Getting Started
Endless Highway, Inc. was humbly born as the Robert A. Tortorella Charitable Trust, Inc. in 2011 with the support of friends and family. The Trust was a celebration of Rob Tortorella’s leadership in disability awareness and an official entity through which he could continue his work of sponsoring opportunities for youth with physical disabilities.
As the partnerships and impact grew, we needed a name that reflected our dedication to the necessary work ahead of us to ensure sports, recreation, and the arts are accessible to all. Our commitment is endless, and our mission now supports youth and adults. Learn more.
Meet the Team
ROB TORTORELLA, FOUNDER
An athlete since childhood, Rob was captain of the varsity lacrosse team at Holy Cross College where he earned a degree in political science. In 1983, just days after his college graduation, Rob sustained a cervical spinal cord injury causing permanent paralysis during a motor vehicle accident, resulting in the use of a manual wheelchair for all aspects of mobility.
Immediately following recovery, he worked under legendary disability rights leader Charlie Carr as an advocate for Northeast Independent Living Agency in Massachusetts. Using his life-changing accident as an opportunity to make a difference, Rob moved to Rochester, NY where he remains a respected community leader in business, philanthropy, and public speaking.
Among numerous speaking and presentation engagements at youth, university, and adult levels, Rob was a featured speaker for Think First, a presentation for at-risk teens that raised awareness for permanent spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, a presenter on mobility, perseverance, and adaptive sports at McQuaid Jesuit High School, and a keynote speaker at the 2019 Adapt2Achieve Leadership Conference by Move United. He was the Founder and Executive Chairman of Corrosion Products & Equipment, Inc., is Principal at Composite Technology & Infrastructure, LLC, has served on several nonprofit boards, and dedicates time to volunteer roles and projects each year.
During and beyond recovery, Rob remained active with yoga and participation in adaptive sports including water and snow skiing, outrigger canoeing, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, and more. Today, he enjoys spending time with friends and family and is an avid patron of the arts.
CARALIE FENNESSEY, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Caralie is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (C.T.R.S), receiving her Bachelor’s from SUNY Cortland and earning a graduate degree in Integrative Design from Rochester Institute of Technology. She combines her experience in recreation therapy and understanding of innovative and adaptive design to create partnerships, resources, and solutions for unique needs related to disability.
Prior to joining the Endless Highway team, she gained eight years of professional experience in coaching, developing, and coordinating inclusive sports and recreation programs for youth and adults through her work as an Adaptive Ski and Swim Instructor at the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah, as a SUNY Cortland Trip Leader for the college’s Outdoor Education Center at Raquette Lake, and as the Recreation Coordinator at CP Rochester. In 2022, she was named a top young recreation professional in the country in National Recreation and Park Association’s “30 Under 30” list.
Caralie combines her personable nature and passion to champion Endless Highway’s mission through collaborations, program development, grant writing, and events. As a Certified Inclusivity Assessor through the Inclusive Resource Center, Caralie also provides accessible and inclusive design consultation to partners looking to create a more welcoming environment for all.
When she’s not in the office, there’s a chance you may find Caralie out on the ice as a long-time hockey player, hiking through the Adirondacks, or traveling the country with her dog and a good playlist.
CLAIRE SAUTER, MARKETING MANAGER
With a background in project management, integrated marketing strategy, and events, Claire has been supporting the Endless Highway mission since 2018. She earned a BS in Media Management and Ethics from St. John Fisher University, which kicked off a career of working with more than 40 nonprofits and mission-driven businesses from New York to North Carolina to Jamaica and even a Greek island.
As the Marketing Manager for Endless Highway, Claire keeps the mission in motion behind the scenes. In 2020, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to embrace warmer weather, but remains connected to the Rochester community through her remote work for Endless Highway each day. She manages the strategy and content for social media, website, events, fundraisers, and community stakeholder communications.
When she’s not online or on a Zoom call with the team, Claire enjoys exploring the different corners of her new city, reading, and traveling.
Nico Santiago, Inclusive Designer
Nico is a design intern working towards a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology. His experience using a wheelchair drives his passion for accessible and innovative design. He hopes to specialize in designing products for people with disabilities, including an array of products from wheelchairs to sports equipment to therapeutic tools and more.
Nico learned about Endless Highway through the organization’s connection to the Rochester Rookies. In high school, Nico was a competitive Rochester Rookies swimmer and earned three consecutive gold medals in the tri-state competitions. During this time, he witnessed Endless Highway’s mission in action as several Rookies team mates received sponsored racing chairs and upgraded equipment to continue their training.
Throughout his internship, Nico hopes to gain experience in finding solutions to complex problems and learn more about business management. Whether it’s a challenge faced by an individual or an organization, he looks forward to applying his education and personal experiences to design a solution. He is excited for experiences and skill-building during this internship to support his dream of opening an industrial design firm that specializes in creating products for people who have different challenges.
When he’s not at the EH office, you will most likely spot Nico working out at the gym, outside moding his car, or exploring upstate New York with his friends.
Guiding Growth
Our Board of Directors bring years of diverse professional and personal experience to the strategic vision and development of Endless Highway, Inc.
With thanks to Empreinte Consulting, LLC for guiding the development and transition of the Endless Highway Advisory Committee into our Board of Directors.