ambassador for Brooks Running, SPIbelt and Root’s nutrition and hydration. His field of work is Emergency Medicine, located in one of NY busiest ER’s. Alex has completed six full marathons, one ultra marathon and is currently training for two marathons for 2024. He truly loves everything Fast Feet symbolizes; inspiring youth has always been one of his dreams. He feels that Fast Feet has an amazing team that can make a change for the future.
Amy Fine, Coach
Amy Fine received her Masters in Special Education at SUNY Plattsburgh, where she volunteered in an adapted sports programs and a social group for individuals with developmental delays. After graduating, Amy taught English at a high school in Thailand where she joined a local running team and participated in running events in Northern Thailand. When returning to the U.S. she taught special education and was very happy to find Fast Feet! Amy has been coaching with Fast Feet since the summer of 2021. Amy is currently working as a Transitions Coordinator at a therapeutic day school in NYC. She is very grateful to be a part of the Fast Feet community!
Aundrea Dykema, Coach
Aundrea Dykema is a Special Education teacher in Brooklyn, NY. She received her undergraduate degree in Child Development and Family Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she also ran cross country and track. After graduating, she moved to and began teaching, while earning her masters degree in Special Education from Hunter College. Aundrea continued her running career through several half marathons and completed the NYC Marathon in 2017. Fast Feet NYC holds a special place in her heart because it combines her love of fitness and working with kids!
Avery Maillet, Coach
Avery Maillet is a Master of Social Work student at the College of Staten Island. Before graduate school, she was a lead instructor at NYC Autism Charter School. Avery was an All-American sprinter and long jumper in undergrad and has transitioned to longer distances since graduating. In 2022, she ran the New York City Half Marathon for Fast Feet. Avery loves working with Fast Feet and looks forward to getting on track with the athletes each week.
Cheyanne Sebolt, Coach
Cheyanne Sebolt is a Lead Instructor at the New York Center For Autism Charter School (NYCA) in East Harlem. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Communication Science at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Following her graduation, she completed a year of service with the Americorps program, City Year, in Cleveland. After completion of her service, she moved to New Haven, Connecticut for two years to participate in a Fellowship in Autism Clinical Research and Community Wellness at the Yale Child Study Center. Through this experience, Cheyanne realized how much she wanted to teach, which led her to NYC. Cheyanne was exposed to Fast Feet at NYCA, where her students participated in their school-based programming, and fell in love with the way Fast Feet gets their members active by having fun!
Fiona Macpherson, Coach
Fiona Macpherson is from the UK and moved to New York in May 2019. She has been running for as long as she can remember but really picked up through the pandemic and the NY running community has really helped her make New York her home in the last 4 1/2 years. With just one marathon under her belt when she moved here, she is now looking to complete marathons 8, 9 and 10 in 2024. And has caught the ultra relay bug as a runner and crew at both TSP ATA, TSP LALV and SB400. Volunteering has always been important to Fiona, something she started doing in the UK in 2014 with various charities and groups. She has been volunteering and coaching with Fast Feet since fall season 2022
Fran DeJong, Coach
Fran DeJong is a Special Education teacher in Astoria, Queens. She received her undergraduate degree in American Studies from Fordham University. She then went on to earn her Master's Degree at New York University in Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education. After graduating she taught in the Bronx and later in Astoria. She earned her certification in Special Education from St. Joseph's University. Fran's love of running began in college when she ran her first 5K. She completed the NYC Marathon in 2010. Fran feels fortunate to have the opportunity to coach with Fast Feet as it combines her love of fitness and kids. She loves to see the students challenge themselves and support their teammates.
Jean-Paul Fontana, Coach
Jean-Paul Fontana is a D75 Paraprofessional for the DOE in The Bronx N.Y. Coach J.P is currently attending Bronx community college finishing a degree in Kinesiology and exercise science looking to become an adaptive physical education teacher in the near future. J.P’s love for running, especially marathons, has set him on a mission to spread the love of running to everyone. J.P’s passion and dedication to working with the young athletes of all walks of life especially children with neurodisability.
Jodi Skriloff, Coach
Jodi Skriloff is an avid fitness and wellness lover. She has an extensive fitness background having experience in coaching distance runners, running summer camp fitness programs, teaching pilates, and personal training. She has also run six marathons, numerous half marathons and other distance races. She lives in Westchester and has been with Fast Feet since 2021.
Kassahun Kabiso, Coach
Kassahun was named the NYRR Runner of the Decade for 2000-2009, having finished in the top 20 of the NYC Marathon five years in a row! Kassahun has won seven marathons in North America during his career, including the Vancouver International Marathon twice. He holds an incredible marathon PR of 2:13:59. Kassahun has coached with the Westchester Track Club Summer Scholastic Running Camp for the past 12 years.
Million Wolde, Coach
Million Wolde won the gold medal in the 5,000m during the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Million, who began running at age 17, also received a silver medal in the 2001 World Championships in the 5,000m and placed fourth in the World Cross Country Championships in 1999. Million has years of experience coaching youth runners, including Holy Child High School, the Masters School, and Saint Thomas Academy.
Rebecca Deamer, Coach
Rebecca Deamer owns a small business as a hair and makeup artist specializing in weddings, events, commercials and private clients. She graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Communications from Old Dominion University in 2004. In 2007, she moved to NYC to pursue her passion of becoming a hair stylist. She grew up as an athlete participating in softball, cross country and volleyball. She continues to play softball in a few co-ed leagues in Brooklyn and will run the NYC Marathon this year. In the summer of 2021, she was introduced to Fast Feet. She's truly passionate about the program and loves to cheer on all the participants to help them become stronger and more confident as athletes!
Patti Robbins, Coach
Patti Robbins is a retired occupational therapist/hospital administrator with more than 45 years of experience delivering services to both adults and children in a variety of settings. She has graduate degrees from Columbia University in hospital administration and business and an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy from Tufts University. She is a lifelong athlete and continues to play tennis and swim often. Fast Feet provides her with an opportunity to work with children and their families in their pursuit of appropriate recreational activities.
Rick Rosenbluth, Coach
Rick Rosenbluth is a Long Island University Doctorate of Physical Therapy student who hopes to become a Pediatric PT. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2013, earning a Jewish Studies and Family, Youth, and Community Sciences degree. After graduating, Rick had a career in Jewish Non-Profits until he changed his career in 2021. He has worked at 92nd St. Y, Camp Lee Mar in the Poconos, as the PE coach at Allied Achievement and has been a coach with Fast Feet for almost two years. Rick's passion for running started in high school and has led him to run four marathons, including the New York City Marathon, in 2022. Rick loves coaching at Fast Feet because of the confidence it builds in all the athletes!
Samantha Siderowitz, Coach
Samantha Siderowitz is a Special Education teacher at Port Richmond High School in Staten Island, NY. She earned her undergraduate degree in History and Education at Wagner College. She also earned two masters in Higher Education and Secondary Education at Wagner College and recently completed a degree in Leadership in Education at the College of Staten Island. Samantha is also the Port Richmond Girls Cross Country and Track coach. She participates in 5K’s on Staten Island and is currently training for two half marathons this year. She hopes to complete the NYC Marathon in 2025. Samantha holds Fast Feet NYC dear to her heart because she loves working with kids and seeing the joy running brings to our participants.
Sarah-Jane Knoblich, Coach
Sarah-Jane, graduated from New York University where she completed her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She has experience working with infants and toddlers in a private practice specializing in DIR floortime, as well as working with children/adults ages 5-21 with autism spectrum disorder in a school setting. Sarah-Jane has a brother with Autism which inspired her to enter the field of Speech Language Pathology. Sarah-Jane is excited to be joining the fastfeet family where she has been volunteering for years. In her free time she enjoys singing, traveling, yoga and being involved with her community.