Meet The Team

Madi C.

General Manager

Madi has been with Goldfish since it opened its doors in November 2014! She has been here so long because she loves teaching kids how to swim and making them smile. Madi’s favorite Disney movie is Toy Story. Her favorite color is green. Madi loves eating tacos and ice cream. When Madi isn’t at Goldfish, she is normally in New York exploring the city! madi.cook@goldfishss.com

Valentina G.

Assistant General Manager

Ms Valentina studied communications at Old Dominion University. Outside of work you can find Ms Valentina biking, working on puzzles, and rooting for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League. Her favorite color is purple, and her favorite Disney movie is Lilo and Stitch. Ms. Valentina loves working at Goldfish! She loves working with kids and loves swimming because it’s the closest she feels to flying.

Alexis L.

Assistant General Manager

Where do you go to school? What year are you? What are you studying? I’m a graduate student (in my final year) at George Mason studying Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Elementary Education.
– What is your favorite color? My favorite color is brown.
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? I love to work out and play with my dorkie, Sophie.
– What is your favorite Disney movie? Ratatouille: “anyone can be a chef”
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I love collaborating with my team and personally helping our families reach their goals!

Tommy H.

Regional Manager

Tommy was born and raised in the great state of Michigan, so you can sure bet your two cents that he is a die hard Lions, Wings, and Tigers fan. He moved to Northern Virginia in September of 2014 to help open Goldfish Swim School-Reston. Tommy graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelors in Marketing. When he is not at Goldfish you can find him on the ice playing hockey or on the golf course working on his game. Tommy enjoys seeing the excitement on the children’s faces as they learn a life changing skill.

Jack D.

Safety Coordinator

Meet Mr Jack! Jack has been with Goldfish since 2017. Jack’s favorite color is green and his favorite Disney movie is Ratatouille. Outside of work, Mr. Jack enjoys playing video games, playing the guitar, and taking road trips. Mr Jack loves working at Goldfish because he enjoys working with children to teach them important life skills. He also loves working with his fellow Goldfish peers. Make sure to give Jack a high five whenever you see him!

Abby

Swim Instructor

Hi! This is Abby, and she is a junior in high school. Her favorite color is yellow, and her hobbies include painting, drawing, and playing the cello. Her favorite Disney movie is Tangled.

AJ

Swim Instructor

Meet Mr AJ. Mr AJ joined Goldfish in 2023 and loves working here because he loves building up children’s confidence to excel at swimming. His favorite color is red and his favorite Disney movie is Ratatouille. Outside of work AJ enjoys playing basketball and producing music. Welcome to the team AJ!

Angie

Swim Instructor

Angie is a sophomore at Centreville High School. She wants to study to be a surgical nurse. Her favorite color is black. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and watching anime. Her favorite animated film is Mulan. Angie enjoys working at Goldfish because she loves how free she can feel under water.

Ariz

Swim Instructor

– What is your favorite color? Pastel pink
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? I like to draw and make art. I also love to read graphic novels.
– What is your favorite movie? The Princess and the Frog
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I love working at Goldfish because of the new people I get to meet.

Asli

Swim Instructor

Asli is a freshman in college studying to become a nurse. One of her passions is watching movies, and she also loves hanging with friends. Her favorite color is purple, and she has a newfound love of the gym and walking. Her favorite Disney movie is Hercules. Asli loves the water – both the beach and the pool. She finds it very calming and relaxing.

Augustina

Swim Instructor

Bella

Swim Instructor

Meet Bella. Bella is studying biomedicine, and her favorite color is pink. She enjoys cheer, gymnastics, and shopping. Her favorite Disney movie is Rapunzel/Tangled. Bella loves being in the water!

Ben

Swim Instructor

Ben is in his second year of college studying liberal arts and is wanting to work in other countries as a diplomat. His favorite color is blue, and he enjoys playing the piano and swimming. His favorite Disney movie is The Lion King. Ben loves the vibe at Goldfish. He thinks the kids are amazing to work with because they are the people of the future!

Carter

Swim Instructor

Meet Mr Carter. He enjoys studying psychology and sports medicine. His favorite color is purple, and his favorite Disney movies are Cars and Up. Outside of work, Carter enjoys playing baseball and football, hanging out with friends, and supporting Baltimore sports teams. Mr Carter loves working at Goldfish because of all of the friends, kids, and parents he’s met. He also loves knowing that he is teaching important survival skills that could save someone’s life someday. Welcome to the team, Mr. Carter!

Charlie

Swim Instructor

This is Charlie, and he enjoys sailing, travelling, going to the beaching, and looking into real estate. His favorite color is green, and music is his passion. His favorite Disney movie is Tangled. Charlie feels that swimming is an important skill to learn to be safe, and it’s a great skill to have for traveling!

Dalia

Swim Instructor

Dalia’s favorite color is teal. She enjoys playing with her pets, being creative, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite Disney movie is Lilo & Stitch. She enjoys swimming because it’s relaxing and fun, and her favorite stroke is backstroke.

Eli

Swim Instructor

Mr.Eli is a junior at Northern Virginia Community College. In his free time, he loves playing basketball, watching sports, and playing video games. His favorite Disney movie is Peter Pan. Mr. Eli loves working at Goldfish because he loves to teach young ones a life-changing skill. One of his favorite things about swimming is floating! Be sure to give Mr.Eli a big high five in the water!

Elias

Swim Instructor

– What is your favorite color? Blue
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? Video games, working out, and watching movies.
– What is your favorite Disney movie? The Lion King.
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? Teaching someone something new in life.

Erick

Swim Instructor

Pronouns: he/him

– What’s your favorite color? Blue

– What are some hobbies you enjoy? I enjoy playing the guitar and listening to a lot of music. I love being outside and I love nature and animals.

– What’s your favorite Disney movie? Rapunzel.

– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I love swimming because it’s fun and it’s good exercise. Swimming on a hot summer day is really relaxing and the water cools you down so much. I want to teach kids how to swim so they can love it too.

Gen

Swim Instructor

Meet Mr Gen. His favorite color is green, and his favorite Disney movie is Kung Fu Panda. Outside of work, Mr Gen enjoys playing soccer. The reason he loves working at Goldfish is because he loves helping kids learn swimming skills. Welcome to the team, Mr. Gen!

Grace

Swim Instructor

Grace is currently in high school, and plans on studying biology in college! She hopes to work in a lab and do research with her degree. Her favorite color is light blue. She enjoys exercise, reading, seeing friends, and making bracelets. Her favorite Disney movie is Tangled. She loves that swimming allows her to enjoy and have the most fun in pools and beaches.

Hannah

Swim Instructor

Meet Ms Hannah. Her favorite color is pink, and her favorite Disney movie is Frozen. Outside of work she enjoys playing with her dogs, jumping on her trampoline, and doing All-Star cheerleading. Hannah loves to swim because she finds it super fun, and her favorite stroke is the backstroke. Welcome Ms Hannah!

Izzie

Swim Instructor

Jayda

Swim Instructor

Joey

Swim Instructor

This is Mr. Joey. His favorite color is yellow. In his free time, Joey enjoys skating, drawing, and all things music. His favorite Disney movie is Encanto. Joey is excited to be a part of the Goldfish team as he really enjoys being at the pool!

Kaylin

Swim Instructor

This is Kaylin, and she has big goals! She hopes to attend business school. Her favorite color is purple, and she enjoys playing sports, hanging out with her friends and family. Her favorite Disney movie is Moana. She likes being in the water and having fun!

Kenayah

Swim Instructor

Meet Ms. Kenayah. She wants to study dentistry. Her favorite color is red, and her favorite Disney movie is the Princess and the Frog. Outside of work, Ms. Kenayah enjoys drawing, reading, and playing video games. Ms. Kenayah also loves swimming because it is cooling and relaxing. Welcome to the team Ms. Kenayah!

Kenzie

Swim Instructor

What is your favorite color? Yellow
– What are some hobbies you enjoy?  Acting, singing, painting, listening to music
– What is your favorite Disney movie? Hercules
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? Swimming is relaxing and healing, it’s also a full body workout that doesn’t stress your body.

Krystal

Swim Instructor

This is Ms. Krystal! Ms. Krystal’s favorite color is pink. She loves watching live concerts, art, and coloring! Her favorite Disney movie is Toy Story. Ms. Krystal loves working at Goldfish because she loves being able to teach children a life-saving skill. She has always loved swimming, and her favorite stroke is butterfly! Welcome Ms. Krystal to our team!

Kyra

Swim Instructor

– What is your favorite color? Blue.
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? I enjoy reading and writing.
– What is your favorite Disney movie? Cinderella.
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I love swimming because it makes me feel free, like I’m in my own world.

Macalin

Swim Instructor

Ms. Macalin is a student at the University of Mary Washington. In her spare time, she loves to travel and play with her cats. Ms. Macalin’s favorite Disney movie is Pocahontas. Ms. Macalin loves working at goldfish because she is able to have fun while still practicing safety skills with her students.

Madi

Swim Instructor

– Where do you go to school? What year are you? What are you studying? I go to NOVA and I’m in my second year. I’m studying fine arts with a concentration in fashion.
– What is your favorite color? Any color of pink.
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? Art, drawing, painting, and designing. I also like hiking and theme parks.
– What is your favorite Disney movie? Princess and the Frog.
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I love swimming and teaching other kids how to swim.

Mary

Swim Instructor

Meet Ms Mary. Mary has been swimming for over 10 years! Her favorite strokes are freestyle and breaststroke. Ms Mary’s favorite colors are pink and red. Welcome to the team Ms Mary!

Mritthika

Swim Instructor

What are you studying? In the future, I plan on studying forensic science.
– What is your favorite color? Green.
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? I enjoy playing sports- especially tennis, dance, listening to music and traveling.
– What is your favorite Disney movie? Mulan.
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I love the feeling of freedom, relaxation, and refreshment that comes from being in the water while swimming.

Nick

Swim Instructor

What is your favorite color? Cyan
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? Singing and playing Minecraft with my friends.
– What is your favorite Disney movie? Fox and the Hound
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I enjoy the friends I’ve made here and working to keep children safe.

Pamela

Swim Instructor

-What’s your favorite color? Green
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? I play softball, swim, and enjoy playing instruments with my friends.

– What’s your favorite Disney movie? Tangled

– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming?

What I love most about swimming is diving into the water and just gliding in the water for a bit before going all out for a race.

Ryan

Swim Instructor

This is Ryan, and he is studying to be a sports agent. His favorite color is green, and he enjoys video games, rock climbing, and swimming. His favorite Disney movie is Tron Legacy. He loves pushing himself to physical accomplishment, and swimming makes him strong while also being fun!

Sheila

Swim Instructor

Where do you go to school? What year are you? What are you studying? I will be a junior at George Mason University in the spring. Currently studying psychology with a minor in human resources.
– What is your favorite color? Maroon.
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? I like martial arts, playing the flute, cosplaying characters, and PC building.
– What is your favorite Disney movie? My favorite Disney movie is Up.
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I love watching the growth of the students, from being afraid of the water, to eagerly asking to show me new skills they learned in the pool. Swimming is a life skill, and seeing the students get better at it is heartwarming.

Sienna

Swim Instructor

What are you studying? Planning on studying exotic veterinary sciences.

– What’s your favorite color? Mint green

– What are some hobbies you enjoy? I love to read, write, and do art projects.

– What’s your favorite Disney movie? Princess and the Frog

– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I love swimming because it gives you the ability to cool down while playing and moving!

Tammy

Swim Instructor

Tammy attends NVCC and is studying psychology. Her favorite color is purple, and she enjoys reading, hiking, and going to the gym. Her favorite Disney movie is Tangled. She loves being in the water because it feels like home to her.

Thea

Swim Instructor

– What is your favorite color? Green
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? I love to cook and bake as a hobby, especially pastas and cakes.
– What is your favorite Disney movie? Aladdin
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I love being able to work with kids and teach them life safety skills

Tegan

Swim Instructor

Meet Ms Tegan! Ms Tegan has been a part of our team since Feb 2023 and is currently a student. Her favorite color is pink, and her favorite Disney movie is Tangled. Outside of work, Ms Tegan enjoys cheerleading, fashion design, and training her puppy. Ms Tegan loves working at Goldfish because she loves working with kids and finds swimming a great form of exercise. Welcome to the team Ms Tegan!

Vaishnavi

Swim Instructor

– What is your favorite color? Sage green or blue.
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? In my freetime I like to read, play the guitar, listen to music, and hang out with my family and friends.
– What is your favorite Disney movie? Winnie the Pooh
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I love how relaxing and freeing swimming can be, and I want to help kids learn an essential life skill while also having fun.

Vincent

Swim Instructor

This is Vincent, and in his spare time he is studying to become a jeweler and steel sculptor. His favorite color is dark red. He enjoys making chainmail crafts and drawings. He also plays the bass guitar and likes watching silent films. His favorite Disney movie is the Hunchback of Notre Dame. He loves working at Goldfish because of the fun, kind environment it provides!

Amajah

Front Desk Representative

Ms. Amajah loves swimming because she loves splashing water on her siblings when they aren’t looking and having fun. Her favorite color is green, and her favorite Disney movie is Frozen. Outside of work, Ms Amajah enjoys painting, doing yoga, and reading. Welcome to the team Ms Amajah!

Morgan

Front Desk Representative

–  Where do you go to school? What year are you? What are you studying? I went to George Mason University and graduated in 2020 with a BA in Game Design.
– What is your favorite color? Green
– What are some hobbies you enjoy? Playing and running tabletop RPGs, video games, and cooking.
– What is your favorite Disney movie? Tangled
– Why do you love working at Goldfish or what do you love most about swimming? I just like the feeling of floating and being in the water. Swimming is a fun way to experience that.

Chris K.

Operations Manager

Mr. Chris is a student at George Mason University. GO PATRIOTS! He is studying the brain. His favorite color is cyan and his favorite Disney movie is Hercules. Mr. Chris also enjoys studying squids and octopuses, exploring nature, and collecting bugs. He loves swimming because it makes him feel like a fish and it’s great for exercise and motor development!

Jessica M.

Regional Facility & Logistics Manager

Jessica has been with Goldfish since July 2015. She moved to Virginia from her home state of Texas. Jessica’s favorite place to travel is Disney World, because she is a Disney fanatic and her favorite Disney movie is Mulan. Jessica’s favorite color is green. Fun fact – she has never eaten a hot dog or a hamburger! When she’s not at Goldfish, you can find her hopping on her pogo stick, as she jumps rope at the same time, or spending time with her kids at the park.