Staff
Danny joined the staff in 2018 to continue his decade-long career in the non-profit sector, including roles at The Humane Society of the United States and Experimental Station in Chicago. At Students Run Philly Style, Danny directs fundraising efforts by cultivating individual donors, engaging the board of directors on development initiatives, stewarding corporate sponsors, and creating fundraising events. When he’s not at work you can find him tending to his plants, watching Chicago sports, or whipping up a batch of Sigel Sauce- a community centered sauce operation using hot peppers grown on his roof.
Danny Burke (he/him)
Mariana joined the staff in 2019 as after being involved with SRPS through her work engaging and training sports-based youth development coaches, practitioners, and organizations at Up2Us Sports. In her former role as Associate Director of Youth Diversion, Mari led the development, implementation, and sustainability of the MileUp program, which brings the SRPS model to youth facing delinquency charges and gives them a chance to remain outside of the traditional court system. After 3 years with MileUp, Mari stepped into the Director of Programs role where she now leads the program team, planning and implementing meaningful experiences for youth and volunteers, developing mission-driven strategies and partnerships, and managing the organization's budget. Mari is a licensed social worker and native Spanish-speaker from Argentina who has spent over a decade working in nonprofit organizations, bilingual social service agencies, and youth development programs. Mari is currently working towards her PhD in social work at the Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research and serves as a field instructor for the Sport Social Work Certificate program through the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports. Mari is a lifelong athlete and longtime rowing coach. When not at work or school, you can find her training for her next marathon, rowing on the Schuylkill, or searching for the best tacos in Philly.
Mariana Folco (she/her)
Madison joined the SRPS MileUp Team in 2021 as a Driver/Mentor. She has a Masters in Public Policy and a variety of youth development experience, including as a Camp Director, a Program Manager and an external assessor for youth program quality. Madison believes deeply in the power of community running, working on a team and the positive impact that working towards a goal with the support of strong adult relationships can have on young people. When not running with MileUp, Madison can be found performing improv comedy, reading her latest book and hanging out with her cats Comet & Pluto.
Madison Helmick (she/her)
Ieshia joined the staff in 2016 after taking a year off between jobs to drive across the country and do some international traveling. As a volunteer she ran her first of many 5K’s, Broad Street Runs, half and full marathons training alongside the students and co-leaders/mentors she now calls life-long friends. With over a decade of work experience in college access and after-school programming her role primarily focuses on volunteerism, mentor support and training. She also leads some program-wide youth leadership engagement opportunity efforts. She’s Washington, DC born and raised but ‘Temple Made’ with a BA in Urban Studies and an M.Ed. in Organizational Development. She is an adjunct professor, teaching courses on Youth Culture and Adolescent Development. She has experienced and seen first-hand how liberating and empowering running can be and is committed to helping build a world where all faces, paces, and bodies can move through it freely.
Ieshia Nelson (she/her)
C.C. joined Students Run Philly Style as a part-time Youth Advocate for the MileUp program in January of 2020 and then shortly after transitioned to the position of Associate Director of Compliance and Project Management. As of October, 2020, C.C. is taking on her newest role as the Associate Director of LGBTQ+ Programing. C.C. will oversee the implementation of SRPS’s LGBTQ Youth Behavioral Health Services state grant, and support the program’s growth. C.C. holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Bloomsburg University. She brings 15+ years of experience in college access and mentoring. A native of La Paz, Bolivia, C.C. is fluent in Spanish. When she’s not competing, C.C. can be found coaching and helping others achieve their running goals. An openly lesbian member of the LGBTQ+ community, C.C. makes time to volunteer, fundraise and advocate for various causes.
C.C. Tellez (she/her)
Samantha (she/her) joined the SRPS team in November 2023 as a Development Coordinator through AmeriCorps VISTA and Up2Us Sports. She went to school for Advertising at Temple University and has worked professionally as a Graphic Designer for the past 8 years. She volunteers as a coach for Girls on the Run and as a co-leader for November Project Philadelphia, experiences which have afforded her the opportunity to lead, influence, and welcome members of the fitness community. She is excited to support the Development team in the recruitment of new partners and gain a better understanding of the operational nuances of non-profit organizations. When she isn't working she is probably napping with her cat Mozzarella, volunteering for NP or GOTR, photography, running, or reading!
Samantha Choy (she/her)
Ken (he/him) was born and raised in Chicago. He is now settled in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia, where he has worked at raising his three children while volunteering in his community. Ken has served as Home & School Association president at his local public school and as coach for numerous children’s sports teams. Ken has been a running leader with SRPS for eight years. He has run many races of all distances, and enjoys ultra distance running best.
Ken Campbell (he/him)
Lawrence Joined the SRPS team in January 2021. Lawrence has an MBA with a concentration in Project Management and currently works in the behavioral health field as a Forensic Case Manager where he provides comprehensive case management services to individuals with severe mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities. Lawrence is very passionate about running, he currently serves as the Captain of Black Men Run Philadelphia Chapter. Lawrence started running in 2015 as a hobby and has run every distance from a 5k up to the marathon distance. Since becoming Captain of the local Black Men Run chapter, he has been responsible for organizing and participating in numerous running events while collaborating with other run clubs and community leaders in the Philadelphia region.
Lawrence Harrington (he/him)
Lauren joined the staff in 2014 after volunteering for four years with Team Granamawr. Lauren has more than a decade of nonprofit experience as a communications specialist, event planner, race director and youth development professional in Philadelphia. At Students Run Philly Style, Lauren leads the development of mission-driven strategies and partnerships, and strategy for organizational growth and financial stability. An RRCA certified coach, Lauren has completed 15 marathons and is passionate about introducing new runners to the possibilities of what you can accomplish one step at a time. When she's not building spreadsheets, you can find her exploring Philly's food scene, gardening, occasionally testing the waters of triathlon, cheering on her Duke Blue Devils, or, most likely, somewhere on the run.
Lauren Kobylarz (she/her)
Amy (she/her) joined the Students Run Philly Style staff in October 2016. As Associate Director of Institutional Giving, Amy manages private and corporate foundation funding opportunities to sustain and increase organizational capacity. Amy is the program's lead grant writer and helps to cultivate new relationships with partners to sustain and grow the program. Amy holds a Masters degree in Public Health from Temple University and brings 10+ years of experience in public health and non profit program management to her role including her work with the Health Promotion Council and the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics. When not working, Amy is often volunteering for various causes in her local NJ community, trying out new sewing projects and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Amy Lackpour (she/her)
William Patterson IV (he/him)
Christopher returned to staff as the Program Manager after completing his internship through Temple University’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program as the Program Assistant for Students Run Philly Style. He is thrilled to be back to take on the responsibilities of supporting teams taking part in the Marathon Model by managing participation in events and races throughout the year. He will serve as a point person for organizing programmatic special events and volunteer opportunities, as well as recruitment, mentoring support, and training. Prior to Students Run, Christopher has worked in youth programming for the YMCA and Lifetime Fitness. He has also worked in housekeeping management and front desk customer service in hotels and cruise ships alike. While not at work, Christopher enjoys finding hidden treasures at thrift stores, walking his puppy Blue and taking in the Philadelphia city life.
