Our Team
Matthew Gioia - Executive Director
Matt Gioia is the Executive Director of Harlem Free Fight Academy, where he leads the organization's strategic growth, fundraising, and community programming. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor's degree in History, Matt brings a rare combination of administrative precision, nonprofit development expertise, and deep roots in martial arts to his leadership role.
Under his direction, Harlem Free Fight Academy has built a strong fundraising program and initiated partnerships with Quest Nutrition, Adidas, and multiple professional athletes, reflecting the Academy's commitment to community impact and long-term growth.
Matt's connection to martial arts began at 16, when he joined a kickboxing program in New York City and quickly fell in love with combat sports. He found his true passion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training under Arun Subramanian at Foundations Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Madison, Wisconsin. A purple belt under Rafael Babilonia, Matt has dedicated himself to the sport as a competitor, coach, and writer — contributing to publications including Flo Grappling.
Tim McNamara - Director of Programming, Head Instructor
Tim McNamara is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Renzo Gracie and Rafael “Sapo” Natan and a Judo Black Belt under Shawn madden under the late Dr. Sachio Ashida. With over 15 years of coaching experience, Tim has taught kids, teens, and adult in both Jiu Jitsu and Judo, and has accumulated five years of referee experience across both sports. A former MMA fighter and academy owner, Tim competed at a high level, earning North and South Carolina state championships in Judo before making his way to New York City.
Prior to his move to NYC, Tim spent a decade in the North Carolina public and charter school systems as a classroom teacher and department chair, earning Teacher of the Year honors twice. He brings extensive experience working with dropout prevention and alternative school populations, as well as five years supporting individuals in sober living and community living settings — making him as committed to developing people off the mat as on it.
Katie Zhang - Financial Officer
Originally from Shanghai, China, Katie began her athletic journey as a dancer at the age of four and discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in college. She now trains under Murilo Santana at Unity Jiu-Jitsu. Over the years, Katie has taken on various roles within the BJJ community, including working part-time for an online instructional website and becoming a sponsored athlete for Al Leone, a sports apparel brand. She joined Harlem Free Fights in 2024 to help make combat sports more accessible to youth in the community. In addition to her sports background, Katie is majoring in Economics at NYU with a minor in Business of Entertainment at Stern. She has completed internships in accounting, venture capital, and asset management. She hopes to use her skills in finance to help with the organization.
An avid competitor, Katie recently earned her blue belt under Murilo Santana.
Michele Eddie - Founder, Board Member
Michele Eddie is the co-founder of Harlem Free Fight Academy, the NYC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free martial arts training — boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — to teens ages 13–19 across Harlem and greater New York City, as well as affordable training for adults.
Michele serves as Director of Leadership Annual Giving and Planned Giving at NYU School of Law, where she has built a career of over 11 years in philanthropic development. A graduate of the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business and a certified Income Tax Planning professional through NYU School of Professional Studies, she brings that same expertise directly to the Academy — driving fundraising strategy, cultivating donor relationships, and ensuring the financial infrastructure that keeps programming free for the youth who need it most.
Xavier Smith- Board Member
Xavier brings over fifteen years of experience in credit risk and project finance, with a career built at the intersection of renewable energy, infrastructure, and financial innovation. Currently Director of Portfolio Management in Renewable Energy Project Finance at a major New York bank, he leads due diligence, portfolio oversight, and the structuring of complex large-scale financings that advance the energy transition across the United States. Earlier roles include Vice President and Credit Officer at another major bank, portfolio management across multibillion-dollar project finance portfolios at an international bank, and credit analysis at a leading ratings agency covering municipal and infrastructure credits. He holds a Master of Public Administration in Public Finance and Policy from New York University.
At Harlem Free Fight Academy, Xavier's value that he understands money, risk, and long-term financial structure at the highest level. He brings that expertise to help ensure the Academy is built on a sound financial foundation — from evaluating funding opportunities and managing fiscal risk to thinking strategically about the organization's long-term sustainability and growth.
Joel Melendez - Board Member
Joel Melendez is a widely respected attorney whose dedication to service extends far beyond the courtroom. With previous board experience and a reputation for sharp legal insight, Joel brings strategic leadership and a deep commitment to community empowerment to Harlem Free Fight’s mission.
Outside his legal work, Joel is a devoted jiu jitsu practitioner who somehow manages to balance a demanding career with the grind of competition. Joel is a IBJJF Pan American Champion (Masters Novice), earning recognition across the jiu jitsu community for his skill, discipline, and heart.
Joel’s blend of professional excellence, passion for martial arts, and unwavering belief in youth empowerment makes him an invaluable part of Harlem Free Fight’s leadership and vision.
Jason Patel- Board Member
Jason Patel is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and entrepreneur currently building Open Forge AI, a platform of AI agents that helps brands grow their visibility on AI search engines through Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). As founder, Jason has built a command center that enables companies to measure AI brand visibility, monitor competition, and create targeted content — demonstrating the kind of systems thinking and execution that translates directly off the mat.
At Harlem Free Fight Academy, Jason brings an entrepreneurial lens to the organization's growth — helping think through visibility, outreach, and how the Academy positions itself in an increasingly digital world. His experience building a tech platform from the ground up gives Harlem Free Fight a valuable perspective on scaling impact and reaching the communities that need it most.