Who We Are

Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, the nonprofit serves riders of all ages and skill levels through group training rides, skills clinics, and a robust leadership program designed to support historically underrepresented groups in the community.

Friends of FoCo Fondo was born from initiatives established by the leaders of FoCo Fondo, to benefit all people who ride bikes or want to ride bikes.

Led by a dedicated Board of Directors and established Leadership Team

We believe in creating spaces and opportunities where barriers often exist and must be removed. Our Board, along with a team of leaders actively involved in the spaces of our identified marginalized groups, work together to create access, opportunity, and community connection.

Whitney Allison (she/her), President 

Whitney Allison stumbled into collegiate cycling back in 2007 and has never looked back. She’s been racing professionally since 2013 and on the gravel side since 2021. No stranger to jumping in, she co-founded the Fort Follies in 2012 and ran the Fort Follies Gran Prix in 2013, a women’s $10k prize purse crit at the finish line of the men’s only Pro Challenge… they went on to add a women’s race through 2019. She got roped into FoCo Fondo when founding partners Zack Allison and Jake Arnold needed day-of organizational support in 2016. Since 2020, Whit and Zack have been at the helm of FoCo Fondo, letting it grow and evolve to what it is today, including the inaugural programming of Friends of FoCo Fondo. This trifecta of professional racing, FoCo Fondo, and Friends of FoCo Fondo is her flow state. She believes that a bit of funds to the right person or group at the right time can have a huge, lasting impact.

Zack Allison, (he/him), Vice President

Zack started racing on the road as a junior on the East Coast and quickly fell into the cycling lifestyle. Moving to Fort Collins, Colorado, to attend Colorado State University and continuing to race collegiately and on elite amateur and professional road racing teams. Getting bored with the same roads in Fort Collins, he started darting off the beaten path onto dirt and gravel, just to explore. In 2015, in an attempt to share the crazy exploratory experiences of mixed terrain riding, he founded FoCo Fondo. Now, Zack spends his time training, racing, expanding and evolving FoCo Fondo, bike fitting, coaching, and continuing to bring everything cycling has to offer to the masses. 

Man on bike smiling

Jess Cooper (she/her), Secretary

Jess’s cycling journey began as a spectator at criteriums before becoming a recreational mountain biker, gravel-er, and commuter. Far from being a professional cyclist, it was her tenacity, project management skills, and organizational talents that led her to FoCo Fondo, where she plays a support role wherever she is needed. With a background in nonprofit consulting, Jess brings a wealth of governance experience to the Board of Directors.

Lauren Mehl (she/her), Treasurer

Lauren got her first bike as an adult in 2012, and her love of bikes has grown exponentially since that time, finding her love in the world of dirt, gravel, mountain biking, and bikepacking. Lauren was brought on in 2022 to assist the co-owners of FoCo Fondo with various behind-the-scenes tasks and helped fully launch the Leadership Program and co-produce our first Outdoor and Lifestyle Expo. She is also the co-founder of the local community group, Queer+ Bikes, which helps facilitate all bodies, all genders, all people on all bikes, and encourages everyone to find joyful movement and community. Lauren has an extensive background working and volunteering with non-profit organizations and in program and project management across industries.

Logan Von Bokel (he/him), PR

Logan has worked in the cycling industry for over a decade, holding positions in event management, marketing, and journalism. Deeply involved with FoCo Fondo since its inception, Logan has been a participant, volunteer, and public relations advisor, helping to grow the event's impact within the local and global cycling communities. He operates an international communications agency, working with brands to develop their marketing blueprint and elevate their presence in the global market.

Leadership Team

  • Alejandra Sullivan (she/her)

    BIPOC Leader

  • B Steele (he/they)

    Gender Expansive Leader

  • Sam Summers (she/her)

    Para Leader

  • Janna Dickerson (she/her)

    Women’s Leader