Our founders come to this work with a background in sport, social justice, education, and gender equity. They are each committing to shifting the conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of sport to one that moves beyond participation numbers. Representation matters and there is much more that can be done to create a welcoming and inclusive sports culture and environment at the individual, organization, and community level. Numbers comprise only one component in successfully shifting a culture; they are not the finish line.

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Shaunna Payne Gold, PhD
​Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold received her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration, writing an award-winning dissertation entitled "The Spiritual Development of Nonheterosexual Undergraduate Students" in 2010. Dr. Gold has 24 years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion, strategic planning, facilitation, Multicultural Organizational Development, Intergroup Dialogue, Racial Healing Circles, and project management. Dr. Gold has raced at various distances of triathlon, is a multi-time marathoner, and long-distance swimmer. Dr. Gold is also a certified Adult Learn-to-Swim Instructor and certified Masters' Swim Coach. Dr. Gold is originally from Southern Virginia, a multiple-time Ironman 70.3 finisher, and boymom to Trai (9) and Kendrick (6).

Sara Gross, PhD
Dr. Sara Gross is an Ironman triathlon champion, an academic, a writer, podcast host, storyteller and mom. After twelve years as a professional triathlete and three major international wins, Sara set her sights on making triathlon a better, safer and more fun place for women. Sara’s PhD is in women’s history and in 2017 she founded Live Feisty Media. Live Feisty produces written content, podcasts and videos with the goal of telling untold stories and offering new perspective on old stories. Sara hails from Victoria, Canada and while on the surface, her daughter Rosalee may appear bossy, she is in fact, a leader in training. 

 Lisa Ingarfield, PhD
Dr. Ingarfield received her PhD in Intercultural Communication from the University of Denver. Her research focuses on how inclusion and exclusion manifests in communication. Prior to becoming a research, evaluation, and DEI consultant, she worked for 15 years in the public sector (education and state government). Lisa is a systems thinker and is able to advise organizations looking to make meaningful change and ensure its infrastructure centers inclusion. She is originally from London, U.K. and currently resides in Colorado. Lisa races triathlon, owns Tri to Defi Coaching and Consulting, and is a certified RRCA and USAT coach. She also co-founded the Outspoken: Women in Triathlon Summit with Dr. Sara Gross and co-hosts the [un]phased podcast with Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold addressing DEI in endurance sport.

Gabriela Nuñez, PhD
Dr. Nuñez is an Associate Professor of Literature and Ethnic Studies, triathlete, entrepreneur, and mom. Gabriela currently teaches and develops courses in Latinx literature and culture with an emphasis on social justice and the environment at California State University, Fullerton. Gabriela is a proud “back of the pack” age-group triathlete. Without any athletic experience Gabriela launched into triathlon in her mid-30s, inspired by her friend Marisela Echeverria who was tragically killed in a cycling accident while training for a long-course triathlon race in 2012. Since then, Gabriela has raced regularly at the 70.3 distance and completed one 140.6 race in loving memory of her friend Mari. Struck by the lack of diversity at triathlon races, Gabriela is now focused on collaborating with athletes to create a culture of triathlon that is more accessible to everyone.