Nnenna Lynch made history as the first Black woman to chair the New York Road Runners Board of Directors. She also became the first Black person to hold this position in nearly 60 years. However, Lynch focuses more on her work than on symbolic firsts.
“It’s great to celebrate and acknowledge these firsts, but mostly I concentrate on trying to lead with clarity of purpose,” she explains. The former elite runner has served on the NYRR board since 2014. Her leadership has dramatically expanded community running programs across New York City and New Jersey.
Community Programs Reach Nearly 120,000 People Annually
Lynch has championed initiatives that make running accessible to everyone. Open Run now operates at 16 sites across NYC and New Jersey. The program brought nearly 17,000 people into running last year alone.
NYRR Striders serves older adults with free walking and fitness programs. Over 1,100 seniors stayed active through this initiative. The Rising New York Road Runners youth program now reaches 100,000 kids across the city.
Making Running Inclusive for All Ages and Fitness Levels
Lynch prioritized expanding community programs from her first day on the board. “We know that running has the power to transform lives and communities,” she states. Her philosophy centers on removing barriers that prevent people from running.
“Core to our philosophy and approach is the belief that running should be inclusive and accessible,” Lynch emphasizes. The programs target people who might not otherwise see themselves as runners. Age and fitness level should never determine who gets to participate.
From Elite Athlete to Community Leader
Lynch brings unique credentials to her leadership role. She started running at age 10 and became a professional middle-distance runner. The Villanova graduate earned five NCAA titles and won the 1993 NCAA Woman of the Year award.
Her Rhodes Scholar degree from Oxford demonstrates academic excellence. She built a career including stints at Goldman Sachs and as a senior advisor in Mayor Bloomberg’s administration. Lynch now runs Xylem Projects, her mission-driven real estate firm.
Running Lessons Apply to Leadership and Life
Lynch credits running with teaching her crucial life skills. “Running taught me how to persevere through discomfort—not just physical pain, but uncertainty and doubt,” she reflects. The mindset carried her through every professional chapter.
She compares running to therapy for how it shapes perspective. Setting ambitious goals, understanding non-linear progress, and viewing disappointments as data points all translate beyond the track. “The sport teaches you that you can’t fake preparation,” she notes.
Success Requires Community, Not Just Individual Effort
Lynch challenges the notion that running is purely individual. “Every runner’s journey is supported by a network of coaches, therapists, teammates, mentors, family, and friends,” she explains. This understanding shapes her leadership approach.
“I lead with that same belief: that success is collective and symbiotic,” she says. The collaborative spirit defines how NYRR operates under her guidance. Community support makes achievement possible at every level.
Addressing Lack of Black Representation in Road Running
Track and field celebrates Black sprinters, but road running tells a different story. “Track and field has a long, rich history of black superstar sprinters, but that’s been less so in road running,” Lynch observes. She wants to change this narrative permanently.
Her goal is making every child see themselves as runners from an early age. Speed shouldn’t determine who belongs in running. “Our hope is that every child sees themselves as a runner—not because they’re fast, but because they feel running is accessible,” she emphasizes.
Intentional Outreach Centers Underrepresented Communities
NYRR partners with run clubs like Harlem Run that prioritize inclusion. The organization also launched East 89th St Productions, an in-house content studio. Their first project, “Final Finishers,” follows four back-of-the-pack runners.
These runners overcome incredible odds just to reach the start line. The content deliberately showcases diverse experiences within running. Lynch ensures messaging and outreach intentionally center people often excluded from running narratives.
Building on NYRR’s Historic Commitment to Inclusion
Lynch highlights the organization’s inclusive foundation throughout its history. Ted Corbitt, NYRR’s founding president, was the first Black American to run the marathon in the Olympics. He earned the title “father of long-distance running.”
NYRR welcomed kids and families in the early 1960s. By 1972, they produced the Mini, the first women-only race. Today, women lead at every organizational level, including over half the C-Suite positions.
Vision for Every NYC Child to Have Running Opportunities
Lynch wants New York City recognized as the global leader for running, health, and fitness. NYRR currently serves 100,000 kids across the city. However, over 800,000 students attend NYC public schools.
Only about 20 percent of public schools have a track team. “My vision would be to see every child in New York City have the opportunity to run,” Lynch declares. Achieving this goal requires bold thinking and serious philanthropic support.
Leading with Mission and Connection in Any Space
Lynch offers straightforward advice for Black women leading in unwelcoming spaces. “I think impact and influence come down to two things: mission and connection,” she states. Clear purpose matters more than who else occupies the room.
“If you have a clear purpose and do the work to listen, understand and be responsive to your colleagues, you’ll be in good stead,” she advises. This approach has guided her success across multiple industries and organizations.
Running as Medicine for Hearts, Minds, and Souls
Lynch believes running offers unique potential during challenging times. “In a time of immense sociopolitical unrest, not to mention public health crises, running is the singular activity that has the potential to tend to our hearts, minds and souls at scale,” she declares.
“There is no other sport that has the potential to make that sort of impact,” she adds. Her background as an elite athlete, real estate professional, and public policy advisor informs this perspective. After nearly 60 years, NYRR has a leader who truly understands running’s transformative power.
