Executive Director

Jody brings a powerful blend of academic expertise, elite cycling experience, and community advocacy to her role at El Grupo. Returning to the organization after previously serving as Grupito Coordinator and Program Manager, she brings deep leadership in inclusive education and youth development. With a Ph.D. in Disability and Family Studies with an. emphasis on Human Development from the University of Arizona and a background as an Endowed Professor, Jody specializes in creating evidence-based, sustainable programming.

She has a proven track record of securing significant grant funding to build inclusive spaces for youth and is the founder of both Sonoran STOKE and the GRO girl GRO initiative.

An accomplished athlete, Jody is the 2025 OA AzGRVL Series SS Women's Champion, the first person to complete the AZ Divide Route, and holds elite coaching credentials from USA Cycling, BICP, and NINJA MTB.

Whether designing transformative curriculum or mentoring on the trail, her mission remains singular: fostering a deep sense of belonging and confidence in every individual she mentors.

Accountant

Nancy combines over two decades of financial expertise with top-tier technical credentials to deliver precise, and strategic accounting solutions.  With a passion for helping clients build stronger financial foundations, she provides the insight, systems, and guidance needed to support sustainable growth and long-term success.

Core Credentials: Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor & Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor (Payroll)

Experience: 25 Years in Accounting & Financial Management

Education: MBA in Accounting (Fraud Emphasis, Argosy University) & Bachelor of Science in Accounting (Hawaii Pacific University)

Driven by a commitment to long-term client success, Nancy helps organizational leaders gain clarity and confidence in their financial operations through reliable, audit-ready reporting, streamlined accounting processes, and strategic financial guidance. Her proactive approach and dedication to excellence makes her a trusted advisor to nonprofit organizations.

Programs Coordinator

Sam has been involved with El Grupo for over a decade. Starting as a rider in 2012, Sam raced and adventure through programming but found his passion for coaching through the annual Summer Bike Camp! During college, Sam coached the up and coming bike packing program as a volunteer. In 2021, Sam was hired as a lead coach for the Grupito C-crew, and in 2023 officially launched the Uno a Uno program, providing riders with 1:1 coaching! 

Now, as Programs Coordinator, Sam carries on the legacy of El Grupo and aims to create life-long bike-lovers who make a difference in the community.

Donations, Inventory, Fleet and Facilities Coordinator

As a native Tucsonan, and champion of all things bike related, Shayne is excited to blend his years of Health & Wellness experience with his passion for bike mechanics to better support our youth and the local community both on and off the bike.

“I remember the joy and freedom my first bike brought me… mostly because I still feel it every time I’m in the saddle, and It’s my mission to share that sentiment. If we can help light the way for kids to cultivate that same sense of energy and excitement for bikes, we all win.”

When he’s not out in his garage tinkering on a bike or out zipping around on his latest build, it’s likely that Shayne is goofing around with his dog, has his nose buried in a book, or is squirreled away in his office editing footage for his bike focussed YouTube channel—Sway Studioworks. 

Head Road Bike Coach

Cycling is my lifelong passion. Over a professional racing career spanning from the age of 13 until my retirement in 2006 at 38, I was fortunate to achieve the majority of my athletic goals. Since stepping away from competitive racing, I have dedicated my career to the cycling industry, beginning as a coach with the Tucson office of Carmichael Training Systems. In 2009, I had the opportunity to return to the road, directing professional road cycling teams through the conclusion of the 2026 racing season.

While this role involved managing all riders and logistical staff on the ground at major competitions, the true highlight of my directing career has been mentoring young development athletes.

To date, I have proudly assisted over 15 riders in graduating to Pro Continental and World Tour contracts. My leadership experience also extends to the international stage.

I served as the Canadian National Team elite men's road coach from 2011 to 2013, where I captained team selections for multiple World Championships and the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Beyond coaching and directing, I have shared my technical expertise with a broader audience as a television and online color analyst for the prestigious World Tour races in Quebec and Montreal.

Deeply committed to community impact, I also served as the Head Coach for team programming at El Grupo Youth Cycling from 2020 to 2021. I find immense joy in empowering youth through bicycles, and I am incredibly excited to return to this space and incorporate Tucson’s new, world-renowned velodrome directly into the curriculum to inspire the next generation of riders.

el Grupito Coach

El Grupito Coach

el Grupo Coach

El Grupito Coach

Hi my name is James, I'm a new coach and I've been riding bikes for 8 years. I have a lot of experience in cross country racing as well as endurance races and a bit of downhill. When I'm not riding I enjoy retro video games and working on my car.

U19 Coach and Bikepacking Coordinator

Hannah Luz Rice is a self proclaimed soul rider and all things bike enthusiast. She enjoys riding for pleasure, racing for the personal challenge, and being out in nature, on the trails, and anywhere in the saddle! As a commuter she is frequently running errands around town and enjoys riding to and from the clubhouse. A few of her long distance accomplishments include riding the Adventure Cycling Trans-America and Northern Tier routes, The AZT 300, SAUR, Pinyons & Pines Bikepacking Race and a variety of other adventures. Hannah is deeply passionate about sharing the love of cycling with youth and supporting folks to build community by bike and enjoy the ride!

Bike Club Coach

“I'm the heart of the community. I’m a passionate advocate for children and a steadfast believer in a better future for all!”

Bike Club Coordinator - Nosotros Academy and Manzo Elementary

David was introduced to bike touring in 1976 by a teacher during his freshman year in high school. That summer 14 classmates rode the California coast along the new Pacific Coast Bicentennial bike route on his sister Debbie's ten speed. Later tours took him exploring across the US and central Mexico. He’d had the fortune of working with a bike tour company for several years leading trips in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. He has been lucky to be able to commute by bike for school, work, and fun. Shannon, David's awesome wife, was a key el Grupo volunteer during the nine years of their boys' involvement with the club. David works with el Grupo's Manzo Elementary and Davis Romero Elementary bike clubs. He is starting an 'Outride' middle school bike P.E. class at Nosotros Academy this fall.

Bike Club Coach

GRO girl GRO Coach

Tucson native and former University of Arizona collegiate racer Katie Emory is a certified PMBIA skills instructor and the founder of Spokes and Saguaros.

After spending five years in Oregon building extensive guiding and coaching experience with Cogwild, Katie returned to Tucson in 2025 to launch her dream business. Today, Spokes and Saguaros delivers custom mountain bike tours, community group rides, and skills clinics across Tucson, with a growing focus on youth programs that foster confidence, safety, and joy on the trail.

Bike Club and GRO girl GRO Coach

Sylvia is a current graduate student at the University of Arizona and an avid triathlete.

Concurrent with her future career in speech-language pathology, Sylvia is passionate about directly serving diverse community members, whether it be in the clinic or on the road/trail!

Coming from Illinois, she is excited to learn more about Southern Arizona culture and mountain biking through supporting TUSD biking programs and the GRO girl GRO organization. Previously, Sylvia has worked as a youth run coach, community social work coordinator, and ESL teacher.

Manzo Bike Club Coach

Board Chair; IT Professional; Grupo Alumnus

Co-Owner, Moon Dust Apparel

Retired Public School Teacher

Community Infrastructure Manager, City of Tucson Ward 1

Youth Rider Representative

Elena Mehl-Dominguez is a sophomore at University High School. On the El Grupo Board Elena serves as the youth rider representative and advocates for youth/rider opportunities, community connections and Grupo rider input in important decisions.

At school she is actively involved in programs aimed at providing incoming high schoolers a smooth transition to high school life.

Within Grupo, Elena was introduced to the organization through the summer camp program, and continued by joining Grupito. In the three years and counting that she has been in the organization Elena has now traveled with El Grupo’s bikepacking team, all across Arizona and even New Mexico.

Through the board, Elena is passionate about furthering cycling as an opportunity for kids who would otherwise be unable to experience the joy of biking.

Floor Manager, Campfire Cycling

Community member