BERKELEY, Calif. - The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) has named Kristine Urrutia as its Vice President of Development and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. By identifying diversity, equity and inclusion as one of only four priority investment areas in our strategic plan NICA reaffirms its commitment and creates a direct line of responsibility for these very important issues.
In this new role, Kristine will continue to lead NICA’s development efforts and lead NICA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and strategies. Before her role at NICA National, she was a core staff member of the NICA North Carolina League during its emergent years and is a NICA coach and Mom of three NICA student-athletes. With more than 20 years in global, community and foundation development Kristine is looking forward to ensuring that NICA is a culturally relevant, diverse and inclusive organization, free of barriers, where everyone is valued.
Recently Kristine has been working with Diversity and Inclusion Expert Risha Grant and her team on behalf of NICA to develop strategies to develop and increase a comprehensive DEI strategy for the organization.
“I am honored and excited to implement and scale DEI initiatives globally across NICA through collaboration with our Board of Directors, League Directors and Senior National Staff,” states Kristine. “At NICA, we recognize the value of participation in NICA for all student-athletes, coaches, and families, free from discrimination based on race, religion, or gender identity. Our responsibility is to adhere to our core value of inclusivity, demonstrating our belief that everyone should participate in our programs and feel welcomed, respected, and supported. This position allows us to focus and further all our DEI efforts.”
“As NICA continues to grow and expand its services to our community of student-athletes and coaches, it is important that we ensure our programs are welcoming and inclusive to everyone. With Kristine’s added responsibility and leadership of our DEI efforts, we will dedicate more time and resources toward creating a diverse and inclusive cycling community that is accessible to all.” states NICA President, Steve Matous.
About the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA)
The National Interscholastic Cycling Association’s (NICA) mission is to build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling. NICA recognizes the value of participation in NICA League events for all student-athletes, free from discrimination based on race, religion, or gender identity. Our core value of inclusivity demonstrates our belief that everyone should be able to participate in our programs and feel welcomed, respected, and supported.
Founded in 2009 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, NICA develops interscholastic and community-based cycling programs for student-athletes and coaches across the United States. NICA provides leadership services and governance for local leagues to deliver quality mountain bike activities and events. NICA has served almost 64,000 student-athletes since 2009. Currently, NICA has 29 state and regional leagues and 12,000+ registered volunteer coaches who are working annually with over 22,500 student-athletes from 960 high school and middle school teams in the USA.
NICA exists by virtue of generous sponsors, donors, and partners. For more information on NICA visit www.nationalmtb.org, follow @nationalMTB on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, or call (510) 524-5464.
