Press Room

San Diego, Calif., July 1, 2026 — The American Council on Exercise (ACE) today announced that Dr. Antonio S. Williams has assumed the role of Chair of its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2026. ACE also announced the appointment of Jaclyn Byrer, MA, MA, and Ingrid Knight-Cohee, MSc, to its Board of Directors. 

Together, these leaders bring expertise in brand strategy, consumer engagement, healthy aging, and cross-sector collaboration that will help advance the ACE mission of getting people moving and improving public health. 

“Antonio has already made meaningful contributions as a member of the ACE Board of Directors, and I am delighted to welcome him into the role of Board Chair,” said Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM, ACE chief executive officer. “I am equally excited to welcome Jaclyn and Ingrid as the newest members of the Board. Their collective experience in brand leadership, community health, and fitness innovation will strengthen our ability to expand the impact of ACE and advance access to physical activity.” 

Byrer’s expertise in global brand strategy and consumer engagement, combined with Knight-Cohee’s leadership in healthy aging and community health, will provide valuable perspectives as ACE continues to evolve its role within the broader health and fitness ecosystem. 

“I am honored to assume the role of Chair of the ACE Board of Directors,” said Dr. Williams. “ACE plays an important role in advancing health and fitness through education, professional development, and advocacy. I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members and the ACE leadership team to build on the organization’s strong foundation and help shape its future impact.” 

ACE also extends its sincere gratitude to outgoing Board Chair John Lally for his leadership, service, and steadfast commitment to advancing the organization’s mission during his tenure. 

The ACE Board of Directors plays a critical role in shaping the organization’s future, providing strategic guidance and oversight to ensure ACE fulfills its mission with sound governance, financial responsibility, and ethical integrity. 

For more information about ACE and its Board of Directors, please visit https://www.acefitness.org/about-ace/our-team/board-of-directors/. 

About Dr. Antonio S. Williams 

Dr. Antonio S. Williams serves as the Beinner Family Endowed Professor and Assistant Dean of Business Development and Strategic Innovation at the Indiana University School of Public Health–Bloomington, where his expertise spans sport and fitness brand marketing, fitness consumer behavior, and public health marketing. He is the author of 101 Ways to Build Your Fitness Brand and Essentials of Branding, and was inducted into the South Carolina State University Health and Physical Education Hall of Fame in 2017. His work has been featured in award-winning films such as Sneaker Hustle and One Man and His Shoes, as well as major media outlets including The New York Times, Men’s Health, The Washington Post, and The Chicago Tribune. With more than 100 scholarly research articles and presentations, Dr. Williams continues to shape the conversation around branding and brand management in fitness, sport, and public health. 

About Jaclyn Byrer, MA, MS 

Jaclyn Byrer, MA, MS, is a brand and content leader specializing in fitness, sport, and health marketing and storytelling, currently serving as the North America Training Brand Marketing Expert at Nike, where she has also led global work across brand management, brand creative, editorial, and communications for some of the company’s most visible fitness and well-being initiatives. Prior to Nike, Byrer held editorial leadership roles at major national media brands including SHAPE and SELF, where she oversaw distinctive, inclusive, and evidence-based fitness content. Byrer holds master’s degrees in psychology and journalism and a bachelor’s degree in communication and creative writing and is both an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and ACE Behavior Change Specialist, bringing a unique lens that bridges fitness, behavior science, editorial leadership, and brand strategy, alongside a passion for advancing inclusive and empowering approaches to shape the future of fitness and health. 

About Ingrid Knight-Cohee, MSc 

Ingrid Knight-Cohee, MSc, serves as Director of Healthy Aging and Chronic Disease Programs at YMCA BC, where she oversees expansive community health initiatives impacting more than 200,000 individuals across 55 communities, with an emphasis on advancing equity, improving access, and integrating clinical and community-based care. A recognized voice in healthy aging, midlife women’s health, leadership, and inclusive fitness innovation, she is a frequent presenter at global conferences and was named the 2024 IDEA Fitness Leader of the Year. Knight-Cohee is also a contributing author to Inspire the World to Fitness, published by the IDEA Health & Fitness Association, where her chapter, Inner Voice & Global Vision, explores purpose-driven leadership and the transformative role of movement in communities. Knight-Cohee is the founder of MSINGI®, the world’s first Afrocentric functional movement practice. She holds a Master of Science in Exercise & Health Psychology, is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and ACE Certified Health Coach and has a background as a former U.S. National Team rhythmic gymnast, all of which brings both academic expertise and lived experience to her work and insight. 

About the American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Since 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has been the leading non-profit education and certification provider for health coaches and exercise professionals in the United States and around the world.

With more than 90,000 highly respected certified health coaches and exercise professionals, ACE Certified Professionals are on the ground daily helping people move, stay active and make lasting lifestyle behavior changes to build healthier communities.

Headquartered in San Diego, ACE collaborates with public health partners to educate people of all backgrounds about the importance of physical activity and other healthy lifestyle behaviors; advocates for public policies to increase physical activity opportunities; and supports scientific research that investigates the efficacy of behavior-change interventions and the effectiveness of exercise practices and trends. Learn more at acefitness.org.