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Team
Meet the Catalyst Team!
Founder
Executive Director
Eric is a graduate from the University of Georgia with a degree in Recreation Therapy. Following graduation, he moved to Park City, Utah and worked 3 years for the National Ability Center. There he taught people with disabilities how to ski, snowboard, canoe, climb, horseback, cross-country snow ski, cycle, and water-ski. Eric has received his clinical experience working for the VA hospital in Augusta, Georgia, the Shepherd Center and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Through the years Eric has become a Water Safety Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Professional Ski Instructor of America (adaptive), and an American Mountain Guide Association instructor. In his free time, he enjoys spending time mountain biking, sailing, skiing, climbing, kayaking and any other way to play on God’s giant playground.
Email: EricG@CatalystSports.org
Bike Shop Manager
Desiree started volunteering with Catalyst in 2024 to help connect more Veterans to the program. She joined Catalyst full time in 2025 as the Bike Shop Manager. She is a spouse of a veteran and comes from a family that has served in all branches of the military. She worked at the VA of Southern Nevada Healthcare System for 8 years helping Veterans and improving processes in the healthcare system. Desiree enjoys meeting veterans and helping them find a road to recovery. She enjoys outings with her husband, daughter, mother in law and 2 dogs.
Fundraising Specialist
Francesca "Frankie" is a fundraising professional and nonprofit leader who has spent over a decade helping organizations grow their impact through philanthropy.
With a background that includes leading development efforts at Covenant House Georgia, co-founding the nonprofit tech platform Grantyd, and serving on arts and education boards across Atlanta and Boston, Francesca brings a blend of fundraising expertise and community passion to the team.
She joined Catalyst in 2025 to support fundraising strategy, excited to help expand Catalyst’s programs and build lasting relationships with donors, volunteers, and the entire Catalyst Sports family. When she’s not working with nonprofits, you can find Francesca teaching dance, exploring local arts events, or spending time with her husband and two kids in Atlanta.
Director of
Consulting
In 2002, while working as a wildland firefighter for the National Park Service, Carly suffered a fall leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. After her injury, she became active in numerous sports like snow skiing, triathlon, handcycling, and water skiing. Being very active prior to her injury, sports became an important aspect of bridging the gap between her life before the injury and after. “Sports has aided in giving me back my identity, it’s empowered me to redefine myself and find an outlet.” Carly, has two children, ages fifteen and eight. Carly is a motivational speaker, program administrator of Knoxville Sled Hockey, program volunteer for Catalyst sports, and an accessibility and inclusion consultant.
Atlanta
Outdoor Guide
Mark Huckeba, who prefers to go by Huck, graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in risk management and insurance and describes himself as a climbing addict. In 2004 Huck successfully hiked the Appalachian Trail from end to end and developed a strong sense of adventure. Hiking the trail brought him his first job at the Appalachian Mountain Club in New Hampshire and introduced him to climbing.
Throughout several moves and jobs, climbing remained a steady hobby for Huck. He began the discipline of climbing at the Triangle Rock Club in Raleigh, NC. After a year of climbing at TRC, Huck began to volunteer belay children’s birthday parties and eventually began to lead groups to climbing destinations in the southeast. Currently, on the side, Huck teaches and coaches climbing at Life Time Fitness in Woodstock, Georgia. He teaches top rope and lead climbing skills to adults, leads a class for children, coaches a youth climb team and leads all climbing summer camps. In addition, Huck instructs belay certification classes.
Asheville
Chapter Coordinator
Acacia is a Physical Therapy Doctoral Student at WCU. As a climber of 20 years, rigger for aerial performers, and enthusiast for getting everyone outdoors, it was an instant match when she began volunteering for Catalyst Asheville in early 2023 in both the climbing and mountain biking programs. She has a few hidden talents, including welding, juggling, and studying for endless hours.
Chattanooga
Climbing Coordinator
I am a Recreation Therapist with the City of Chattanooga's Therapeutic Recreation Services. I started climbing regularly because of our partnership with Catalyst and another climbing program we do through Therapeutic Rec for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I love watching athletes challenge themselves to try a new sport and improve their confidence in themselves and their abilities. I am so excited to be a part of this Catalyst crew in Chattanooga!
Huntsville
Chapter Coordinator
Julie a native Virginian considered Alabama her second home as she visited her family often and spent many happy summers skiing, boating, and enjoying her family at Lake Guntersville. Julie graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Psychology, but her interest has always been in assistive technology that helps create inclusion for all. Julie was a participant in Catalyst Greater DC and when she moved to Alabama her passion for climbing soared. A serious medical setback took her off the ropes for a while, but she continued to work on adaptive technologies and follow climbing. When she was able to return to climbing at High Point her love of climbing, interest in adaptive/assistive services, and her inner engineer pushed her to volunteer and help start the Huntsville Catalyst Chapter. She looks forward to connecting her physical therapy and climbing pals to volunteering and experiencing the thrill of bringing climbing to others.
Nashville/Murfreesboro
Climbing Coordinator
Ben is co-leading the Nashville chapter with Amy Saffel. He started climbing and mountain biking in 2014. In 2019 he suffered a spinal cord injury from a cycling accident. Ben started out as an athlete and became a regular to our monthly meet ups in the Nashville chapter. Ben is an avid hand cyclist who has won many marathons, competed in multiple downhill mountain bike races and competed at national level climbing competitions.
Climb Nashville Coordinator
Caroline (she/her) is an elementary exceptional education teacher in Nashville. Her work with students has ignited a passion for accessibility not just in education, but in all aspects of a person's life. Caroline has been climbing since 2020 and attributes the sport to many improvements in her personal life. When she heard about the opportunity to become one of the Chapter Coordinators for Catalyst in Nashville, she knew it would be a great and exciting fit. In her free time, Caroline likes to climb, hike, and build Legos with her partner.
Raleigh / Durham Chapter Coordinator
As a climbing competitor and dedicated coach, Heidi is passionate about helping more people experience the joy and community found through sport and adventure. She has visited over 100 National Park sites across the country and loves the outdoors. Heidi is also a proud Tar Heel who recently graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Adaptive Climbing
Director
Emily is an occupational therapist by training, who began climbing in 2018 and fell in love with the sport and the community. Emily began volunteering with Catalyst in 2021 when she launched the Louisville chapter, combining her professional experience and her love of climbing in one place.
Emily joined Catalyst full time as the adaptive climbing director in 2024. She is thrilled to expand adaptive climbing in the Southeast, as well as continue the amazing work Catalyst does of building community and relationships between athletes, volunteers, donors, and the entire Catalyst Sports family. When she's not climbing, you can find Emily mountain biking, practicing yoga, watching the Great British Bake Off, or cuddling with her dog Olive.
Bike Shop Mechanic,
VetsCycle Coordinator
Charles is a veteran and a cycling enthusiast. He competes in adaptive races across the country in his green speed machine. Charles enjoys meeting veterans and leading them on rides on the Silver Comet.
Grant Writer
Laura joined Catalyst Sports in March 2023, bringing over 20 years of experience in business development and leadership across the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors. As a grant writer, she blends strategic insight with compelling storytelling to advance inclusive recreation and adaptive sports programming. Laura is passionate about movement, the outdoors, and expanding access to the lifechanging impact of sports and adventure programming for children, adults, and Veterans who live with disabilities.
Atlanta
Monthly Climbing Coordinator
We are pleased to welcome Nadine as our monthly climbing coordinator for Atlanta!
Asheville
Ski Coordinator
Lucy joins us to coordinate our adaptive climbing Program at The Riveter.
Birmingham
Chapter Coordinator
Josh McNeil co-leads the Birmingham Chapter with Tess Burford.
Chattanooga
Chapter Coordinator
Elaine Adams Gossett was instrumental in developing the City’s Therapeutic Recreation Program in 2002 with the mindset that leisure and recreation are an important part of everyone’s life. She graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Recreation Management with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. Upon graduation, she returned home to Chattanooga where she has worked in a variety of settings as a recreational therapist and is currently with the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Youth & Family Development. Elaine has been with the Chattanooga Catalyst chapter since its inception in 2013. She believes that Catalyst is an amazing organization that helps to open up doors and allows individuals to focus on their abilities, reach new heights and be a part of an incredible community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, riding bikes and anything related to the beach.
Knoxville
Chapter Coordinator
Brianna is a steller athlete, lifeguard, and teacher. She also volunteers with the Special Olympics.
Nashville
Chapter Coordinator
From Franklin, TN Amy is the Executive Director of ABLE Youth, a wheelchair sports and independence non-profit for kids and youth in Nashville. She started climbing in 2014 when Catalyst came to Nashville for their first climb and became our chapter’s coordinator last year. As a wheelchair user herself, having spina bifida and no leg function, Amy saw climbing as a new challenge and a new way to build my strength. “I have always loved both new adventures and fitness, and climbing has fulfilled both of those passions.” Amy regularly races in her wheelchair and is training for her 9th half marathon. She has seen that climbing has really made a difference in her strength, especially in muscle groups that she doesn’t use otherwise and wanted others to experience the benefits of climbing, too. Amy loves seeing new climbers try something for the first time and realize that they can do something that they may never have thought that they could do before. We even have people in our chapter who are able to reduce their physical therapy appointments because climbing provides them with a way to use and strengthen their muscles in a fun way. I also really enjoy seeing the other climbers at our climbing gym watch our Catalyst climbers. They may not even realize that they have a disability at first when they see them on the wall, but they soon realize that a Catalyst climber’s disability isn’t a barrier to climbing, just as it doesn’t have to be a barrier to a full and active life in general. Amy truly believes that climbing at Catalyst is much more than climbing; it’s changing perceptions of disability in society and breaking down barriers.
Charleston Chapter Coordinator
Ian Gleason is a lifelong climber and member of the Catalyst Paraclimbing Team and the US National Paraclimbing Team. He also plays the banjo.
Raleigh / Durham Chapter Coordinator
Connor is passionate about fitness, safety, outdoor adventure and community building, His favorite long-term hobby is climbing. With priorities now shifting to adventure suited for his baby daughter, he does have goals to eventually venture into guiding (hopefully with her)! He loves gardening & music, and finds any excuse to get outside. Connor loves to encourage people to try things, and to see the joy they have when they succeed.
Adaptive Mountain Biking Director
Shane Maxson discovered the freedom of bikes around five years old when the training wheels blew off his Schwinn one evening as the sun set. From that day on the world got a lot bigger.The freedom that bikes provide cannot be understated.
Shane began volunteering with Catalyst Sports in 2022 and joined the Catalyst Sports Team as the Director of Adaptive Mountain Biking in 2026. Shane has a background in therapeutic outdoor recreation with a focus on mental and developmental health, as well as in bicycle tourism. From that, he brings a strategic and people-centered approach to strengthening adaptive mountain biking throughout the Southeast.
At Catalyst Sports, Shane leads program development, volunteer support, and partnership growth to expand riding opportunities for people with physical disabilities. He serves on state and national committees working on increasing trail access on public lands. He is passionate about creating pathways for inclusion in outdoor spaces and helping shape a future where mountain biking is accessible to everyone.
When Shane is not working on removing barriers to the outdoors, he can often be found on an adventure with his partner Erika, for whom he would explore the ends of the earth.
Email: shane@catalystsports.org
Director of Education & University Partnerships
Ivanna is a certified prosthesis based in Chattanooga, TN. In 2021 She started volunteering in adaptive sports in California while pursuing her masters in Orthotics and Prosthetics. Ivanna is a passionate outdoor enthusiast who loves to volunteer her time and expertise to help others. In 2021, she joined Catalyst as a volunteer and later became the Director of Education and University Partnerships. In addition, she also dedicates her time in building the Catalyst Adaptive Climbing community in Chattanooga along with coordinating the launch of their Adaptive Mountain Biking program.
Veterans Program Director
Franz Haller is an Army veteran and veteran engagement leader dedicated to strengthening the force beyond the uniform. Through his work with other VSO's and Catalyst Sports, Franz leads from the front by organizing fitness-driven, team-based activities that restore camaraderie, discipline, and purpose for veterans transitioning to civilian life. His mission is to keep veterans physically active, mentally resilient, and connected to a community that understands the value of service, teamwork, and accountability.
Atlanta
Weekly Climbing Coordinator
James began volunteering with Catalyst in Atlanta in 2022. He enjoys working with athletes to support their effort and growth.
Asheville
Chapter Coordinator
Chadd has always had a love of sharing his passion for the outdoors with others. When he began volunteering with Catalyst’s mountain biking program in 2021, he felt an immediate connection to a community he knew he would be spending the rest of his life with. After becoming a climber in more recent years, the opportunity to co-lead the Asheville climbing chapter was an easy one to say yes to.
In addition to his work with Catalyst, Chadd also helps run a local non-profit chapter that funds and builds adaptive bikes for kids. In his free time, you can find him trail running in Pisgah, foraging for mushrooms, and wondering what that bird is.
Birmingham
Chapter Coordinator
Tess Burford co-leads the Birmingham Chapter with Josh McNeil.
Greater DC
Chapter Coordinator
Andrew has been living in the D.C. area for the past 8 years, and started climbing 6 years ago. He was first introduced to Catalyst by Judith Erger (founder of the Greater DC Catalyst chapter), and has been volunteering ever since. Fun fact, Judith was also the instructor who taught Andrew how to belay! Our monthly climbing clinics are now a fixture in the Adaptive Sports community in the Metro DC; attracting approximately 20-30 climbers, and 30-40 volunteers at each event. Andrew works as a Lab Manager at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD in a neurogenomics lab focused on studying lysosomal enzyme deficiencies which contribute to Gaucher’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Andrew is passionate about the power of micro-communities, and their ability to motivate individuals to overcome barriers of any origin and magnitude.
Louisville
Chapter Coordinator
Brittany co-leads Louisville's climbing chapter with Emily Moscoe and has volunteered with Catalyst since its founding in 2021. As an oncology nurse practitioner and a climber since 2016, she loves introducing athletes to climbing, watching them discover joy in the sport, build community, and gain confidence in their abilities. Outside of climbing, Brittany enjoys cycling, nature, swimming, and spending time with her husband and their three dogs: Tater, Lola, and Milo.
Climb Nashville Coordinator
Claire (she/her) is a Nashville native and longtime climbing enthusiast. After learning about Catalyst, she was incredibly excited for the opportunity to connect with athletes and expand the sport of adaptive climbing within her hometown and beyond. Outside of climbing, she enjoys all things outdoors and tending to her many houseplants.
Raleigh / Durham
Chapter Coordinator
Kiersten Williams joins our team as coordinator for the Raleigh/Durham chapter.
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