Meet the Staff

Dave Leimsieder Director, Youth Programs Email:  daveleimsieder@berkeley.edu  |  Phone:  510-701-4288

Dave is currently serving as the Director of Youth Programs, and provides leadership, guidance and support to all members of the Rec Sports – Youth Programs team. Dave holds more than 18 years of experience developing, managing, and supporting high quality youth programs. Dave most recently worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs in leadership roles where he managed several Boys & Girls Club facilities and programs. Dave was instrumental in developing strong community partnerships in the Bay Area, and in Northern Utah that have benefitted countless youth. Dave received the National Service to Youth Award in 2017 due to his multiple years of service to the Boys & Girls Clubs movement. Previously Dave spent five years teaching Physical Education in Tucson, Arizona and in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dave has additional experience working with youth in residential settings, experience managing municipal Parks & Recreation programs for the City of Tucson (Arizona), and holds several years of experience implementing and managing advocacy programs for foster care youth, and youth who identify as LGBTQ. Dave served for two years on the Arizona State Foster Care Review Board, and holds membership with the Foster Care Alumni of America where he is a previous Communication Chair for the Arizona chapter. Dave presently serves as on the Board of Directors, and Chairs the Program Committee for Beyond Emancipation, an East Bay non-profit providing support services to at-risk youth aging out of the Foster Care system. Dave also serves as a member of the Contra Costa County Family & Children's Trust Committee. Dave holds further certification as a Youth Program Quality Trainer from the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality. Dave is an avid bicyclist, and enjoys traversing the many trails of the East Bay. Dave is also a talented cook who can often be found in the kitchen cooking for friends and family at home.

Nikita Kadam Sekhon  Supervisor, Year-Round Youth Programs & Operations Email:  nikitakadam10@berkeley.edu

Nikita Kadam is the Supervisor of the Golden Bear Recreation Center and the Strawberry Canyon Recreation Area. In her capacity as Supervisor she supports Gymnastics, Archery, Skate, and other year-round programming. Nikita began her time at UC Berkeley as a student and used her previous experience as a gymnast to coach for Golden Bears Youth Gymnastics. In 2014, she graduated with a degree in Technical Theater and Performance Studies. While Stage Managing at local theaters around the Bay Area, Nikita took on a larger role in the Gymnastics program by managing their scheduling, camps, and marketing. In 2016, she took on the role of Gymnastics Camp Director. Due to the ever growing popularity of the gymnastics program, she worked with management to optimize the class schedule and enrollment processes. As Supervisor for Year-Round Youth Programs, Nikita works with Rec Sports Management to apply best practices and new innovative ideas to year-round youth programming. Nikita is passionate about using her experience in the arts and sports to serve the youth and parents of the East Bay.

Leesa Berahovich Operations Coordinator, Year-Round Youth Programs

Leesa started working at Golden Bears Youth Gymnastics in 1986 when she was a student at UC Berkeley (BA- Art, BS- Nutrtition). Leesa left and then came back in 2004 and has been working in Youth Programs ever since. Leesa has been involved in gymnastics as an athlete, coach and judge. Leeas specializes in Xcel gymnastics and has been chosen to present at Regional and National Congresses. Leesa has dealt with all aspects of finance as well as a myriad of other tasks associated with the day to day operation of Golden Bears Recreation Center. Leesa also still coaches a bit and really enjoys that aspect of her job. Leesa love’s seeing kids improve, and seeing the confidence that comes with it. Leesa is married to Rob, a scientist, Rob and Leesa have 3 sons. In her free time, Leesa plays competitive Scrabble, participates actively in ballet, art, and vegan cooking.

Vinh Nguyen Interim Program Coordinator, Year-Round Youth Programs

As Program Coordinator for Golden Bear Recreation Center and Strawberry Canyon Recreation Area, Vinh Nguyen brings seven years in sports administration to the position. Prior to his current role with Rec Sports, Vinh served as Operations Assistant for Golden Bears Youth Gymnastics where he administered enrollment and billing for the program. Drawing upon the program's success, Vinh's objective is to further the standard of all youth programming at Cal. From 2018-19, Vinh took a hiatus to attend the M.S. in Sport Management program at The Ohio State University. During his time in Columbus, Vinh interned at Integrity Athletics, a multi-sports facility where he analyzed program operations, performed market research and provided consultation to senior leadership. A graduate of UC Berkeley, Vinh is eager to apply his education and experience to provide opportunities to Youth Programs' diverse population. Vinh aspires to compete in elite powerlifting, enjoys creating art and has an affinity for cheesecake and other baked goods.

Liz Lavin Interim Head Coach, Golden Bears Youth Gymnastics

Liz is currently the Interim Head Coach for Golden Bears Youth Gymnastics. Her gymnastics coaching career started in Wisconsin, while majoring in psychology at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. During her undergraduate degree, she began interning at New York University which led her to move to New York after she graduated. While working in New York City, she began a full time career as a gymnastics Head Coach, working with children aged 6 months to 18 years. In 2018, Liz brought her skills and knowledge to Golden Bears Youth Gymnastics and moved to San Francisco. As Interim Head Coach, Liz oversees all aspects of Golden Bears Youth Gymnastics and trains a number of gymnasts and coaches. As a professionally certified coach, Liz brings over 10 years of competitive coaching experience and a wealth of knowledge to all areas of the gymnastics program. Liz is happy to be a part of the Cal family and is eager to continue the success of the program.

Sean O'loughlin Skate Coordinator, Cal Skateboarding

Sean has been running the Cal Skateboard Camp since 2000 and brings a lifetime of skateboard experience to the program. In addition to teaching skateboarding technique and skills, Sean emphasizes respect and bringing a positive attitude to camp. Sean’s skateboard curriculum is nationally recognized and he is sought after as a consultant to other organizations starting programs and building parks.

Victor Chia Coordinator, Cal Archery Academy

Victor has provided leadership to the archery program since 2009. He is a USA Archery Level 4-NTS coach and has trained at the Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs and Chula Vista. Victor’s coaching philosophy is to provide a fun and safe archery experience for all ages and levels, which is the primary goal of the Blue Camp program. The Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) camp is a challenging environment to learn the National Training System (NTS) and develop archery skills.

Jade Hodge Program Lead - Recreational & Preschool Aged Youth Gymnastics

Jade started participating in gymnastics when she was four (4) year old, and competed for seven years in the Optional levels with Bay Island Gymnastics. Jade has eight years of coaching experience, having started her coaching career at a small gym in Nebraska. Jade has been with Golden Bears since the summer of 2013. Jade is from Richmond, CA, and attended St. Mary's College High School. Jade holds a BS in Psychology from York College, Nebraska where she attended college on a track & field scholarship. Jade competed at several National events, primarily in the Midwest and Southern United States. In 2018, Jade obtained her MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Cal State Long Beach. Among Jade's future goals is to grow Golden Bears into the best and largest youth recreational gymnastics programs in the Bay Area. Outside of gymnastics, Jade's hobbies include interior design, cooking various meals, outdoor activities and travelling.

Isa Earl Program Lead - Junior Olympics Competitive Gymnastics Team

As the Junior Olympic Program Lead, Isa brings over 10 years of experience to this position. Starting out in Texas, Isa found her passion for gymnastics while training and working her way towards being a level 10 gymnast at Capital Gymnastics. After finishing up her gymnastics career, Isa started coaching Compulsories while earning her Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology from The University of Texas at Austin. Finding a love for health and wellness, Isa went on to get certified as a Personal Trainer and earn a professional title in Bodybuilding. In 2018, Isa brought her love of health and fitness to Golden Bears Youth Gymnastics. Isa loves the opportunities that the University of California, Berkeley has provided her with, and is excited for all the potential growth that has yet to come.

Nico Torres-Labarca Interim Program Lead - Xcel Competitive Gymnastics Team

Nico is a proud Berkeley native, and started working for Golden Bears Youth Gymnastics in 2017. His journey started in 1996 when he started taking recreational classes. Nico would continue to participate in recreational gymnastics for several years and fell in love with the sport. Nico's love for gymnastics has also been strongly influenced by the 10 years he spent in circus arts from 2005-2015. While Nico primarily focused on contortion, he also trained in various disciplines including, Chinese acrobatics, tumbling, hand balancing, and dance. During this time, Nico also spent six years performing with Acrosports’ City Circus Troupe where he performed in annual shows as well as corporate gigs. At Acrosports, Nico also coached for their circus and gymnastics outreach program and was their Camp Coordinator for three years. In 2016 Nico obtained with a B.F.A. in Dance from San Francisco State University where he studied Ballet, Modern and Jazz. While enrolled at San Francisco State, Nico attended and performed at the American College Dance Association festival for three consecutive years. Nico has also performed for the University Dance Theatre Company for two years, and upon graduation received special recognition for his outstanding choreography. In his role as Xcel Program Lead, Nico hopes his rich background, experience, and passion for the sport will provide athletes with a positive, enriching, and inclusive competitive experience.