About Us

Let’s Go! Gulf Coast

Let’s Go! Gulf Coast, formerly The Mississippi Gulf Coast Youth Health Coalition, was founded in 2013, with an initial focus on combating childhood obesity. Our main program, Let’s Go! Gulf Coast, is adapted from a nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program. We proudly enlist the Gulf Coast Community Foundation as our fiscal sponsor.

We are a public/private partnership with a mission of working to address priority health issues of youth on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. All of our programs focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and are designed to engage participants across the lifespan through diverse and varied platforms, in order to create the greatest and most sustainable impact possible for our youth and communities. Since 2013, we have successfully served thousands of individuals across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We also maintain an open-door policy for program observation and cooperative learning.

Let’s Go! Gulf Coast currently operates within Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock Counties and we utilize an inclusive, multi-setting approach to combat childhood obesity which allows the programs to serve people of all genders, age, races, ethnicities, physical ability, and socioeconomic status.

Our Team

Kelsey Keel, MPH

Director

Kelsey Keel, MPH, received her Bachelor of Science degree from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York in Biology, with minors in Chemistry and International Studies. She went on to receive her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she is currently a PhD candidate in the Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences department with an anticipated graduation date of December 2023.

Since moving to South Mississippi almost a decade ago, I have been overwhelmed with the sense of community, support, and love that there is along the coast. Having studied and worked in various public health sectors from New York, Botswana, Louisiana, and finally to Mississippi, I have learned first-hand how important a role community plays in our health. I have been overjoyed serving as Director of the MS Gulf Coast Youth Health Coalition since July 2014 and watching how our work has been slowly and steadily impacting our communities. I live in Pass Christian with my husband, Stephen, our two young children, and our miniature golden-doodle. I understand how life is always changing and how important it is to strive for and maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle. As a mom, I always try to positively role model healthy behaviors, whether it’s eating fruits and veggies, doing yoga, making meal preparation fun, going for runs, or making infused water – I always try to include the little ones, even if it’s sometimes challenging! Being able to work with other families all along the coast has been such an honor. Hearing your stories, accomplishments, and even setbacks, with living the 5-2-1-0 message have been so inspiring and such a motivator to continue our work. Partnering with dozens of individuals and organizations across the coast, that are also tirelessly committed to combating childhood obesity, has consistently demonstrated the strong sense of community and compassion that we have along the coast. This keeps me focused on making our communities where we live, learn, work, and play the absolute best they can be!

Cathryn Wineski

Health educator

Cathryn Wineski earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology from Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. She is CPR/AED certified through the American Red Cross Association and is a certified personal fitness trainer through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.

I was drawn to public health in college after learning the alarming rates of obesity across Mississippi. I knew I wanted to take action and within the month I attained a certification for personal training. Post graduation, I worked as a fitness consultant for a local gym, while always gaining and expanding my knowledge in nutrition through online continuing education units. The joy of sharing fitness and health knowledge with community members at various stages of their fitness journeys led me to pursue a career in health education. I absolutely love serving my community as a health educator and my goal is always to help people find ways to easily enjoy healthy living and understand that living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be restrictive, expensive, or complicated. I love bringing a positive attitude and an upbeat energy to show others that movement and exercise is fun and that healthy foods can be enjoyed. As a mom, influencing and inspiring other parents to make healthy choices for their families is my mission in both my personal life and career!

Our Board of Directors

alan sudduth, chair

The many years I’ve spent working alongside other Mississippi Gulf Coast volunteers and the time I’ve served as Chevron’s Corporate Affairs Manager for Mississippi have motivated me to find ways to better my community and my state. I’m fortunate to have a community, a company, and a career all focused on enhancing the lives of those around us. I cannot think of a better way to carry out that mission than by participating in Let’s Go! Gulf Coast. This organization not only pursues a mission fundamental to the success of our state’s outlook from a health perspective but also achieves tangible results in improving the quality of life for our future Mississippi workers, parents, and leaders.

Danielle Emery, Vice Chair

As the Director of Operations for the Salvation Army Kroc Center, I love “doing the most good!” I have been serving on the Board for Let’s Go! Gulf Coast since 2016 and have loved being able to better serve my community and help combat childhood obesity. I have lived on the Gulf Coast for 41 years. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we love to travel.

dr. danielle fastring, treasurer

Danielle Fastring is the Director of Student Research and an Associate Professor of Pre-Clinical Sciences at William Carey University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. Formerly, she was an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi in the School of Nursing and Health Professions where she taught graduate courses in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, and SAS programming. She received her PhD in Epidemiology from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She was a Fellow in the Maternal Child Health Epidemiology Doctoral Training Program sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). She is also the Chair of the Gulf Coast Healthy Communities Collaborative and the Southern Regional Representative to the Executive Board of the Mississippi Public Health Association. She has been a board member for Let’s Go! Gulf Coast since its inception in 2013, and during that time has seen the positive impact that education provided by the organization through the 5-2-1-0 initiative has on the lives of children living in South Mississippi. The program emphasizes making healthy nutritional decisions, teaches fun ways to incorporate exercise daily, and promotes reducing screen time. Learning these things at a young age helps children to develop healthy habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Joey Conwill, Secretary

Born and raised on the MS Gulf Coast and graduating Moss Point High School, I attended MS State University received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Fitness Management and Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology. With a desire to travel, I spent my junior year in Europe attending the University of Swansea in Wales. Returning to the Gulf Coast shortly after Katrina, I met and married George Conwill. We live in Ocean Springs and have four sons. I was previously the Healthy Living Director at the MS Gulf Coast Blossman YMCA and I am blessed with the opportunity to continue to serve my community. I was Board President in 2012 for Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce and have been involved with many other service organizations and boards. I believe community is everything!

Amy Brandenstein

Being active has always been important to me even at a young age when I was encouraged to start running because my parents were runners. The culture a child grows up in plays a large role in setting healthy habits long term. Let’s Go Gulf Coast is all about healthy eating and active living for MS Gulf Coast children, their families, and the communities in which they live, learn, work, and play! I’m honored to work for Chevron Pascagoula Refinery as the Community Affairs Representative and our company values what Let’s Go! Gulf Coast is all about. It is impressive to see the positive changes that have already taken place and I can’t wait to see what long term impacts Let’s Go Gulf Coast will have on our state.

Kelly devine

As Outreach and Events Manager for Singing River Health System, I am dedicated to finding ways to help this amazing coastal community grow and thrive. As a young professional, I am keenly aware that change is a seed best planted in our youth, who are then encouraged to grow it into fruition. Being a part of organizations like Let’s Go! Gulf Coast grants me the opportunity to work with other like-minded individuals in advocating for healthy lifestyles, balanced nutrition and increased physical activity for children. I also serve on the boards of the Gulfport Arts Center and the Biloxi Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and serve on the Advisory Council for Back Bay Mission. I round out my community involvement by serving on committees for a number of other local organizations such as the Rotary Club of Gulfport and Coast Young Professionals.

Myron Mccoo

Serving as the Vice President of Human Resources at Memorial Health System, Myron has more than 20 years Human Resources experience, and he is responsible for the HR vision, leadership, strategy and operations to support business needs and strategic initiatives. Myron strongly believes in working collaboratively, not only within the hospital system but at the community level as well. Myron proudly joined the Let’s Go! Gulf Coast Board of Directors in 2022 and has been passionate about improving the health and wellness of our Gulf Coast Mississippians. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas, his Master’s in Religion and Organizational Development from Harvard University, and his law degree from Indiana University School of Law with a focus on labor and employment law.

erica schrock

As a native of Mississippi, mom of two young boys, and Marketing Director for the largest orthopaedic group in the state, Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists, I’m committed to making our beautiful coastal community a healthy place to live, work, and play. While southern traditions, such as sweet tea and fried foods, are part of our roots and culture, Mississippians also care about community. That desire for my community of dear friends, family, and neighbors to live a healthy lifestyle, drives my commitment to the coalition to fight obesity in our state, starting with our children. Our children are our future. Let’s Go Gulf Coast does an amazing job teaching our children how to make smart choices for a healthy lifestyle. From eating habits to physical activity to proper hydration, and minimal screen time, they find creative ways to keep our kids educated and open to trying new things that not only directly benefit them but hopefully their families too!

Katarina scott

I’m fortunate in my role as Chevron’s External Affairs Representative to be able to get involved in organizations that better our community. I’m so encouraged by the work Let’s Go! Gulf Coast is doing to achieve results in lowering our state’s childhood obesity rate. As a mom to a young son, childhood health is extremely important to me. With better access to information, parents will have the tools to start healthy habits with their children early, setting them up for long-term success.

laura sessum

Laura is the Executive Director of Singing River Health System Foundation. She began her career with Singing River in 2005 as an ER nurse, and later ICU nurse, at Ocean Springs Hospital. In 2009, she changed roles and began addressing the health needs in Jackson County by collaborating with local community leaders through her role as coordinator and manager for Singing River Health System’s Community Benefit Department. Laura played a key role in Singing River Health System’s partnership with Let’s Go! Gulf Coast as a founding board member of the MS Gulf Coast Youth Health Coalition. She is currently Board President for the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, and has served on the United Way for Jackson and George Counties Board of Directors, Ocean Springs Excel By 5 Coalition, Pascagoula Excel By 5 Coalition, MS Gulf Coast YMCA Board of Directors, Gulf Coast Health Educators Childhood Obesity Task Force, and as Mississippi Nurses Association District 6 Secretary. Laura is a graduate of Leadership Jackson County and in 2015 was recognized as a Top 10 Business Leaders Under 40 by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce at the One Coast Awards. Laura lives in Ocean Springs with her husband Tommy and their three children, where they share the mission of “being the good” by serving to make their community a better place. Even their dog Cleo is expected to do her part, as she’s training to hopefully become a pet therapy dog.