The Kelly Brush Foundation has named coach, safety professional and race official Sam Streletsky as its first director of ski racing safety and development.
The newly created position will expand the Vermont-based nonprofit’s efforts to improve safety for ski racers at every level.
Streletsky lives in Summit County, Colorado, and has spent nearly a decade coaching young athletes at Team Summit. She also brings experience in race organization, course safety, officiating and nonprofit fundraising.
Expanding a core foundation mission
Ski racing safety has been central to the Kelly Brush Foundation since its creation in 2006.
The foundation was established after Kelly Brush crashed into an unprotected lift tower during an FIS-sanctioned collegiate ski race. The crash caused a spinal cord injury and paraplegia.
Since then, the foundation has worked with teams, race organizers and other organizations to improve safety throughout the sport.
Its ski racing safety program includes education for teams and race organizers, safety equipment grants and advocacy efforts. The foundation also works with other organizations to promote safer racing around the world.
Through its grant program, the foundation has helped organizations purchase hundreds of miles of B-netting and other safety equipment.
In addition, its Clean Hill Initiative focuses on removing hazards from race courses.
The foundation also provides Stop the Bleed training. The program teaches on-slope personnel how to prevent a critical injury from becoming fatal.
Nearly a decade of coaching experience
Streletsky has focused on youth development during nearly 10 years as a coach at Team Summit.
Along with coaching athletes, she has helped ensure that slopes were safe for racing and training.
Through her work with Team Summit, Streletsky became a U.S. Ski & Snowboard official. She received safety training that included methods and standards developed by the Kelly Brush Foundation.
During the 2026-27 season, she will serve as a rookie U.S. Ski & Snowboard technical delegate.
That role will build on her experience as a chief of race, a jury position that helps ensure fair and safe competition.
In her new position, Streletsky will focus on expanding the foundation’s ski racing safety grant program. She also will work with national and international organizations and teams to broaden educational initiatives.
In addition, she will help the foundation develop and distribute improved safety programs and resources.
Building a stronger safety culture
Kelly Brush Foundation Executive Director Wing Pepper said Streletsky’s experience will help the organization expand its impact.
“Sam has a breadth of knowledge and experience that make her the perfect person to elevate our work in promoting ski racing safety,” Pepper said. “In the last 20 years, KBF’s ski racing safety work has brought material change to the sport of ski racing. We’ve helped protect the safety of over 100,000 athletes.”
Pepper said Streletsky’s experience and relationships throughout the sport will allow the foundation to reach more athletes.
“With Sam’s help, experience and connections, we’ll be able to keep many more athletes safely racing for years to come,” Pepper said. “We’re grateful to have her at KBF!”
Streletsky credited mentors within the Rocky Mountain Division of U.S. Ski & Snowboard with helping shape her commitment to creating safe and enjoyable race events.
“I’ve been fortunate to train with officials who support coaches, athletes and parents in conversations about safety concerns,” Streletsky said. “Through this work, I’ve learned how important it is for us to treat races and training events with the same rigorous approach to safety considerations.”
She said the new position will allow her to share that experience more broadly.
“I’m grateful to use this experience and knowledge to help the KBF spread a message of safety more broadly and keep building a positive culture around safety at every level,” Streletsky said.
Supporting safety through fundraising
Streletsky also will contribute to the foundation’s fundraising efforts.
She will work with the development staff to identify donors interested in supporting ski racing safety initiatives.
Her previous fundraising experience includes serving as executive director of the Summit County Mountain Bike Alliance and working at The Cycle Effect.
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