Courageous is operated year-round from our home base in Charlestown by a core team. During the spring and summer, our ranks swell to over 100 as we bring in instructors, site directors, and general staff to run daily programs and operations at our three sites.
Dave started at Courageous in 2007 as the youth program race coach, before becoming the director of the Courageous adult program from 2007-2011. In that time, Dave oversaw the growth of our adult membership, instruction and racing programs, helping to establish Courageous as one of the leading nonprofit keelboat schools in Massachusetts. As our Executive Director, Dave now works closely with our Board of Directors and management team to ensure Courageous is meeting our mission and delivering the strongest and safest possible programs. Dave learned to sail on the south shore of Long Island, and is a US Sailing Keelboat Instructor and Level 2 racing coach.
Jen’s focus is on supporting the students and instructors in Courageous’s youth and adult programs. She develops curriculum and resources, trains instructors, and coordinates adaptive and high school sailing programs. She has been affiliated with Courageous in various roles since 2009 and is a longtime member of our Frostbiting racing fleet. Jen grew up sailing, racing, and instructing in New London, CT. A former classroom teacher and arts educator, Jen is committed to providing lifelong learning opportunities to sailors at all levels, using sailing as a platform for teaching academic and life skills, and making sailing accessible and welcoming to all.
Caitlyn joined the Courageous team in March 2017. Caitlyn comes to us from a neighboring Community Sailing Center here in Boston where she worked as Adaptive Recreation Director and moved into the role of Executive Director in her final year. As the Director of Adult & Family Programs, Caitlyn facilitates corporate outings, learn to sail courses and family sailing. She grew up in Nahant, MA where she learned to sail in a small community sailing program before coaching sailing up and down the east coast in Vermont, Bermuda, Connecticut, St.Croix and Boston. Caitlyn can often be spotted running bow on a Kiri Elite 37′ in many PHRF summer series in and around Boston. She looks forward to using her network to grow the community and membership at Courageous.
Ashton has been working at Courageous since June 2015. As the Youth Program Director, Ashton manages all Youth Program logistics; she recruits students for Courageous’ Youth Programs, fosters school relationships, provides staff support, and works as a liaison and resource for the parents of our students. Ashton also helps to facilitate the transition of students from our outreach programs to core programming. She is originally from Mobile, AL and grew up on the water. When Ashton is not at Courageous, you can find her on the ultimate frisbee field attempting not to injure herself yet again. Ashton received her Masters in social work from Florida State University and has a background in working with nonprofits. Ashton plans to utilize her background in social work to build community partnerships and promote youth development.
Mackenzie has been working with Courageous since May 2018. She started as an assistant to the Adult Program and now has taken on the Office Manager position. Although Mackenzie did not grow up sailing, she has participated in our Learn to Sail courses and is eager to hone the skills to be a capable skipper one day. With 5+ years in customer service and a passion for the Courageous mission, Mackenzie is here to fulfill any and all business needs. .
Michael comes to Courageous Sailing with extensive fiberglass and boat building experience. A Tufts University grad, Michael grew up sailing and racing in Connecticut and remains a competitive Snipe sailor.
Nora joined the Courageous team in 2016 while pursuing a degree in International Relations. Her commitment to the mission of Courageous was generated by her work to support the Reach Initiative and her passion for social emotional learning.
This year, our team thoughtfully constructed a program that would recreate in the virtual world the community that makes being on the pier so special. Our top priority was to support our kids emotionally and help them address the feelings of isolation, anxiety, and stress that many were experiencing.
Our strategy:
“I think every year with kids at Courageous you see relationships form. I think whether online or in person, I still had those relationships form with students and coworkers… One thing Courageous does well is unity. I have always found myself making new friends, connecting with old ones, and becoming friends with my instructor. Courageous to me is one big family and I think everyone is always there to support you.”
—Jean, Swim Sail Science instructor and former Courageous kid
After our kids’ tough spring of remote learning in school, we knew that it would be critical to make the online Courageous Sailing experience hands-on and interesting, especially because many of our students—especially those already disproportionately affected by the upheaval of the pandemic—had lost so much ground academically. We needed to make learning fun!
Our strategy:
“I was SO impressed at the job your team did. On the first day I walked by my Step 5 (somewhat sullen, quarantined) teenager hearing him laughing and happily engaging with his group. Then hearing what they were doing everyday was so amazing. Highlights I heard about (or watched): the sailing regatta app (so cool!); The underwater view of the sea under the dock; the interview with the Commander of the Constitution (that was really amazing)! I commented to my husband that the Courageous Team should be coaching the schools on how to run Zoom meetings.”
—Kristin, Courageous parent
Youth are living in a world that can feel frightening, hostile, and unjust—a place where it’s difficult to feel safe, set worry aside, and just be a kid. Whether on Zoom or on the water, Courageous made sure that our students had plenty of opportunities for fun.
Our strategy:
“I could have fun at home as much as outside.”—Ryhan, Courageous student
“My favorite memory from Courageous is hanging out with instructors and friends and having fun with them!”—Zhencong, Courageous student
