Armory Foundation Welcomes Zakia Haywood
The Armory Foundation is pleased to announce Zakia Haywood as the new Director of College Track & Field and Special Projects. Effective December 6th, Haywood will be replacing Aaron Robison, as Robison has been appointed as the new Associate Director of The Penn Relays.
Haywood, a lifelong runner, brings 20 years of experience in track & field and endurance sports to her new position. As a USATF-certified national-level official, high school cross country coach, and uber fan of the sport, Haywood joins The Armory Foundation after previously contributing to many facets of the organization, including important roles at The Armory’s marquee track & field meet, the Millrose Games, the CityTrack and Learning Labs programs and officiating at hundreds of Armory track & field meets.
Prior to joining The Armory Foundation full-time, Haywood’s professional career included multiple responsibilities at The Armory and elsewhere, with a focus on running, track & field, community wellness, strategic partnerships, and special events. Her previous experience includes time spent at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and New York Road Runners.
Haywood, a mid-distance track runner while at Colgate University, earned a Masters in Public Administration from The College of New Rochelle. She now enjoys dabbling in the marathon and ultra distances.
Robison has been at The Armory Foundation since 2016. He attended Brigham Young University, and was a member of the BYU cross country and track & field teams between 2002 and 2009. After graduation in 2009, Robison served as the head track & field and cross country coach at Westlake High School.
While at The Armory Foundation, Robison created the highly successful Armory Track & Field Camp, a one-day event for high school athletes and coaches to learn from top athletes and coaches in the sport. Guest instructors at the camp have included Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad, Athing Mu, Will Claye, Ajee Wilson, Drew Hunter, Queen Harrison-Claye, and many more.