Our Team

Sharon Madison
Executive Director

Sharon Madison brings passion and vision to We Ride 4. A former champion cyclist with two gold medals from the 2013 Maccabi Games and the title of 2014 Colorado Road Race State Champion, Sharon knows what it takes to achieve ambitious goals. After building a thriving cycling community within another nonprofit, Sharon faced the setback of its closure during the pandemic. Determined, she turned this challenge into an opportunity, founding We Ride 4 in 2020.

Under her leadership, We Ride 4 has become a community dedicated to camaraderie and giving back, supporting kids' wellness and outdoor activities through cycling. Sharon’s commitment ensures We Ride 4 not only connects riders but also makes a lasting impact on young lives.

John Genell
Director of Operations

Along with Sharon Madison, John co-founded We Ride 4 and plays a key role in shaping its long-term strategic initiatives. A senior executive with over 35 years of business experience, he previously spent 11 years as the market sales leader for Grant Thornton in the Desert and Mountain States Region. He also has over a decade of Management Consulting experience, advising Fortune 100 executives on business and technology solutions.

John holds a B.S. in Accounting from Villanova University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

In the summer, he designs routes for our 3-day Colorado events. In winter, you'll find him in Tucson, leading road and gravel rides while growing the We Ride 4 Tucson chapter— or scouting out the best taco stands in town.

His favorite We Ride 4 mantra? "Just come and be part of it, however it works for you!”

Melissa Baumann
Cycling Club Operations

Melissa has been passionate about cycling since getting her first 10-speed at 12 years old—and she’s never looked back. She rides road, mountain, gravel, and fat bikes, always seeking new adventures on two wheels. She even once rode a tandem bike with a visually impaired group, combining her love for cycling with her commitment to giving back.

She joined We Ride 4 in 2022 after just one ride, drawn in by the camaraderie and excitement she felt that day—an energy that still fuels every ride. Passionate about both cycling and philanthropy, she loves being part of a group that brings people together for a greater purpose.

An integral part of getting her husband, Mark, back into cycling, she’s proud to say he now enjoys it even more than she does! When she’s not on the bike, she’s embracing all things Colorado—skiing (nordic, alpine, and backcountry), hiking, running, and paddleboarding. In 2023, she summited Kilimanjaro, and in her one-and-done triathlon season, she not only competed but won two races! No matter the adventure, she’s always up for a challenge.

Liz Birthright
Director of Community and Partnership Development

Liz is a lifelong cyclist and triathlete who brings positive energy and a heart for service to everything she does. Cycling has been her favorite form of freedom since childhood, and later became her primary mode of transportation as a young adult in Atlanta. She was a longtime bike commuter in Denver and has raced triathlons for over 25 years—always chasing the joy of being on two wheels.

She’s spent years igniting and supporting athletic communities and currently serves as President of the Rocky Mountain Triathlon Club. Liz is also a mentor with Denver Public Schools, a coach, volunteer, and leader dedicated to helping others thrive. Professionally, she’s led teams, driven major projects, and built strong partnerships across multiple industries through her expertise in leadership, communications, project management, training, budgeting, and organizational development.

Her passion for service and love of cycling led her to join We Ride 4 in June 2026. Liz knows the organization is about far more than bikes—it’s about connection, purpose, and making a real impact. She’s excited to help advance its mission and use cycling as a powerful force for good.

Britt Chester

Britt Chester, born in 1985 in Boston, Massachusetts, grew up in Banner Elk, North Carolina, where he developed a passion for mountain biking, snowboarding, and skateboarding. At 18, he relocated to Atlanta, and later on to Denver, Colorado, to study journalism and PR. His media career began in 2009 as a reporter for Denver Westworld, with his work featured in Village Voice, LA Weekly, and GQ. In 2013, he became the editor of YES! Weekly in North Carolina before moving to the real estate industry in 2015 as a reporter and video and podcast producer.

In 2023, Britt co-founded Send It, a mountain bike gear and accessories company, with his longtime friend Cole Kramer. Britt aims to empower outdoor athletes of all ages with the best gear and strongest community. He resides in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, spending weekends swimming, biking, hiking, or working on yard projects. He also thinks potatoes are the #1 superfood.

Nate Eisma

Nate Eisma hails from Prior Lake, Minnesota, where he spent his formative years. He ventured to Colorado for higher education, earning a finance degree from Colorado State University. Post-graduation, Nate made Denver his home and has been a resident there to this day. Currently, Nate provides valuation services within a public accounting firm.

From his earliest days, Nate has been passionate about cycling, having competed on the cross-country mountain biking team during his high school years. Nate has since said farewell to the competitive side of riding, and now enjoys riding for fun! Since calling Colorado home, he's explored many of the amazing trails across the front range and high country.

Nate's journey with We Ride 4 began when a colleague introduced him to John Genell. He was inspired by the organization's commitment to getting kids outdoors and pursuing a healthy lifestyle. He's excited to help bring the mission to more people in the community and wants to make sure everyone has the chance to experience the joy of riding a bike!

Andrew Phillips

Andrew’s love of bicycles began in Priest River, Idaho where he terrorized his neighbors on his 10 spd Huffy. He eventually moved to Utah, enrolled at Weber State University and married an Ogden local. He then crossed the Rockies to Boulder where he graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law and started his career as an attorney.

Needing a way to clear his head from work-related stress, he began commuting on his bike and rediscovered his love of two wheels. In the 17 years since, he’s logged over 60,000 miles on Strava, won many personal injury cases in trail, and has settled many more outside of court. His passion for cycling and helping others has driven him to focus his legal practice almost exclusively on representing cyclists who have been injured by others while riding their bikes.

When he’s not working, you can find Andrew at home in Golden, CO with his wife, four kids, and their dog, Ezra (see that cutie below). He seeks out adventure and memorable experiences in as many ways as he can, whether it be summiting high peaks, skiing deep powder, or cycling epic routes. He is a member of the bar in Utah and Colorado and, if necessary, co-counsels with other attorneys to represent clients outside of those states.

Andrew is excited to be a valuable resource within the mountain west cycling community.

Amy Dunkelman

Amy Dunkelman has been passionate about fitness for most of her life and discovered cycling just two years ago through a We Ride 4 ride. Since then, she’s been inspired by the incredible athletes and the supportive spirit of this community.

Amy is deeply drawn to We Ride 4’s mission to support children’s causes and create more opportunities for kids to get outside, stay active, and connect to the natural world.

She brings a strong background in education and entrepreneurship. Amy earned a bachelor’s degree in Special Education in Connecticut and taught children with special needs in both public and private school settings. She later owned and operated multiple Sylvan Learning Centers in the Northeast and Colorado.

In addition, Amy has owned and operated successful real estate and equine management and training businesses for more than 15 years, with experience in sales, marketing, financial oversight, and team leadership.

Outside of work, Amy enjoys cycling, spending time with horses, training three to five days per week, and cooking and baking — earning her the affectionate title of “Pie Lady” within the We Ride 4 community.

Amy is honored to serve on the We Ride 4 Board of Directors and looks forward to supporting the organization’s mission and continued growth.