Meet the Founders
Nareg Minassian
Managing Partner Yale UniversityNareg graduated with distinction from Yale University with a degree in Chemistry, while competing as a four-year NCAA Division I swimmer. During his own recruiting process, he focused on academically rigorous universities with competitive swimming programs that could also support his interests in chemistry and research. That experience of balancing athletic fit with academic and long-term career goals helped shape his approach to college recruiting. He qualified for Olympic Trials, set multiple New England records, and ranks among Yale's all-time top ten in three events. He was recognized as a CSC Academic All-District and a CSCAA Scholar All-American Honoree, has held positions at AstraZeneca, Mass General Brigham, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Chemistry.
Isabella Paoletti
Managing Partner Yale UniversityIsabella graduated with distinction from Yale University in 2026 with a BA in the History of Science and Medicine and an MS in Personalized Medicine and Applied Engineering, earning Honors in all of her master’s coursework. During her recruiting process, she considered programs across several conferences, prioritizing schools with strong swimming, high academic standards, and support for a pre-med curriculum. That experience now informs how she helps student-athletes evaluate fit across both athletic and academic priorities. At Yale, she competed on the women’s varsity swimming team for four years as a distance swimmer and IMer, competing across a wide range of events and earning an Ivy League podium finish. Isabella has also conducted medical research at Yale and the University of Pennsylvania and currently works in medical 3D design and engineering at Northwell Health’s 3D Design & Innovation Lab.
Ethan Ecsedy
Managing Partner Bowdoin CollegeEthan graduated cum laude from Bowdoin College in 2026, where he was a three-year starter on the varsity football team. Recruited to play football at Bowdoin, he built and executed his own recruiting process from scratch, compiling Hudl film, researching coach timelines, and sending targeted outreach to programs that fit his academic and athletic goals. That hands-on experience navigating the recruiting process as a student-athlete is what led him to co-found Signing Day Advisors, helping other families avoid the guesswork he had to figure out on his own. He received a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Economics, and has worked across roles at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Mass General Brigham, Kura Oncology, and Convergent Therapeutics. He plans to continue his studies as he applies to cancer biology PhD programs.
Finn Henry
Yale UniversityFinn graduated from Yale University in 2026 with a degree in Political Science and competed on the men’s varsity swimming team as a distance swimmer. His recruiting experience exposed him to schools with very different team cultures, coaching styles, and academic environments, giving him a strong perspective on how much the right program fit can vary from one athlete to another. At Yale, he also managed the team’s alumni network and received a team award recognizing sportsmanship, loyalty, and commitment to the Yale swimming tradition. Finn has worked in policy and congressional roles and currently works in consulting in Washington, D.C.
James Dun Rappaport
Emory UniversityJames graduated cum laude from Emory University in 2026 with a BBA in Finance and a minor in English. At Emory, he was an active peer tutor for both Statistics and English students and a founding member of the Goizueta Book Club. James has interned in biotechnology and impact investing, and is starting his career in M&A Advisory at FTI Consulting in the fall.
Meet the Specialists We Trust
We believe athletes should receive guidance from people who are experts in their field. We want to give families a trusted place to turn when needs extend beyond recruiting guidance.
Everyone here works independently of SDA. We make the introduction and step back; you decide who is right for your athlete.
Coaches & Performance
Coaches, clinicians and former collegiate athletes who work directly on technique, development and injury prevention in the water.
Dean Hutchinson
Swimming Performance & Athlete Development Advisor, Physical Therapist STRIVE Swim Science CenterDean is a former elite swimmer, collegiate coach, and physical therapist based in the Greater Philadelphia area, with extensive experience in athlete development and swimming performance. A seven-time NCAA Division I All-American at Auburn University and former member of the U.S. National Team, Dean competed at three Olympic Trials and reached a world ranking of eighth in the 50-meter freestyle. He later coached at the collegiate level, including roles with Rider University and the U.S. Naval Academy, while building a career in physical therapy focused on swimming mechanics, injury prevention, and performance. Dean currently works with athletes through the STRIVE Swim Science Center, combining technical coaching with a clinical understanding of movement and biomechanics.
Peter Sczupak
Swimming Performance & Athlete Development Advisor Oceanus Swim SchoolPeter is a longtime swimming coach and instructor based in Massachusetts, with experience working directly with competitive swimmers on technical development, performance, and recruiting. He is the founder of Oceanus Swim School, which provides private and small-group instruction and uses video-based analysis to help swimmers improve technique and efficiency. Peter has also served as a coach reference for athletes pursuing collegiate swimming opportunities, giving him firsthand perspective on the development and recruiting process. He holds an MBA from the University of Oregon and brings a combination of coaching, athlete development, and broader professional experience to the SDA network.
Jacob Pebley
Swimming Performance & Athlete Development Advisor Crimson AquaticsJacob Pebley brings experience from nearly every level of competitive swimming, from age-group development to NCAA competition and the international stage. A 2016 U.S. Olympian and Olympic finalist, Jacob was a 12-time NCAA All-American at the University of California, Berkeley, a nine-time U.S. National Team member, and a four-time World Championship medalist. Following his competitive career, he moved into coaching, working with developing club swimmers and collegiate athletes, including as an assistant coach at Yale University. He now serves as Head Coach of Crimson Aquatics. At SDA, Jacob serves primarily as an advisor to our team, bringing an experienced perspective on long-term athlete development, the transition from high school to collegiate athletics, and what it takes to perform at increasingly competitive levels.
Personal Trainers
Coaches who build strength and conditioning around a competitive season rather than against it, and who know how to bring an athlete back from injury.
Lionel Young
Personal Trainer, MMA Stay Young FitnessLionel is a relentless, hands-on personal trainer built around one discipline: MMA. His workouts are anything but ordinary, built with a creativity that keeps clients engaged and challenged in ways they don't see coming, and it shows: the discipline he instills carries over well beyond the gym, and the results speak for themselves. He works with athletes of every kind, from first-time gym-goers to elite competitors, including helping shape the training of NBA standout Jaylen Brown. No matter your sport or your starting point, his approach meets you there and pushes you further.
Shane Haney
Owner and Personal Trainer Underdog FitnessShane owns his own training studio, and brings the same approach to every client: real progress happens once you're pushed past where you'd normally stop, and he goes out of his way to get every client there. Train at his studio or have him come to you, Shane builds the program around what actually fits your life. He has spent years working with young student athletes chasing a specific goal, earning a spot on a college roster, helping them build not just the physical tools but the competitive edge that gets noticed by coaches and recruiters.
Nutritionists
Registered dietitians and sports nutritionists who work with growing athletes at high training volume.
Michelle Mix, MS, RD, LDN
Sports Dietitian & Performance Nutrition AdvisorMichelle is a sports dietitian with more than 25 years of experience in nutrition and performance. A former Division I swimmer at the University of Massachusetts and UMass Scholar Athlete of the Year, she later earned her master’s degree from Boston University and has remained active in endurance sports, having competed in events including half marathons and triathlons. Michelle has worked with athletes ranging from age-group and collegiate competitors to Olympic Trials qualifiers, Ironman champions, Masters Swimming world record holders, and elite athletes across multiple sports. Her experience includes work with U.S. Ski Team athletes, Killington Mountain School teams, and the Boston College Ski Team, as well as service on the nutrition program advisory board at Johnson & Wales University. She focuses on practical performance nutrition, including fueling, hydration, recovery, and body composition, helping athletes build strategies that support both training demands and long-term performance.
Sports Psychology
Mental performance professionals who help athletes manage pressure, build confidence, and develop the psychological skills needed to perform consistently in training and competition.
Meg Waldron, MS
Sport Psychology & Mental Performance Coach Mindset Coach MegMeg is a mental performance coach with more than a decade of experience helping athletes overcome anxiety, negative self-talk, limiting beliefs, and other mental barriers to performance. She earned her MS in Sport Psychology from Temple University and brings an athlete’s perspective to her work, having competed as an All-American high school runner and Penn Relays champion before being recruited on a full athletic scholarship to run track and cross country at the University of Virginia. Drawing on her experience both competing and coaching, Meg helps athletes develop the confidence, focus, and mental skills needed to navigate high-pressure environments and perform at their best. Her work spans athletes at the high school, collegiate, elite, and recreational levels.
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