Nick Newman, Founder/Director

Nick has dedicated himself to out-of-school time programming for the past decade, primarily serving students and families at Commodore Sloat School and the broader community in San Francisco's District 7. He has worn many hats, including directing before/after-school programs, summer camps, and youth sports initiatives.

Nick’s journey at Commodore Sloat began in January 2015 when he joined the YMCA of San Francisco as an assistant after-school program leader. Since then, he has remained a key figure in the school community. In August 2021, Nick became one of the school’s two PE teachers—a position he still holds today.

After struggling with the decision of whether to pursue a teaching credential or climb the traditional career ladder in a larger youth-based organization, he realized his true calling: he wanted to create an organization that could foster school-based partnerships, work closely with students and families throughout the K to 5th-grade journey, and maintain the hands-on, direct connection that he loves. That’s how Start2Finish was born. The organization allows Nick to continue doing what he loves every day—teaching PE, directing before/after-school programs, and serving the students and families at Commodore Sloat.

Beyond his work in OST programming, Nick has a strong coaching background. He spent six seasons (2015–2021) as a varsity assistant coach and five seasons (2016–2021) as head coach of the junior varsity boys' basketball team at his alma mater, Terra Nova High School in Pacifica. Nick also contributed to All49ers on Sports Illustrated from 2020–2022, covering the San Francisco 49ers.

Nick is excited to continue his journey with the Commodore Sloat community and looks forward to supporting students from Start to Finish.

Shanté Thomas, Founding Board

Shanté has always been passionate about justice and serving as a resource for students. Throughout her career, she has held various roles, each catering to being a part of students' educational experiences.

Shanté joined the Commodore Sloat community in March 2022 as a substitute teacher. She then served as a co-teacher in a first-grade classroom during the 2022-2023 school year. The following year, Shanté became an after-school program leader with the YMCA, where she was quickly promoted to Family Engagement Coordinator. In this role, she was responsible for many tasks, including leading the annual fundraiser and planning events for students and families. She also taught in the YMCA’s Summer School Program, Power Scholars.

Though she no longer works at Sloat, Shanté continues to maintain her connections within the community through volunteering and attending gatherings. Currently, she works at Oasis for Girls, where she teaches high school girls about college and career readiness.

Shanté was excited to support Start2Finish from the very beginning. She admires Nick’s passion, knowing students will feel his enthusiasm daily. Shanté’s thesis focused on keeping students engaged in school through strong relationships and meaningful connections—principles that are at the heart of Start2Finish.