Staff
Richard Traum, Ph.D.
President and Founder
Dick, an above the knee amputee began running in the mid-seventies. A business entrepreneur, with a successful computer applications company, Dick realized that he needed to do something about his sedentary lifestyle. He joined the West Side YMCA and found his passion. From a mile, he progressed to a five-mile race in Central Park.
Buoyed by his success, five months later, he ran his first marathon, and became the first amputee to run 26.2 miles. There was no looking back. In 1983, he founded the Achilles Track Club, currently known as Achilles International.
Dick has a BS, MBA, and Ph.D. from New York University and lives in Manhattan. He’s been married for 40+ years and has a married son and a granddaughter.
dicktraum@aol.com
212-354-0300 ext 301
Mary Bryant
Vice-President, and Founder of the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans
Mary Bryant joined Achilles in 1997 when her oldest brother, paralyzed from the neck down, became the first man to complete the NYC Marathon without the use of arms or legs. She is a ten-time marathoner herself.
Besides her work with the Freedom Team, she is responsible for the growth and development of Achilles, including finding sponsors. Mary co-authored, Success is a Team Effort, and, GO ACHILLES!. She is also an inspirational speaker, having been featured on several television programs including, NBC Nightly News and ABC’s World News Tonight.
She was the 2009 kick-off speaker of the White House’s Wellness Seminars; she served as president of the New York Tri-State Chapter of the National Speakers Association, and she is on the Advisory Board of Evelyn Lauder’s Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Just One Break. She is also a consultant to America’s Athletes with Disabilities, and has worked with WE Media for the Paralympics in Sydney, Australia.
mbryant@achillesinternational.org
212-354-0300 ext 302
Eleanor Cox
Director, New York Chapter
After ten years as Web site manager for a major New York book publisher, Ellie began building, maintaining, and marketing Web sites for not-for-profit organizations such as the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society as well as other business entities. She joined Achilles in 1996 as a volunteer guide and was inspired by the determination of Achilles athletes to run the NYC Marathon in 2000. Ellie currently directs the New York Chapter in races, workouts, and social events and acts as liaison with New York area Achilles programs. She holds a Project Management Certificate from Baruch College and is currently working on her B.S. in Media and Culture at Empire State College. When not tending to Achilles activities, she narrates the Great Gatsby Boat Tour in Port Washington, New York which she created in 2008. Ellie also teaches sailing at the Port Sailing School. She takes great pride and pleasure in working with Achilles to enable people with all kinds of disabilities to excel in mainstream athletics.
ecox@achillesinternational.org
Genna Griffith
Director of the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans
Hailing from Newington, CT, Genna graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. with a BA in musical theater. From 2003-06 Genna was part of the USO Troupe, performing over 600 shows around the world. In 2005, her troupe performed at the Achilles Hope and Possibility Race, where she was inspired by the courage and accomplishment of the athletes who participated. That fall, she completed her first NYC Marathon with her USO troupe and raised funds for the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans.
Genna’s enthusiasm and devotion as a volunteer eventually evolved into an established role in the Achilles office.
ggriffith@achillesinternational.org
212-354-0300 ext 307
Russell Koplin
Director of Volunteers
Russell Koplin is a native New Yorker who has been involved with Achilles since her childhood where she began as a volunteer. She studied theater at Northwestern University where she earned a B.S. degree in Communications.
When she is not working on her acting career (Broadway/off-Broadway Theater, TV, and voice-overs for television and radio commercials), Russell helps with volunteer opportunities, guide matching for the NYC Marathon, website development, and an assortment of other responsibilities.
rkoplin@achillesinternational.org
212-354-0300 ext 306
Karen Lewis
Director of Achilles Kids
Karen founded the Achilles Kids program in 1995. As its director, she had a large role in designing it and she created the training materials and virtual marathon maps that are some of the key components.
Karen has worked closely with the NYC Dept of Education to establish programs in schools throughout New York City. She has also been instrumental in creating programs in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Roanoke, Virginia; Providence, Rhode Island; and San Diego, California.
As an athlete with a disability, Karen has completed four marathons using crutches and one in a handcycle. Her own experience as an athlete with a disability, coupled with her love for children, has been a great asset in the creation and growth of Achilles Kids.
kids@achillesinternational.org
212-354-0300 ext 305
Megan Lombardo
Director of Development
Megan Wynne Lombardo is responsible for raising funds to support Achilles’ range of programs. Prior to Achilles, she was a program coordinator at The America Assembly, a nonpartisan public policy forum affiliated with Columbia University.
Megan is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia where she ran track and cross country. An avid runner, Megan’s fondest athletic memory is completing the ING NYC Marathon with fellow Achilles staff member Karen Lewis in 2008. She is proud to be part of an organization that brings athletic opportunities to athletes with different abilities.
mlombardo@achillesinternational.org
212-354-0300 ext 304
Janet Patton
Director of Communications
Janet Patton joined the Achilles International team as a part-time staff member in August 2007. She graduated from American University in Washington DC, with degrees in Public Communications and Music Theatre. Janet has a background in teaching young children, and is the passionate leader of the Achilles Kids weekend program. She also assists with the Marathon Tour, and manages the Guaranteed Entry programs for the New York City and Chicago Marathons. She is thrilled to be a part of the Achilles family and is inspired daily by the strength of the Achilles Athletes and their courageous families.
jpatton@achillesinternational.org
212-354-0300 ext 308
Gerle Shagdar
International Chapter Administrator, Accounting
Gerle Shagdar originally from Mongolia, joined Achilles as a volunteer to help two visually impaired Mongolian runners in 2001. From 2001-07, she was a volunteer helping the international chapters, particularly those in Eastern Europe, Chechnya, and Mongolia. Today, her main responsibilities include Achilles finances, NYC marathon registration, and runners’ accommodations. Gerle loves seeing how her work at Achilles directly helps people make their dreams come true.
gshagdar@achillesinternational.org
212-354-0300 ext 309
Barret Swatek
Director of Media Relations & Chapter Development
Barret joined Achilles part time as their Director of Media Relations in March 2010. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona. She splits her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she works in the Entertainment Industry. She also has begun helping Achilles with their Local Chapter start-ups.
bswatek@achillesinternational.org
212-354-0300 ext 311
Joe Traum
Director of Office Operations and Wheelchair Logistics
Joe has been working at Achilles International for 9 years. Joe is the Director of Office Operations and the Achilles Handcycle Program. It includes purchasing and maintenance of handcycles for all Achilles divisions. He also runs the Achilles Kayakers division that in 2008 saw six members compete in their first Mayors Cup Kayak Marathon.
jtraum@achillesinternational.org
212-354-0300 ext 300