OUR TEAM

Maurelhena Walles

Founder & CEO

Maurelhena Walles’ personal narrative from schoolyard tag champion to representing the United States and winning the 60 meters in Daegu, Korea at the 2017 World Masters Athletics Track and Field Championship dictated her professional journey of creating healthier lives for thriving communities through physical activity. She attended Alabama A&M University and graduated cum laude with a degree in Telecommunications and Political Science. She has been afforded the opportunity to use track to travel the world while representing the United States in Korea, Australia and more recently Poland. Off the track, she is the Founder and CEO of Equity Design, a social enterprise that brings equity to disadvantaged populations in under-served communities through nontraditional and sustainable programming that will help increase their life expectancy while creating a long-lasting and healthy connection to physical activity. Maurelhena holds an Advanced Certificate from NYU in Education Communication and Technology as well as an MFA in Television Production from Brooklyn College. She also has her certification in personal training, youth development and training special populations, i.e. people living with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems. By using her expertise in instructional design, she is able to design health and fitness programs that address the needs of the communities she serves. She believes that good results are worth the time it takes to plan them. The core of her success, on and off the track, is defined by her passion and commitment to using physical activity as a tool to educate and empower.
Chris Morson

Program Associate and Trainer

Born and raised in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Chris is a certified National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and Youth Exercise Specialist who is currently pursuing his Registered Dietician license. He’s a true New Yorker, who resided in 4 out of the 5 boroughs. Though he has worked and had many different opportunities in and around NYC, he has an eagle’s eye approach to the communities that are in need of change, through health. But he also knows that a change in health means a change in one’s behavior and attitude. Physical activity is about levels and modifications. He enjoys his work as a Program Associate at Equity Design because he’s able to help communities find a balance between their personal view towards physical activity and where they need to be to change their personal health trajectory. Everyday, he meets people, schools, communities and organizations where they’re at.
Elizabeth Sadoff

Executive Administrator

Having grown up in California, Elizabeth came to New York in 1988 with an inkling that here she would find a community in which she could immerse herself and make a difference. Having been able to start her own Art Advisory company in 2009 when so many businesses closed their doors, Elizabeth feels deep gratitude for the opportunity New York has afforded her. Giving back to her community is a major priority for her. As an ardent political activist, longtime volunteer fundraiser for Bailey House and as of 2020, an enthusiastic member of the Equity Design team, Elizabeth has found the solid, effective leadership she sought to enable her to play a part in delivering sustainable programs and changing the trajectory of the health of Bronx community through physical activity.
Kelton Cumberbatch

Program Associate and Content Developer

Kelton is a New York City based educator, coach and track athlete who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Manhattan College with a Bachelors in Physical Education. He then went on to receive his M.S. in Recreation and Park Administration from Lehman College. Currently, he’s a tenured Pre-K-5 Physical Education teacher at Ethical Culture Fieldston School. As a former competitive track athlete, Kelton used those experiences to influence and shape his coaching. He also furthered his knowledge of Track and Field by obtaining coaching certifications in USATF Level 1, USTFCCCA Technical and a USTFCCA Strength and Conditioning. As an educator, he believes in the importance of progressive education and hopes to continue this work by re-imagining traditional methods of teaching within Physical Education.

Taleek Norman

Programming and Technical Support Advisor

Taleek Norman was born and raised in the Bronx and through those years, as he matured, he was able to work through life’s obstacles with the guidance and support of family, coaches, professors and friends; growing his mindset, and transcending himself into the community role model and entrepreneur he is today. During his 15 years of experience as an athlete, personal trainer and Physical Education teacher, he has had the ability to reach, empower, and inspire both youth and adults. He engages individuals of diverse backgrounds and various physical activities, emphasizing the importance of leadership, perseverance, and self-confidence. He has harnessed the philosophy of paying it forward and using sports and fitness as a gateway to connect and motivate individuals; proving you can accomplish any goal, as long you put in the effort. Taleek earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from City College oF New York in Public Relations and Social Science and also earned his Associates from Mt. San Jacinto Community College, in Physical Education. Equity Design is happy to have him volunteer his time and lend his expertise to our mission.

OUR TEAM

Maurelhena Walles

Founder & CEO

Maurelhena Walles’ personal narrative from schoolyard tag champion to representing the United States and winning the 60 meters in Daegu, Korea at the 2017 World Masters Athletics Track and Field Championship dictated her professional journey of creating healthier lives for thriving communities through physical activity. She attended Alabama A&M University and graduated cum laude with a degree in Telecommunications and Political Science.

She has been afforded the opportunity to use track to travel the world while representing the United States in Korea, Australia and more recently Poland. Off the track, she is the Founder and CEO of Equity Design, a social enterprise that brings equity to disadvantaged populations in under-served communities through nontraditional and sustainable programming that will help increase their life expectancy while creating a long-lasting and healthy connection to physical activity. 

Maurelhena holds an Advanced Certificate from NYU in Education Communication and Technology as well as an MFA in Television Production from Brooklyn College. She also has her certification in personal training, youth development and training special populations, i.e. people living with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems. By using her expertise in instructional design, she is able to design health and fitness programs that address the needs of the communities she serves. She believes that good results are worth the time it takes to plan them. The core of her success, on and off the track, is defined by her passion and commitment to using physical activity as a tool to educate and empower.

Chris Morson

Program Associate and Trainer

Born and raised in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Chris is a certified National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and Youth Exercise Specialist who is currently pursuing his Registered Dietician license. He’s a true New Yorker, who resided in 4 out of the 5 boroughs. Though he has worked and had many different opportunities in and around NYC, he has an eagle’s eye approach to the communities that are in need of change, through health. But he also knows that a change in health means a change in one’s behavior and attitude. Physical activity is about levels and modifications. He enjoys his work as a Program Associate at Equity Design because he’s able to help communities find a balance between their personal view towards physical activity and where they need to be to change their personal health trajectory. Everyday, he meets people, schools, communities and organizations where they’re at.
Elizabeth Sadoff

Executive Administrator

Having grown up in California, Elizabeth came to New York in 1988 with an inkling that here she would find a community in which she could immerse herself and make a difference. Having been able to start her own Art Advisory company in 2009 when so many businesses closed their doors, Elizabeth feels deep gratitude for the opportunity New York has afforded her. Giving back to her community is a major priority for her. As an ardent political activist, longtime volunteer fundraiser for Bailey House and as of 2020, an enthusiastic member of the Equity Design team, Elizabeth has found the solid, effective leadership she sought to enable her to play a part in delivering sustainable programs and changing the trajectory of the health of Bronx community through physical activity.

Kelton Cumberbatch

Program Associate and Content Developer

Kelton is a New York City based educator, coach and track athlete who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Manhattan College with a Bachelors in Physical Education. He then went on to receive his M.S. in Recreation and Park Administration from Lehman College. Currently, he’s a tenured Pre-K-5 Physical Education teacher at Ethical Culture Fieldston School. As a former competitive track athlete, Kelton used those experiences to influence and shape his coaching. He also furthered his knowledge of Track and Field by obtaining coaching certifications in USATF Level 1, USTFCCCA Technical and a USTFCCA Strength and Conditioning. As an educator, he believes in the importance of progressive education and hopes to continue this work by re-imagining traditional methods of teaching within Physical Education.

Taleek Norman

Programming and Technical Support Advisor

Taleek Norman was born and raised in the Bronx and through those years, as he matured, he was able to work through life’s obstacles with the guidance and support of family, coaches, professors and friends; growing his mindset, and transcending himself into the community role model and entrepreneur he is today. During his 15 years of experience as an athlete, personal trainer and Physical Education teacher, he has had the ability to reach, empower, and inspire both youth and adults. He engages individuals of diverse backgrounds and various physical activities, emphasizing the importance of leadership, perseverance, and self-confidence. He has harnessed the philosophy of paying it forward and using sports and fitness as a gateway to connect and motivate individuals; proving you can accomplish any goal, as long you put in the effort. Taleek earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from City College oF New York in Public Relations and Social Science and also earned his Associates from Mt. San Jacinto Community College, in Physical Education. Equity Design is happy to have him volunteer his time and lend his expertise to our mission.

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