45 Women Who Paved the Way for the Running Industry Diversity Coalition’s Five-Year Journey

Mar 4

Five years ago, the Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC) was just an idea, fueled by the urgent need to address systemic racism and create a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable running industry. Since its launch, everything the RIDC has done has been rooted in its mission and six core values: love of running, antiracism, power shifting, learning and self-reflection, transparency, and action.

For Women’s History Month, we celebrate our progress and the incredible women who helped lay the foundation for this organization. Some of these 45 women leaders, advisors, changemakers, and community builders stood with us from the beginning, while others joined us along the way. They all continue to help the RIDC make an impact, whether through the coalition itself or in their own work.

Their vision, dedication, and action have shaped the RIDC and what it will become. Ahead of celebrating five years of impact later this year, we honor their contributions and the collective power of their work in making the running industry—both the sport and the business—a space where everyone can participate and everyone belongs.

Special Note: This list could have expanded to 75 or 100 women, thanks to the countless advocates in brands, race events, retailers, run clubs, nonprofits, and beyond who have championed our work both publicly and behind the scenes. This honor is shared with them as well.

-Kiera Smalls, Executive Director, RIDC

With contributions from the RIDC Board and Staff

RIDC Founding Board

Where would the RIDC be without the visionary leaders who laid its foundation? These founding team members set the movement in motion, defining its mission and shaping the organization’s initial blueprint for change.
Alison Mariella Désir
Martha Garcia
Shannon Woods (current board member)
Verna NezBegay Volker
Robyn Goby

RIDC Early Advisors

**Guiding the RIDC in its early days, these advisors helped shape RIDC’s formation and community-building strategies.**
Teresa Baker
Jinghuan Liu Tervalon
Jasmine Sanchez
Dr. Laura Smith
Angie Jean-Marie
Shawna Cruise
Erin Stewart (Tsukashima)
Anna Cavnar
Alaina Fuld
Hannah Recordon (Allen)

RIDC Current Board

Where would the RIDC be without the dedicated leaders currently guiding its future? These current board members provide strategic direction, ensuring the coalition’s mission continues to make a lasting impact.
Sông Ánh Thị Nguyễn (current President)
Glendean Hamilton
Tai Neal
Kathy Dalby
Shannon Woods

RIDC Current Staff

**Steering the RIDC’s daily operations, this team leads strategy, programming, and community engagement, ensuring the mission, vision, and values remain front and center in all we do.**
Kiera Smalls (current Executive Director)
Betsy Rathwell
Abigail Hollie (Sharpless)
Camilla Winter

RIDC Research and Copy Editors

**Helping the RIDC conduct critical research and amplify untold stories, these contributors ensure that important narratives are thoughtfully explored and shared.**
Erin Flynn
Jenna Klein Jonsson
Kendra Bozarth
Dr. Samantha White
Allison Torres Burtka
Jane Morley
Elizabeth Carey

RIDC Designers

**Crafting the visual heartbeat of the RIDC, these designers transform our mission into powerful graphics, an engaging website, and dynamic social designs that inspire connection and action.**
Melissa Alam
Antoinette Minor Talley
Samantha Choy
Abigail Cook

RIDC Programming Facilitators

Helping the RIDC facilitate powerful conversations and storytelling through events, campaigns, and trainings, these contributors have played or continue to play a key role in advancing the RIDC’s mission through RIDC activities.