Board of Directors — Front Runners New York

The FRNY Board of Directors is elected by the membership annually in November for the following year. Board Members’ responsibilities include handling day-to-day club inquiries and transactions, hosting fun runs and other events, and overseeing the club’s many committees.

Kristopher Imperati (he/him)

President

Kristopher is thrilled to be serving another year as President of Front Runners New York. He is proud of all that the club has accomplished over the past year, including the successful passage of an amendment to the Club bylaws which ensures representation of our trans and nonbinary members at all levels of governance. As membership has continued to grow we have worked hard to meet their needs, and the result is greater volunteerism, more Coached workouts, a newly expanded Participation Fund, and so much more. He is looking forward to working alongside the 2024 Board to continue this work and find innovative ways to support the LGBTQ+ athletic community and our allies while maintaining our leadership in the global Front Runners community on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In his free time, he enjoys reading and cooking and is an avid supporter of live theater.

Zoe Tippl (they/she)

Vice President

Zoe joined FRNY in 2018 looking for a team to support and encourage them in their journey to become a stronger, more confident runner. From coached workouts and long runs to Saturday Fun Runs, they found a community of queer people as dedicated to the success of their teammates as they were to the sport of running. Inspired by how their fellow Frontrunners have shown up for them, Zoe is excited to give back by serving as the 2024 Vice President. They look forward to helping foster greater inclusivity, solidarity, and camaraderie across the club’s diverse membership. In addition to their passion for running, Zoe brings extensive experience as a project manager and organizer in the art world to the VP role.

Timothy Thompson (he/him)

Secretary

Tim started running in the summer of 2021 and joined Front Runners New York in January 2022. Through the club's coached programming and welcoming community, he accomplished distances and times he would never have thought possible- truly life-changing moments. Since joining, Tim has strived to volunteer and serve FRNY wherever possible. His favorite role, however, will always be celebrating and announcing the outstanding accomplishments of individual Fronties as a passionate race captain. When not running, he is an analyst in the fixed-income and asset-backed securities marketplace and enjoys making his own pasta. He is excited about what 2024 has in store for FRNY and finding ways to empower all individuals who comprise this dynamic organization!

Matt Young (he/him)

Treasurer

Matt is the Treasurer of FRNY and has been a member since 2022. He regularly participates in NYRR points races, aiming to contribute to FRNY's overall team success. In his career, Matt is a payment rotational analyst, where he has mastered five different roles. Matt is a fast learner who contributes significantly as a new team member. In 2023, he ran his first marathon in Chicago, just minutes shy of the Olympic Trials Qualifying standard. Beyond running, Matt enjoys piano, singing, skiing, live music, and musical theater. He also enjoys volunteering, recognizing its role in fostering community support. Committed to FRNY's success in 2024, he looks forward to contributions beyond managing FRNY’s finances.

Justin Norris (he/they)

Trans and Non-binary Director at Large

Justin is thrilled to join the Board of Directors at Trans & Non-Binary Director at Large! Justin moved to New York City in 2021 and quickly found a community within Frontrunners NYC. With the club's support, Justin ran their first two marathons, Los Angeles and New York City, in 2023. Justin is an active member of the Frontrunners community, often seen laughing with friends at Wednesday fun runs or sharing their talents with the community at the annual Variety Hour. Justin is committed to fostering a community for all members with Frontrunners, especially gender nonconforming members and members of color. Outside of FRNY, Justin is completing their Juris Doctorate program at Columbia Law School, graduating in May 2024, and also can be found performing as Blacc Cherry at her weekly drag show at The Duplex.

René Ugarte (he/him)

Director at Large

René Ugarte was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and has been a New Yorker since 2009. His passion for running ignited in 2020, swiftly evolving from casual race participation to becoming a passionate Front Runners New York member. His curiosity and involvement in the club led him to a role in the communications committee, where he spearheaded the design and messaging strategy last season. A participant in several marathons, he continually challenges himself and, by highlighting his teammates' success stories, strives to inspire a culture of health and fitness within the club. René has also developed an interest in various multisport events, a journey which led to him completing his first Half Ironman triathlon finish in 2023. Beyond running, René has actively contributed to key club committees such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Social, and History & Archives. Benefiting from the club's supportive culture and comprehensive coaching programs, René, Director at Large, is committed to maintaining and enhancing the welcoming and dynamic spirit of FRNY. He looks forward to communicating and helping define our cultural impact by providing a medium for our club's voice.

Erika Kaiser (she/her)

Woman’s Director at Large

Erika Kaiser joined Front Runners in January 2023. She joined after a long hiatus from running, after thinking her running days were long behind her. She finally decided that her mental and physical health should be prioritized, and running became a big part of both. In that first year, Front Runners took her from running one mile at a time to finishing a full marathon by the fall of that same year. She was so inspired by the friendships, encouragement, and spirit encountered in Front Runners that she decided to take on a board position. She’s active in the Manhattan and Brooklyn fun runs, coached workouts, long runs, women's committee, and trans and nonbinary committee. Her long-term running goal involves pursuing the World Marathon Majors Six Star Award. In her professional life, she’s a practicing board-certified emergency medicine physician. In her free time, she enjoys reading and exploring the city.