Leaders selected to participate in the 2026 Industry Conference presented by haku and yearlong alumni and mentorship program
St. Louis, MO (Dec. 18, 2025) — Running USA is pleased to announce the 2026 LEAD Collective Class presented by Let’s Do This, a diverse and dynamic group of 10 emerging leaders who are already making powerful contributions to the running industry and the communities they serve.
These honorees will participate in immersive programming at the 2026 Industry Conference presented by haku, taking place February 1–3 at the historic Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. All LEAD Collective members will also participate in a general session moderated by Let’s Do This, Meet the 2026 LEAD Collective, on Monday of conference from 11:30 am–12:30 pm.
The LEAD (Leadership, Equity, Advocacy, Development) Collective is Running USA’s emerging-leaders initiative designed to highlight, support, and elevate rising professionals who are shaping the future of the running industry. Participants receive mentorship, professional development training, and opportunities to contribute to Running USA programs and initiatives throughout the year.
“The transformation of the Emerging Leaders Program to the LEAD Collective, thanks to the support of Let’s Do This, allows Running USA to support the underrepresented voices within our industry at conference and beyond,” said Michael Clemons, Running USA Director of Operations. “This year’s LEAD Collective class represents the passion, creativity, and purpose that define the future of the running industry. We’re thrilled to welcome them into the LEAD Collective and support their journey.”
Meet the 2026 LEAD Collective Class
Victoria Chiampas, Program and Operations Manager, For All Mothers+
Victoria Chiampas is a dynamic leader dedicated to advancing maternal equity and support in sport and workplace settings. As Program and Operations Manager at For All Mothers+, she drives initiatives that strengthen infrastructure for mothers in athletics—spanning event standardization, family support programs, grants and educational resources. Drawing from over a decade of experience in education, marketing, and social strategy, Victoria also co-founded Mom What’s Next, a platform empowering families to adventure and connect. A mother of two boys, ages 5 and 8, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to every project she leads.
Jamicka Edwards, Founder & Race Director, You Matter Foundation For Life, Inc.
Jamicka Edwards is a proud Army Veteran and the Founder of You Matter Foundation for Life, Inc., established in May 2021 to empower communities through advocacy, wellness, and service. A passionate runner of nine years and Race Director of the You Matter Juneteenth Freedom 5K Walk/Run for the past two years, she leads with purpose by combining fitness, philanthropy, and cultural celebration. A devoted mother of three sons, Jamicka continues to inspire others to move with meaning and remember that You Matter.
Matthew Green, Co-Founder/Lead Captain, District Running Collective
Matthew Green is the co-founder and lead captain of District Running Collective, a Washington, DC–based organization that merges community, wellness, and culture through running. With over a decade of experience leading teams and initiatives, he has guided DRC’s growth into one of the nation’s most influential running communities. Matthew is recognized for his ability to build inclusive spaces, develop emerging leaders, and drive partnerships that expand access to movement and connection across diverse audiences
Ricky Hughes, Founder & Executive Director, Saint Louis Run Crew
Ricky Hughes is a community builder, certified run coach, and founder of St. Louis Run Crew, a nonprofit dedicated to making movement accessible and inclusive for all. Based in St. Louis, he leads initiatives that connect people through running, wellness, and storytelling. Ricky’s work focuses on creating spaces that inspire connection, representation, and sustainable healthy living.
Freddie Irby, Founder/Executive Director, Juneteenth Marathon
Freddie Irby is the founder/Executive Director of the Juneteenth Marathon, whose mission is to formally and physically bring together the many disparate local running communities throughout the Washington, DC-Baltimore region and beyond. Founded in 2020, Juneteenth Marathon’s flagship event is the Juneteenth Half Marathon & 10K, an annual, free trail race located along the Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail in the area of Washington, DC commonly known as “East of the River” (the historically under-resourced/under-served swath of the city located east of the Anacostia River). 2025 marked the event’s 6th year; reaching registration capacity in less than two months and tallying 500 finishers across both race distances.
Kirkland Alexander Lynch, Global Chairman, Start Without a Shot
Kirkland Alexander Lynch is the Global Chairman of Start Without a Shot and CEO of the award-winning music and sound company for Fortune 500 and blue-chip brands, Barking Owl. A Harvard-trained lawyer turned creative executive, Kirkland is passionate about using the power of sound to drive social impact. Under his leadership, Start Without a Shot is pioneering the global movement to replace the sound of the starter pistol in sporting events with inclusive, trauma-informed alternatives; reimagining what the beginning of a race can sound like for everyone.
Jo Anna Mixpe Ley, Educator, Community Organizer & Co-Founder, Running Mamis
Jo Anna Mixpe Ley is a Huichol Xicana from Boyle Heights Los Angeles, California. Ley has been in education for over twenty years, and is currently with MSTMA at Roosevelt HS. Additionally, she’s a published author, founder and actress in the theatrical group Las Ramonas. Ley has been a community organizer since the age of 17, she created and coached the indigenous youth Running Group, the Soaring Eagles, and feels blessed to have run for 39 of her 40 weeks of pregnancy. She is an 18 time marathoner (with aspirations to be the first Indigenous Xikana World Major Marathoner from Boyle Heights), mother of a resilient 8th year old daughter (who is a 5k runner) and proud co-founder with Raquel Roman of Running Mamis (an intergenerational women of color running group for mothers, their children and women in Los Angeles).
Jennifer Shayne, Co-Founder & Head Coach, TeamWRK
Jennifer Shayne is the Co-Founder and a Performance Coach of TeamWRK, where she has helped shape the organization’s inclusive, community-centered approach to performance running since its inception. A certified RRCA Level 1 Coach with a background in public health and education, she has supported more than 100 athletes—primarily novice runners—through personalized training plans grounded in empowerment, accountability, and holistic wellness. Jennifer serves as a running coach for TeamHealth, a lifestyle intervention in partnership with NYU that supports Black adults living with or at risk for chronic health conditions. She is also a respected community leader who has spoken on panels celebrating women in running and led meditation and visualization practices before major marathon events. Her career in teaching, program leadership, and change management informs her mission to help individuals take control of their health and potential through movement and community.
Joe Shayne, Co-Founder & Head Coach, TeamWRK
Joe Shayne is a runner, coach, race director, and cultural connector who has built his life around the sport and community of long-distance running. He has completed 28 marathons—including the World Marathon Majors Challenge, 10 consecutive NYC Marathons, and six Boston Marathons—and leads training programs for athletes of all levels. As Co-Founder of TeamWRK and PACE Runs, Joe has helped produce more than 25 race events across New York City while creating inclusive, community-centered running experiences. He also serves as a coach and program co-creator for TeamHealth, a partnership with NYU supporting adults managing or at risk for chronic health conditions, and as head coach for The Marathon Clothing LA Marathon Training Program. Joe collaborates with major brands such as PUMA, New Balance, Under Armour, Bombas, Reebok, Strava, and The Brooklyn Circus, using running as a vehicle for culture, connection, and empowerment.
Rochelle Solomon, Co-founder, Black Unicorn Marathoners
Rochelle Solomon took to running to overcome heartache. Through running, she has found her voice thorough serving her local community. She is one of the Co-founders of the Black Unicorn Marathoners and currently serving on their board, who celebrate runners of diverse backgrounds participating in the current years Boston Marathon. She also serves younger runners as a Girls on the Run Greater Boston Board and serve on their Associate Board.
About Let’s Do This
Let’s Do This is the AI Registration Platform for endurance events, driving growth and supercharging an event organizer’s capabilities. We pride ourselves on being a true partner, supporting everything from launch strategy to event day execution, while pushing the industry forward through technical innovation. Our proprietary AI agent, Nova, is an industry first, using demographic, registration, financial, and marketing data – paired with industry benchmarks – to deliver real-time insights that help organizers drive growth.
We’re proud to be the exclusive partner to many of the world’s most iconic events organisers, including London Marathon Events, Life Time Events, Atlanta Track Club, Vacation Races, BolderBoulder, Diplo’s Run Club and many more.
Backed by more than $80 million from investors including Y Combinator, Craft Ventures, and Headline, as well as athletes like Serena Williams and Usain Bolt.
Our team is excited to bring this experience to members of the Lead Collective. Whether exploring practical applications of AI, identifying opportunities for growth, or navigating emerging industry trends, we’re here to share what we’ve learned from working with the world’s best organizers and to help fuel the next generation of innovators.
About the Industry Conference
Since its origins as a small gathering of Running USA’s founders in Southern California in 2004, the Running USA Industry Conference presented by haku is the best-attended, most esteemed gathering of running industry professionals from around the world. Moving locations each year, the conference has been held in Los Angeles, San Diego, Savannah, Houston, San Antonio, Denver, New Orleans, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Orlando, Louisville and heads to St. Louis for the 2026 event.
About Running USA
Running USA is a non-profit that serves as the leading trade organization for the running industry in North America and hosts the nation’s preeminent industry conference annually. Through education, research, best practices and data, Running USA is committed to supporting and facilitating growth, diversification and excitement in running communities everywhere. We promote networking and idea-sharing between event organizers, sponsors, vendors and athletes. Running USA is a member of a global alliance of organizations focused on the betterment of the global running community including the Running Industry Alliance and European Athletics. For more information, visit runningusa.org.