NCYD Leadership

With the vision that inclusive, equitable opportunity benefits all who participate, NCYD provides access to leadership experience for the youth and families it serves.

  • Youth and adults collaborate on one organizational board that guides NCYD mentoring, purpose-driven mission and training/racing programming.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    Aaron comes to cycling through a varied pathway.  He spent his formative years up until age 17 bike racing  with Kenwood Bianchi and then shifted to Cross Country and Track where he ran on three consecutive NCAA National Championship Cross Country bids with the University of St. Thomas.  Following his collegiate career he moved into marathoning and ultra-running spending most of his time at the 50 mile to 100k distances.  Following the running and climbing, a hip injury sidelined him in his mid 40s and the transition back to cycling was natural.  Aaron is currently racing road and mountain biking with his most recent results including  6th at XC Masters MTB Nationals, 9th at XCO Masters MTB Nationals and multiple podiums in road racing this past summer.  Most importantly, Aaron and his family live in Cottage Grove Minnesota, where he and his wife Jamila raise three rising cyclists.  Exploring performance is what excites Aaron most, and the act of passing on these lessons to youth with a paramount focus on safety is his passion.  Aaron currently coaches with NorthStar Development, Donkey Label as well as The Park Woodbury East Ridge (PWER) Mountain Bike Team.

  • YOUTH BOARD CHAIR, 2022-23

    Alanna is a senior in highschool and has been involved in the cycling community for 7 years. She is excited to be the Youth Board Chair this year and looks forward to continuing to build connections and further progress the organization and larger community. Cycling is an amazing sport that has a place for everyone & that is Alanna’s main focus and motivation to be a part of the board.

  • TREASURER, ADULT BOARD, 2022-23

    Amit Bhargava is a thoracic surgeon at M Health Fairview. He rode a mountain bike throughout college and medical school, before he knew he needed a fat bike in winter. Amit is the treasurer and looks forward to working with the board and the greater organization to create more opportunities for NCYD to achieve its goals.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    Andrew Hartmann is a freshman who has been in the biking community for 5 years. He joined the board to gain more exposure to the logistics of NCYD and be able to provide a service to the community. He wants to meet new people and make an impact on the board.

  • SECRETARY, YOUTH BOARD, 2022-23

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    Cate is a part of NCYD as a member of the Board of Directors. She has been on NCYD for two years and is eager to serve on the Youth Board to give back to this team, gain experience about how organizations are run, and get to know others better! When she is not biking, she enjoys cross country skiing, backpacking, and swimming. Cate is passionate about getting more kids on bikes and growing this amazing sport to its full potential.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    Chris grew up in south Minneapolis where he spent most of his free time outside playing and exploring the creek, falls, and chain of lakes.  The bicycle was the means to explore and experience freedom as a younger child.  Chris was mostly involved in track and field, and nordic skiing as a high school athlete.  Becoming a specialist in the pole vault opened the door to competing for the University of St. Thomas where he was a multiple time conference champion.  Post college, Chris has coached the pole vault at the high school level and developed multiple state champions.  He currently is the head coach for the St. Louis Park mountain bike team and has both a son and daughter in the NCYD program.  Chris also participates in the NCYD adult strength program.  Chris hopes to support NCYD by fostering connections to bring the community together by sharing the common thread of cycling.

  • ADULT BOARD CHAIR, 2022-23

    Chris comes to the NCYD Board of Directors as Board Chair. In this role, he works closely with the Executive Director to help set the vision for NCYD. He brings a background in leadership roles at a variety of creative design agencies in the Twin Cities. He is a keen observer of talents, skills, and knowledge in people, and that skill helps him get the right people in the right spots. Always curious, he seeks growth opportunities and is a catalyst for change.

    Chris is passionate about outdoor activities and athletics and is a big supporter of youth sports. He has been a volunteer NICA/MCA mountain bike coach for his sons’ teams over the last six seasons. He has seen the positive impact that time spent outside and being physically active can have on people of all ages. He believes the bike is a path to develop a strong community, forge a sense of identity, and create a purpose in all aspects of life.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    Hello! My name is Ciara Thatcher and I am in 9th grade at Washburn High School in Minneapolis. I have been mountain biking for 4 years and also enjoy nordic skiing in the winter. I’ve been on the team for 1 year and am a member of the youth board as well. I am on the youth board because it is important to me that everyone’s voices are heard and that all parts of our team are represented.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    I’m Eddie Binsfeld, a member of the National Center for Youth Development. I am fifteen years old and have been riding bikes for 11 years of my life. I am devoted to helping more people fall in love with the sport that I hold so close to my heart.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    Gina is happiest when in the woods--in running shoes, on a mountain bike, or on skis. She grew up downhill ski racing and hiking in the mountains of northern California. While in college at Montana State University, she also took up mountain biking and rock climbing, both of which she gave up during her graduate school years as she pursued running as her main outdoor sport (she won’t be sad if she never runs another marathon).  As her teenage daughters have become avid mountain bikers and Nordic skiers, Gina has followed in their tracks. In 2022 she began coaching with the 612 Mountain Bike Team, working primarily with a pod of amazing girls. Inspired by these girls, Gina is committed to working to get more girls and women on mountain bikes and retaining them in the sport. She brings to the NCYD Board a commitment to recruiting and retaining riders of all genders and from diverse backgrounds. She also hopes to use her professional grant writing skills to help the organization seek new funding opportunities to support initiatives for recruiting and supporting riders from backgrounds underrepresented in mountain biking.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

  • SECRETARY, ADULT BOARD, 2022-23

    Jamin brings to NCYD a strong background in law and corporate finance, and has served in executive leadership positions across public and private companies, helping to enhance organizational effectiveness.  He has a strong passion for all things swimming and cycling and in supporting youth sports, specifically years of volunteering with his sons’ NICA/MCA mountain biking teams and participating in local cycling events.  He believes in supporting positive youth development through mentoring and inclusive organizations.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    Finance Committee Youth Rep

  • VICE CHAIR, ADULT BOARD, 2022-23

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    With over 10 years of financial services experience, I hope to provide additional support to NCYD’s financial and operational functions. I'm also excited about helping to facilitate the organization's mission and sharing the power of outdoor recreation with ALL. You can find me on two wheels across the Twin Cities or embracing the winter months on cross-country skis. I currently reside in St. Paul with my wife, dog, and cat.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    For the last 6 years I have coached with the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (CEC) Cycling Team in the Minnesota Cycling Association. My family recently moved from our hometown in the Duluth area to greater Minneapolis/St. Paul. I have always found joy in meaningful connections with community and was eager to engage in an organization with the energy and vibe that I’ve experienced with CEC Cycling Team. As a youth development organization first, I honor how we meet kids where they are at and use the bike as a tool -- while emphasizing the importance of community to unleash their greatest potential on and off the bike. I feel fully aligned with the NCYD’s vision and very grateful to have the opportunity to support and contribute to the Organization by helping to set the conditions for success and move the mission forward.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    My name is Matthew Smith, I am 16 years old and I have been cycling my whole life, but have been mountain biking for around 4 years. Since I joined NCYD, it has strengthened my love for the bike and has taught me many life and on the bike lessons, while also giving me lifelong memories. I love being on the youth board because I can help provide similar opportunities that I have gotten to other team members and members of our community while also giving my input and experience.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    Communications Committee Youth Rep

    I am a High-school student west of the metro with a love for riding and racing bikes. I came to Bruce and NCYD because I had tried most other extra curricular activities and I needed something different. While some lasted longer than others, cycling was one of the few left that I had yet to try. In conjunction with NICA and NCYD I found that riding bikes is truly what I want to do for the rest of my life with a wonderful and supportive community.

    Today, I am Director of Communications for the Youth Board as well as a member of NCYD’s performance team. As Director of Communications, I manage all of the messaging and discourse regarding the actions and happenings of the Youth Board. Part of this role is making sure that all team members are connected and are aware of key events.

    For me, there is no other organization quite like the National Center for Youth Development. It has allowed me to expand my view of the country, my ability to manage responsibility, and as a member of the youth board since its inception, what it takes to create and maintain a non-profit organization. The opportunities I have been given over the past 5 years through the NCYD community has allowed me to become not only a better bike rider, but a better leader and companion.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    Neil Bhargava is a sophomore in highschool and has a great passion for cycling but a bigger passion for the connections he makes through cycling. He loves sitting down for an hour or two to watch his favorite show “We Bare Bears”, but would always rather be out on a shred sesh with his friends.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    I am excited to contribute to the youth board because I want to bring ideas to the table that will help out the team. I am delighted that the youth board has a goal for each member to participate and lead a community service project. I am driven, always learning, motivated, and excited to see what community service projects the youth board does this year!

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    While growing up in rural MN, cycling was nothing more than an occasional activity. While in college, Wil was a hurdler at the University of St Thomas, but unfortunately during his senior year, he ruptured his Achilles tendon. Cycling became a means of recovery and eventually a return to competition. In the years following, he has entered some of the best known races across the country (Leadville 100, Dirty Kanza/Unbound Gravel, Maah Daah Hey 100) and globe (Cape Epic, BC Bike Race). Wil seeks to bring the experience and excitement of participating in these events to NCYD, helping participants gain a life-long passion for cycling, finding their limits and pushing beyond them.

  • MEMBER AT LARGE, 2022-23

    My name is Yosmary Mejias, High Performance Coach and Motivational Speaker. I love cycling as much as I love to eat. I want to inspire and be an example of how we can achieve incredible things in our life with discipline and consistency. By being in the Board I want to encourage the Latin community to be more involved with the development of Youth in the recreational and competitive Cycling world.

  • Staff and coaches support the goals set out by the board.

  • COACH

    Aaron comes to cycling through a varied pathway.  He spent his formative years up until age 17 bike racing  with Kenwood Bianchi and then shifted to Cross Country and Track where he ran on three consecutive NCAA National Championship Cross Country bids with the University of St. Thomas.  Following his collegiate career he moved into marathoning and ultra-running spending most of his time at the 50 mile to 100k distances.  Following the running and climbing,  a hip injury sidelined him in his mid 40s and the transition back to cycling was natural.  Aaron is currently racing road and mountain biking with his most recent results including  6th at XC Masters MTB Nationals, 9th at XCO Masters MTB Nationals and multiple podiums in road racing this past summer.  Most importantly, Aaron and his family live in Cottage Grove Minnesota, where he and his wife Jamila raise three rising cyclists.  Exploring performance is what excites Aaron most, and the act of passing on these lessons to youth with a paramount focus on safety is his passion.  Aaron currently coaches with NorthStar Development, Donkey Label as well as The Park Woodbury East Ridge (PWER) Mountain Bike Team.

  • FOUNDER

    STAFF COORDINATOR & COACH

  • COACH

    Gina is happiest when in the woods--in running shoes, on a mountain bike, or on skis. She grew up downhill ski racing and hiking in the mountains of northern California. While in college at Montana State University, she also took up mountain biking and rock climbing, both of which she gave up during her graduate school years as she pursued running as her main outdoor sport (she won’t be sad if she never runs another marathon).  As her teenage daughters have become avid mountain bikers and Nordic skiers, Gina has followed in their tracks. In 2022 she began coaching with the 612 Mountain Bike Team, working primarily with a pod of amazing girls. Inspired by these girls, Gina is committed to working to get more girls and women on mountain bikes and retaining them in the sport. She brings to the NCYD Board a commitment to recruiting and retaining riders of all genders and from diverse backgrounds. She also hopes to use her professional grant writing skills to help the organization seek new funding opportunities to support initiatives for recruiting and supporting riders from backgrounds underrepresented in mountain biking.

  • COACH

  • COACH