In 2024 Rise Above was selected as an official charity partner for the TCS New York City Marathon. Five runners will raise funds on behalf of Rise Above and compete in one of the biggest marathons in the world.
Our Runners
Alisse Ali-Joseph, Ph.D., (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma)
Dr. Ali-Joseph is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She joined the Applied Indigenous Studies family at Northern Arizona University in 2013 and specializes in the importance of sports and physical activity as a vehicle for exercising sovereignty, empowerment, cultural identity, health, and educational attainment for Indigenous Peoples. She also focuses on Indigenous health and wellness, with an emphasis on child and maternal health and Indigenous reproductive justice. Dr. Ali-Joseph is also the Faculty Athletics Representative at NAU, where she works with the athletic department to ensure institutional control and maintain academic integrity with student-athletes and faculty, and support the overall well-being of student-athletes.
She also serves on the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Minority for Opportunity and Interest Committee, and Division I Council, where she ensures the importance of minority student-athlete voice, access, and opportunity. Dr. Ali-Joseph is a founding member of the Indigenous Athletics Advancement Council (IAAC). Her most proud role is being a mom to her two beautiful daughters, and an Auntie to her nieces and nephews. Dr. Ali-Joseph played Division I tennis in college and now loves to run on this beautiful land.
Bridget Chavez
Elizabeth Isaly (Chickasaw)
Will Vipond
Hi, I’m Will Vipond. I grew up just outside Seattle, Washington, and moved to NYC in 2020 for college. Rise Above’s mission to empower Native youth through sports, mentorship, and education is something I find truly inspiring. Their work in creating opportunities for young people in Native communities has a real and lasting impact, and I’m proud to support it. While I’ve run a few endurance races before, I’ve always wanted my first official marathon to be the NYC Marathon. I’m incredibly excited to be running in such a historic race for such a meaningful cause!
Natalie Welch (Eastern Cherokee)
Dr. Natalie Michelle Welch is the Executive Director of Rise Above and an Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and grew up in Cherokee, North Carolina. Previously, Natalie worked at ESPN Wide World of Sports, Nike N7, and the global creative company, Wieden+Kennedy. Natalie has a Ph.D. in Sport Management from the University of Tennessee and an MBA and Master of Sport Business Management from the University of Central Florida. Natalie is passionate about advocating for Indigenous athletes and equity across all of sport.