2026 Advisory Committee

Terry is the founder of the US Trail Running Conference and a long-time advocate for the growth of trail running worldwide. An endurance runner and community builder, he also founded Active at Altitude, which offers trail running camps, and activacuity, a guided imagery app that helps athletes build focus, confidence, and performance through short daily sessions. Terry is passionate about bringing together race directors, brands, trail organizations, and athletes to collaborate and strengthen the global trail running community.

An appreciator of the imperfect, Tim believes in failing forward together. He is founder and head crafter of Mammoth Trailfest and The Mammoth, two of America’s largest trailrunning events that were created on pillars of community, stewardship, and storytelling. Tim is a professional runner, 3x USATF Trail National Champ, 2x Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier, physical therapist, and serves on the board of Runners for Public Lands and Professional Trail Runners Association

Olivia Affuso, PhD, FACSM is the Director of Strategic Leadership Initiatives for the Council on Black Health & a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. She conducts research on the prevention of chronic disease in women through physical activity. Olivia is also an experienced ultrarunner, explorer & outdoor enthusiast. She maintains a basecamp in Asheville, NC where she serves on the board of the Run828 Foundation, the host of the Hellbender 100.

Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Whetstone, Lakota, is a fourth generation runner, athlete advocate, community organizer, project manager, filmmaker, founder of Rising Hearts since 2018, and a mom to a 4 year old and 2 year old twin girls. Since the 2019 Boston Marathon, she has used her platform to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous relatives, for their families, survivors and advocates. Jordan is committed to making running and community spaces more equitable, safe, visible, supportive, diverse, inclusive, affordable and accessible for people today and for future generations through meaningful storytelling, Rising Hearts programming, movement advocacy, partnership and community building.

Mandy is the founder of miles.Beyond Running Company and a passionate leader in community-driven endurance events. A race director, UESCA-certified running coach, and ultrarunner, Mandy has built a thriving race series in Northern Colorado that welcomes runners of all abilities - from kids’ runs to ultramarathons and overnight relay races. Through initiatives like Windsor Gives and regional relay events, she is dedicated to using running to strengthen communities, support local nonprofits, and inspire people to discover their potential through movement.

Nancy is the founder and Executive Director of the American Trail Running Association (ATRA), the only nonprofit in the US dedicated to promoting trail, mountain, and ultrarunning. She founded the US Women's Mountain Running Team and serves as Chairperson of the USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Council. A longtime collaborator with Terry Chiplin, Nancy played a key role in building and shaping the US Trail Running Conference from its earliest days. A Colorado Running Hall of Fame inductee and Robert Giegengack Award recipient, she is also a published author and a competitive Masters runner who has earned multiple medals at the World Masters Mountain Running Championships. She has been running trails and advocating for this sport for decades.

Rob Palmore is a trail runner, race director, the founding co-lead and ambassador of TURF (Trail & Ultra Running Fanatics), and a leader within Black Men Run. Rob is drawn to the trails for their un-improvements - the way they remain peaceful, calming, and beautifully simple. It's that simplicity that makes trail running both therapeutic and deeply meaningful to him. Rob brings a passion for community, inclusivity, and growing the sport to his role on the USTRC Advisory Committee.