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.
Bailey Holloway, Director of National Programs
Bailey Holloway is passionate about removing barriers so more people can access the benefits of sport. She was a founding team member of FundPlay Foundation, where she managed partnerships for over 140 national nonprofit organizations that serve hundreds of thousands of youth per year through athletic programming, including twelve organizations providing adaptive sports. She currently serves on the Leadership Council for Laureus Sport for Good NYC. Bailey holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Oregon and completed a Sports Management program with New York University. Outside of work, she enjoys running, reading, following sports, weightlifting, rock climbing, and cooking.
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!
Annie Stauffer, Coach
Annie is from the Hartford, Connecticut area and has lived in NYC for 10 years. She graduated from Clemson University in 2017 with a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education. She spent the first half of her professional career as a special education teacher in East Harlem. Annie has coached the afternoon Fast Feet programming and their in-school programming since 2022. She completed her first half marathon in April 2026 in Jersey City & she is working towards her first NYC Marathon in 2027. In her free time, Annie enjoys running in Central Park, swimming laps, and watching One Piece with her fiancé RJ and her cat Usopp.
Carissa Cesena, Coach
Carissa Ceseña is a school-based occupational therapist in Brooklyn, NY. She received her undergraduate degree from UC San Diego and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University. Through her work as an occupational therapist, Carissa has developed a passion for helping children build confidence, develop new skills, and find joy in movement and play. Carissa enjoys creating an encouraging space where every athlete can feel successful, stay active, and most importantly, have fun! In her free time, Carissa enjoys getting lost in a good book, exploring thrift stores, and trying new bakeries around the city.
Carissa Johnson, Coach
Carissa Johnson is a musician and graphic artist based in Brooklyn, NY. In 2025, she discovered a passion for running while training for her first half marathon in Prospect Park. Fitness has long been an important part of her life, and she loves spending time outdoors whenever she can. Carissa is driven by a desire to help others and is always seeking new opportunities to grow, explore, and connect with people through her creative and active pursuits. Carissa has an Associates Degree in Fine Arts from UMass Lowell and is currently working on her Bachelors in Psychology from UMass Lowell.
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!
Desiree Diaz, Coach
My name is Desiree Diaz. When I first joined Fast Feet I served and continue to serve as a guide for one my previous students. I was granted an opportunity to serve as a coach for the Fall 2025 season and I am excited to be back for Fall 2026 season.
I hold a Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. When coaching children with special needs I am a firm believer in meeting children where they are at not where we want them to be. As a coach utilizing behavior analytic principles has allowed me to connect with my athletes individually in the way that they needed me to; to be able to acquire a variety of skills at practice that would also translate to real life experiences.
Elizabeth Contreras, Coach
Elizabeth is a Senior Head Teacher at the New York Autism Charter School, where she works with students with autism to develop greater independence and build meaningful life, social, and communication skills. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism and has several years of experience working with children and young adults with autism.
Elizabeth was introduced to Fast Feet through their school-based programming at NYCA and loved seeing how much her students enjoyed being active and participating alongside their peers. She is excited to be a part of the Fast Feet team and continue supporting athletes as they build confidence, develop new skills, and most importantly, have fun!
Faith Evans, Coach
Faith has been coaching with Fast Feet at the Fort Hamilton location since 2022. She enjoys welcoming new and returning athletes each season and seeing them progress in their own way. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Faith continues to make running part of her lifestyle. Outside of Fast Feet, she enjoys spending time with her dog and friends, traveling, and finding new things to explore and try around the city.
Fiona Macpherson, Coach and Volunteer Coordinator
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.
Kait O’Hara, Coach
Kait is a pediatric physical therapist in southeast Michigan. She has been a Fast Feet coach since the inception of the Detroit flagship team in the Fall of 2022. She has always enjoyed helping kids reach their goals and loves that she gets to be a part of such an amazing program that provides an opportunity for kids to participate in athletics however they are able. Kait grew up playing basketball and soccer. Nowadays she spends her time running around her neighborhood or around the soccer field along with traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Kaitlyn DiBello
Kaitlyn began volunteering with Fast Feet in 2022. By day, she is a fifth grade ELA and writing teacher, and she also works as a sales representative with Brooklyn Running Company and is a certified coach. A lifelong runner, she competed in high school and college before going on to run with Westchester Track Club, North Brooklyn Runners, and McKirdy Trained. She now specializes in the marathon and loves helping young athletes build confidence and reach their potential.
Lynda Brock, Coach
Lynda is an Occupational Therapist based in Brooklyn, NY. A lifelong runner since her middle school track and field days, she continues to enjoy running mindfully and participating in a variety of road races. She completed her first marathon, the 2005 Hartford Marathon, in pouring rain, finishing shoulder-to-shoulder with a close friend. More recently, she crossed the finish line of the NYC Marathon hand-in-hand with her sister. For Lynda, running is about having fun, supporting mental well-being, and staying physically healthy. She loves being part of Fast Feet because she gets to help runners achieve their personal goals while having fun together!
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.
Matt Goldweber, Coach
Matt is a nonprofit professional with fundraising and program management experience at organizations including the American Cancer Society, Make-A-Wish and the ASPCA. He currently works in fundraising for Blood Cancer United. Outside of work, Matt is an avid runner and outdoorsman who enjoys exploring new places and setting new personals bests. He holds a B.A. from SUNY Plattsburgh and is certified in First Aid/CPR/AED. Matt loves being a Fast Feet Coach where he has the opportunity to work with amazing kids and help them reach their goals!
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!
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!
Sam Sulzer, Coach
Sam has been involved with Fast Feet NYC for several years and currently serves as a Location Lead for the Bay Ridge, Park Slope, Staten Island, and Williamsburg programs. She works with young athletes across the program, helping create an encouraging and inclusive environment where kids can build confidence, develop their running skills, and have fun with the sport.
Outside of Fast Feet, Sam works in music partnerships, where she helps connect brands with independent artists. Running has become a meaningful part of her own life, and she loves being able to share that experience with the next generation of runners.
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 Marie Lowe, Coach
Sarah has volunteered with Fast Feet since 2020. By day, she's a copywriter, shaping language and messaging for tech companies, but movement is where her heart is. She's been a yoga teacher for over 17 years, with additional training in kids' yoga, Yoga for the Special Child, and trauma-informed practices for vulnerable populations. She is a huge fan of team sports and finds it to be an excellent means of connection. A Fast Feet practice is always the best part of her week. What draws her to Fast Feet is the mission and the community, and the chance to help people of all abilities build their own relationship with movement and sport, on their own terms. In addition to yoga, she enjoys running and training for random races, riding horses, and reading.