Meet Nicole Fess, Director of Program in Our Central and Southern Tier Regions

Figure skater, coach, intern, and now staff—when it comes to Special Olympics New York, Nicole Fess has done it all.

Currently, Nicole serves as Director of Program for our Central and Southern Tier Regions. In this role, she oversees school-age community programs and Unified Champion Schools, helping to expand inclusive sports and educational opportunities across her region.

Nicole’s journey with Special Olympics began in 2011 in the Genesee Region. A lifelong figure skater, she discovered her passion for coaching after being invited to help the Silver Blades Figure Skating Team. “They needed an extra coach,” she recalls. “I went, and I fell in love.”

Since that moment, Nicole’s involvement has only grown. She went on to become the Head Coach of the Silver Blades team and interned with the Genesee Region’s program team while in college. She also served as Head of Delegation for the State Summer and Fall Games. In 2022, Nicole officially joined Special Olympics New York as a staff member.

Her dedication led her to an unforgettable opportunity in 2025, when she served as Head Coach for Special Olympics USA’s Figure Skating Team at the World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

“It was the experience of a lifetime,” Nicole shares. “Especially because three of my eight skaters were from New York.”

Nicole finds the greatest joy in seeing her athletes thrive both on and off the ice. “Special Olympics gives people a chance to participate in sports who might not otherwise have the opportunity. It builds confidence, friendships, and a true sense of belonging and that’s what makes it so special.”

Nicole continues to embody the spirit of inclusion and passion that defines Special Olympics New York, inspiring athletes, coaches, and communities alike to see the power of sport in bringing people together.

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