Our Team

Rob Simmelkjaer became Chief Executive Officer of NYRR in December 2022.

Rob is a runner and two-time New York City Marathon finisher, a native New Yorker, an experienced sports business executive, and a government official, with a record of leadership and performance across a range of sports and media organizations.

During his nine-year tenure at ESPN, the world’s most successful sports media organization, Rob served in positions of increasing responsibility and impact as Vice President of International Development, Vice President and Assistant to the President, and Director of NBA Programming. In 2011, he was named Senior Vice President of NBC Sports Ventures, where he led new business development and created and oversaw a number of NBC Sports properties.

In addition to his executive roles, Rob has served as an on-air contributor for ABC News, ESPN, NBC Sports, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, and the Tennis Channel. He anchored MSNBC’s coverage of the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. Most recently, he founded Persona Media Inc., a social media platform and video production service.

In 2020, Rob was appointed by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont to serve in a volunteer role as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Lottery. The NAACP named him one of Connecticut’s “100 Most Influential” African-Americans in 2021.

Rob is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. He practiced law in New York City at Weil, Gotshal and Manges and Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Rob has two daughters named Julia and Annika and two Whoodles named Mookie and Frankie, all of whom keep him very busy.

Christine Burke became NYRR’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Runner Products in July 2019; her previous role was Vice President of Runner Products and Services. In her role, Christine is responsible for sponsorship, licensing, business development, digital products, runner training, runner services, charity partners, international tour operators, and professional athletes. She joined NYRR in January 2015 as the Director of Runner Products and Services. 

Christine has an extensive professional background in retail and luxury marketing, specializing in retail marketing, digital marketing, and ecommerce. Previously she worked for two years as the Vice President and General Retail Manager at Hastens Beds, and for nine years with L’Occitane en Provence, most recently as the Vice President of Global Digital Marketing and Ecommerce. She graduated from Williams College with a BA in political science and has an MBA from Fordham University.

A lifelong athlete, Christine played softball and ran cross country in college. She ran her first marathon at the 1993 New York City Marathon, which she finished with both her parents, who inspired her to run from an early age. She has completed 25 marathons, one Ironman triathlon, and dozens of NYRR races since the early 1990s. Christine lives in Manhattan with her husband and three children—twin boys and daughter—all of whom are quickly approaching the day when they will run faster than their mother.

Jeff Carnevale joined NYRR in late 2014 as the Vice President of Information Technology; in July 2019 he was promoted to Senior Vice President, IT and Information Officer. He leads IT operations, system, and software development. He leads the IT team in modernizing the IT infrastructure, continuing to build and expand our mobile applications, and fostering technology innovation.

Previously, Jeff held the position of Vice President, Corporate Technology at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, where he oversaw technology including IT Infrastructure, software development, system administration, ERP, HRMS, digital asset management, business intelligence, and CRM systems. In addition, he was responsible for IT budget, staffing, disaster recovery, business continuity, strategic planning, IT SOX, and audit compliance.

Jeff has also held technology positions at The Ladders, where he oversaw software development, CRM, and marketing automation systems, and at Northrop Grumman/Amherst Systems, where he worked on systems development and support. He brings extensive experience developing, implementing, and managing technology systems.

Jeff is a seasoned IT leader with strong strategic focus and technical knowledge. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and resides in Westchester County.

Jeanmarie Cooney joined NYRR in March 2020. She leads the Finance and Strategy, Analytics, and Operations Planning teams focused on driving strategic planning and organization wide initiative management, enhancing the finance and accounting operations, expanding financial and data analytics and driving the procurement process. Additionally, she has oversight responsibility for the IT function. Jeanmarie and her teams look to identify opportunities to help support NYRR’s growth of its programs and events and maximize the impact on its communities through strategic resource investment, innovative revenue generation, and expense optimization. In partnership with the executive team, Jeanmarie ensures there is internal alignment of NYRR strategy, organization priorities and financial performance and appropriate liquidity levels and effective communication with the Board of Directors, NYRR staff, and NYRR external constituents.

Jeanmarie has over 30 years of senior-level experience in finance and operations. She spent nine years at Wyndham Worldwide, first as Senior Vice President of Global Financial Planning & Analysis where she was instrumental in leading the overall successful financial management of the company for 20 consecutive quarters. In 2015 she was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, and she served in this capacity for three years. She was a key executive and partner with the business and was charged with leading financial reporting, strategic planning, budgeting & forecasting, audit, acquisition, risk management, IT, and shared services. After playing a critical role in splitting Wyndham into two publicly traded companies, she decided to leave Wyndham to spend time with her family. She recently was the principal of JM Consulting and Coaching Services where she advised companies on financial and operational growth.

Jeanmarie began her career at Ernst & Young and held many senior-level positions with blue-chip corporations including PepsiCo and Cendant. She is a graduate of Iona College with a BBA in accounting and earned her CPA. She resides in Stony Point, NY with her two children, and while she is not a marathon runner, she has been a lifelong supporter of physical fitness and is a really fast walker.

Erica Edwards-O'Neal is a strategic diversity, equity, and social responsibility professional and lawyer. Bringing more than 25 years’ experience, she is a business executive who has provided guidance, counsel, and training across the country on topics including cultural competence, implicit bias, microaggressions, inclusive leadership, inclusive human resource practices, and EEO compliance. Additionally, she is an experienced EEO officer skilled in conducting investigations, resolution of employee relations matters, HR laws, and industry best practices.

In late 2020, Erica joined NYRR and spearheads the organization’s culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy across all business units and levels of the organization. She is leading the policies and practices to embed equity and belonging principles in the organizational DNA. 

Previously, she held the position of Senior Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Social Responsibility for the New York City Economic Development Corporation. In that role, she oversaw the development of policies and programs to attract, retain, and foster a diverse and inclusive workforce. Erica has a long-standing commitment to diversity and public service. Her other professional experiences of diversity leadership include serving as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Senior Career Counselor at Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, the Director of Legislative Advocacy Coalition at the Health & Welfare Council, and the Community Development Liaison at AmeriCorps VISTA.

Erica received her BA in Government from the College of William & Mary and her JD from Touro Law Center.

She is a member of the Amistad Long Island Black Bar Association, the Society of Human Resources Management, the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, and the National Bar Association.  Erica previously served on the NYC Bar Association’s Committee on Recruitment and Retention and the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Fred Schaufeld Scholarship Foundation and has also served on the advisory boards of several organizations, including Girls Inc. of Long Island and Dowling College GEARUP College Preparatory Program. 

Crystal Howard joined NYRR in September 2023 as its Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. In leading this newly formed department, Crystal oversees the organization’s Media & PR, Government Relations, and Community Engagement teams. 

Crystal is a distinguished executive and senior advisor who has led strategic communications for globally recognized companies during her 26-year career, including at ESPN and New Cap Era, and for future NFL Hall of Famer Marshawn Lynch and his “Beast Mode” brand. In her most recent role as Assistant Commissioner, Communications, and a senior advisor for NYC Parks, serving during the Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams administrations, she collaborated at the highest levels of New York City government. In her role there, she addressed critical issues that have impacted the city’s nearly nine million residents and hundreds of millions of visitors.

A native New Englander, Crystal is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of Journalism and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She is a proud walker who has clocked 22 miles in one day’s jaunt.

Ted Metellus became NYRR’s Senior Vice President of Events and Race Director of the TCS New York City Marathon in May 2022. In February 2021, he became the Race Director of the TCS New York City Marathon. Ted leads NYRR's event management and logistics, experiential events, youth events teams, event safety and security, and oversees warehouse operations. 

Ted has more than 20 years of experience in public, marketing, charity event production and the endurance sports industry. He has worked with industry leaders such as Pallotta TeamsWorks, NYRR, Eventage, the Miami Marathon, the Philadelphia Triathlon, Lifetime Triathlons, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, and IRONMAN, to name a few. Ted's love of creating an enjoyable and safe guest experience translates to every aspect of his work at NYRR.

Ted was the 2016 National Center for Spectator Sport Safety and Security (NCS4) Professional of the Year; the award is given annually to an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership in addressing safety/security issues.

Samira Shah is the Senior Vice President, Legal, General Counsel & Assistant Secretary at New York Road Runners. Samira joined NYRR after serving as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Prior to that, Samira was the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Moda Operandi, Inc. Samira has over 20 years of experience advising organizations in a variety of industries on legal issues including corporate governance, business organization, intellectual property, privacy, compliance, regulatory issues, contracts, employment, and litigation. Samira spent the majority of her career as a general commercial litigator at the law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. Earlier in her career, Samira worked at the law firms of O’Melveny & Myers LLP and Lankler Siffert & Wohl LLP and had clerked for the Honorable William H. Walls, United States District Court Judge in the District of New Jersey.

Samira graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and an MA in Middle Eastern Studies. She then studied in Syria as a Fulbright scholar before earning her JD from Columbia University School of Law, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, the Executive Editor of the Columbia Human Rights Law Review, and a Submissions Editor for the Columbia Journal of Gender and Law.

Samira is a lifelong runner and cross-trains as a rock -climber and cyclist. Samira lives in Brooklyn with her husband, two daughters, and their dog. She trained for her first New York City Marathon while pregnant with her older daughter who now runs circles around her, running track in college.

Rodnell Workman joined New York Road Runners as the Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications in October 2022. In this role, he is tasked with leading the team that brings the NYRR voice and message to life. The Marketing & Communications team drives impact and engagement for the organization’s wide range of runner and youth participants through the lens of inclusion. Rodnell is passionately committed to further elevating this iconic brand, engaging its diverse community, championing the benefits of running, and driving innovation in storytelling.

Prior to joining NYRR, Rodnell held numerous senior executive leadership roles spanning both sports and health, including serving as the first Chief Marketing Officer for the New York Racing Association as well as the same role with Health Monitor Network, a Point of Care patient education content provider. Most recently, Rodnell served as AVP, Marketing Communications for Healthfirst, the largest not-for-profit health insurance provider in New York City.

Rodnell has also held leadership roles with Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (Vice President, Team Marketing), the New York Cosmos soccer franchise (Vice President, Sponsorship Sales), the Madison Square Garden Company (Vice President, Partnership Strategy), the New York Football Giants (Senior Marketing Manager) and the National Football League (Assistant Manager – Marketing). All organizations represent iconic brands that hold a prominent position within the sports and entertainment industry.

Rodnell is a distinguished alumnus of the Pennsylvania State University, a member of the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity (as well as various marketing trade associations), and a recipient of numerous marketing trade and community awards.

Rodnell has been a member of New York University’s adjunct faculty (2006-2009), Penn State’s FASTstart minority mentoring program, PSU’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communication Alumni Board of Directors (2008-2014), and the AliveAndKickn Lynch Syndrome Awareness Board of Directors (2021-present).

Rodnell was first introduced to the joys of running as a sprinter for Kellenberg Memorial High School (Uniondale, NY). Track has remained one of his favorite sports, both personally and competitively. The Queens, NY native has been a resident of Central New Jersey for over 25 years and is the proud father of two active sons, Dashiel and Darius.

Matthew Forys joined NYRR in June 2013. He leads the Strategy, Planning, and Analytics team, which works collaboratively across the organization to support strategy formulation, growth plan execution, and project implementation. The team provides the organization with in-depth analytical support in evaluating existing operations and new business opportunities. Furthermore, Matthew and his team help lead and advise cross-functional project teams in executing the action items and special projects that have been designed to help NYRR continue to reach its strategic objectives.

Matthew has over 15 years of experience in project management, business operations, organizational strategy, data analytics, and risk management. Prior to holding the position of Vice President at NYRR, he served as Head of Event Business Operations on the Event Development and Production team. Before joining NYRR, Matthew held the position of Risk & Quantitative Associate at BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, for over five years.

Matthew graduated from Bucknell University with a BS in mathematics and a minor in environmental studies. At Bucknell, Matthew captained the cross country, indoor track and outdoor track teams and was a two-time NCAA Division 1 national qualifier. Post-collegiately, Matthew continued his running career by qualifying for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon and represented Team USA at two international cross country events.

German Martinez has worked on behalf of NYRR’s youth events and community programing for 22 years. Throughout his time at the organization, he has worked with great leaders and role models that taught him the importance of integrity and dedication, and he applies that to his everyday life. German has led many exciting events and projects through the years, including the Rising New York Road Runners fall and spring Youth Jamborees Presented by TCS, the Summer Speed Series, the Times Square Kids Run at the United Airlines NYC Half, and the Boardwalk Kids Run at the RBC Brooklyn Half, among others. All these NYRR initiatives, along with his ongoing education, have given him the tools necessary to become the Vice President of Community Impact in April 2024. Through the years, German has earned two master’s degrees in Sports (Management and Coaching) and many youth sports certifications which make him an expert in his field.

Maria Note joined New York Road Runners in May 2012 as Vice President of Human Resources; her responsibilities have grown to include overseeing Office Operations. Maria brings 20 years of experience in human resource management of dynamic, emerging companies. She leads our human resources team in ensuring that NYRR is an inspiring place to work, and her own enthusiasm for the position makes that attitude an infectious one. She plays an important role in helping the company achieve its strategic imperatives and live its core values.

Before arriving at NYRR, Maria spent 10 years at Sakonnet Technology, an energy-trading software firm with offices in New York City, London, Rio de Janeiro, and Beijing. As the head of global human resources, she was instrumental in the firm’s growth as it became a thriving organization, using her hands-on, collaborative approach to implement processes and programs aligned with the company’s goals and its employees’ needs.

Prior to Sakonnet, Maria managed a division of Concorde, a New York employment services firm focused on the placement of banking, finance, and accounting professionals.

She has in-depth knowledge of New York state, local, and federal employment laws, immigration processes, and human resource practices and is an active member of the Society of Human Resource Management and the Human Resources Association of New York.

Born and raised in Brooklyn (and a big fan of the Brooklyn Half), Maria earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Pace University and completed her Masters in Human Resource Management at New York University, receiving the Human Resources Industry Excellence Award among her peers. She currently resides in New Jersey with her sports-loving family and is an active swimmer.

Tom Therkildsen became NYRR’s Vice President, Events and Technical Director of the TCS New York City Marathon in October 2022. Tom leads the events department, overseeing the event production, experiential events, youth events, timing and scoring, and warehouse operations teams. In addition, Tom oversees the technical planning and execution of the TCS New York City Marathon.

Tom joined NYRR in 2011 and is proud to have served in a variety of roles within the company during his tenure, most recently as Head of Event Production his current position. With more than 14 years of experience in the industry, Tom’s career has included roles at Madison Square Garden, USA Triathlon, and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Originally from Rochester, NY, Tom graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.S. in sport management and a minor in economics. He has a lifelong passion for sports and is a four-time marathoner. He resides in Brooklyn with his family and spends his free time trying to keep up with his fast-growing son.