The Olympics have drawn to a close, but we’re still feeling the spirit! We’re turning the spotlight onto some incredible individuals right here at HelloFresh. Beyond their professional roles, these colleagues embody the spirit of the Games with their dedication, passion, and athletic prowess. Join us as we celebrate our hidden athletes, uncovering the inspiring stories and remarkable talents that make them true champions both on and off the field:
Clare Jeong, Senior Manager, Talent Management
Clare J skates to victory.
An incredible speedskater who made it to the 2014 Olympic Trials, Clare brings talent in more ways than one to her role on HelloFresh’s talent management team.
As the daughter of a lifeguard, she grew up immersed in sports, with the splash of water and the glide of skates as her childhood backdrop. When Clare was nine years old, her dad came across a newspaper article about speedskating, forever changing the course of her athletic journey.
“Speedskating opened up a whole new world for me, quite literally…the Junior World Cup Team allowed me to travel across the globe, experiencing different cultures and competing against some of the best young athletes in the world.”
But perhaps her proudest achievement was competing in the 2012 Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria. “Standing on that global platform, surrounded by athletes who shared my passion and determination, was a dream come true.”
Her journey reached another pinnacle during the 2014 US Olympic Trials, where she placed 5th. Competing at this level taught Clare discipline and perseverance, the joy of pushing personal boundaries to achieve goals, and the value of sportsmanship and teamwork– all of which have profoundly influenced her work ethic at HelloFresh and beyond.
Matt “Mateo” Wheeler, Senior Data Scientist
Mateo W at the summit of Kendall Mountain Race in Silverton, Colorado.
From hockey and skiing to cycling and trail running, Mateo’s early years were marked by a love for hockey and skiing. Relocating to Colorado a little over a decade ago opened new athletic horizons, leading to a growing passion for cycling and trail running, sports that have become integral to his life.
These pursuits have led to remarkable achievements, such as finishing 8th in his first ultra-marathon. However, some of the most cherished moments are simpler, like savoring a well-deserved meal after conquering a 14,000-foot peak.
Behind every athlete is a pillar of support. For Mateo, that was his late father. His unwavering encouragement, from coaching Little League to driving to hockey games, continues to inspire him during challenging moments on the trail.
The discipline and perseverance honed through sports have a profound impact on Mateo’s professional life.
“I am truly confident that I am a higher performing Data Scientist if I accomplish my training goals – ‘Take care of yourself before you can take care of others.’ Also, ‘doing the right thing’ always gets me physically and mentally cued for training and races. I think that fits in well with HelloFresh’s existing DNA!”
Brian Leung, General Manager, HelloFresh
Brian L runs for Princeton University.
From novice to champion, Brian’s athletic journey began when he signed up for his high school’s cross country team during his freshman year, not knowing much about the sport but wanting to join a friend on the team. Ironically, his friend quit after a week but Brian stuck with it, going on to become the New Jersey state champion in cross country.
He earned All-American status by finishing 15th at the National Championships and broke the state record in the two-mile run. At Princeton University, he captained the track and cross country teams, becoming a multi-time All-American.
Today, he no longer competes but runs a few times a week with his two-year-old in her jogging stroller.
“I was never the most physically gifted runner, but I built up a high tolerance for discomfort and a willingness to push myself more than most people.”
His high school coach, who believed in his potential, taught him that “hard work trumps talent when talent does not work hard.” He carries this lesson with him, embracing the frenetic pace at HelloFresh and always setting lofty goals.
Aja Gyimah, Associate Product Manager (APM)
Aja G at Western University match.
The tallest in her class, Aja was drawn to volleyball at the age of 10. The sport quickly became such a big part of her life as she joined a club team during the school year and played beach volleyball in the summers in Toronto.
By the end of high school, Aja was a member of the provincial team, representing Canada on the international stage and signed to Western University to play on the varsity volleyball team.
She reached new heights of discipline playing varsity volleyball, where her team was practicing seven days a week. That hard work paid off as she earned the opportunity to play on the 5th ranked team in the nation.
“I ended my career as a 2x OUA all-star, 2x Academic All-Canadian, a nationally-ranked player and also made a ton of lifelong friends. Being an athlete on a team sport has taught me so much, such as leadership skills, problem-solving, prioritization and time management.”
As an APM at HelloFresh, her role is quite cross-functional and requires her to use these skills daily in order to get projects across the finish line.
Arijeet Patidar, Director of Data Science and Experimentation
Arijeet P with his trophy.
Arjeet’s passion for sports began in childhood, where he played soccer, cricket, volleyball, and ping pong. In college, he expanded his interests to water sports, including rowing, water polo, and swimming.
At his previous job, Arijeet discovered foosball, and during the pandemic, he joined the Chicago Foosball Club. Training with professional players, he prepared for state tournaments and won his debut Illinois state championship in the beginner category, recently advancing to the rookie level.
He draws inspiration from athletes who reach the pinnacle of their sport despite lacking physical advantages. His sports experience has taught him to stay calm under pressure and tackle challenges with a strategic, analytical mindset—qualities he applies in his role at HelloFresh.
Jenna Kirschner, Director, US Logistics Technology
Jenna K at a volleyball match.
Jenna has been playing organized sports since the age of four, but it wasn’t until seventh grade that she found her love of volleyball. Little did she know at the time that she’d still be playing competitively 20 years later.
She competed in national club tournaments all through college and beyond. To this day, Jenna plays indoor 6v6 volleyball at least once a week, and outdoor 2v2 volleyball on weekends.
“My most memorable volleyball match was county championships my senior year of high school. After a devastating finals loss in the prior year, I captained the squad to a record of 12-4 and we entered the playoffs as underdogs. We avenged the prior year beating that team in the semifinals, and took that momentum through the finals. Set in a big collegiate gymnasium in front of a raucous crowd favoring our opponent, we came out victorious in a contentious five-set match and brought home the first championship in my school’s history!”
Jenna believes that collaboration in the workplace is a team sport.
“We all support each other towards a common goal; not everyone will have their best day at the same time, nor is every individual motivated in the same way.”
As a people manager, Jenna takes a “coaching” mindset in her approach to leadership. “I look at a situation and must decide when to call a timeout, huddle up, and give constructive feedback to enable the team to reach new heights.”
