We hope you had a wonderful holiday season! We're kicking off the New Year by welcoming the newest members of our board: Marie Hache, Maria Martens, Erika Morrison, Nao Nishio, Rachael Rizzi, and Kendal Sarnecky. Each have provided a few words on what this role means to them:

Marie Hache

I want to serve on the board of Girls on the Run because its mission mirrors my own journey. I became a runner in 2025 while training for my first half marathon and quickly discovered the physical and mental health benefits of movement, goal-setting, and community. GOTR brings these same lessons to girls—building confidence, resilience, and self-belief early, when it matters most.

Maria Martens

Volunteering as a Girls on the Run coach showed me how impactful the GOTR curriculum is in helping young girls build their confidence, agency and self-awareness. I am especially drawn to the fact that GOTR is more about just running- it uses movement as a way to teach life skills and empower girls both mentally and physically. Joining the board felt like a natural way to support a mission that aligns with my values.

Erika Morrison

I wanted to join the Girls on the Run board because I believe every girl deserves the confidence, resilience, and support to discover her inner strength. Girls on the Run goes beyond physical activity. Its program equips girls with essential life skills at a critical stage of development. Serving on the board allows me to use my experience to help strengthen a mission that positively impacts diverse families, schools, and our community. I’m proud to support an organization that empowers girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident in everyday life.

Nao Nishio

As a female engineer, I know firsthand how powerful it is when girls are encouraged to believe in their abilities, speak up, and take up space - especially in fields where they’re underrepresented. I had the privilege of coaching last season and was profoundly impacted by the program’s messages. Growing up, I didn’t have access to something like GOTR, and I wish I had - because I saw firsthand how its lessons transform not only the participants but also coaches like me.

Rachael Rizzi

I applied to serve on the Girls on the Run Board because I deeply believe in helping girls build confidence, emotional resilience, and a strong sense of self from a young age. GOTR’s mission aligns with my passion for empowering girls to trust their bodies, voices, and inner strength, and I’m honored to support a program that creates lasting impact for girls and our community.

Kendal Sarnecky

I have volunteered with Girls on the Run as both a coach and a running buddy for several years. I love movement in all its forms, especially when I am with friends. When I saw the application to join the Board, I initially felt that I did not meet the qualifications. Then I remembered that I, too, have limitless potential. I am excited to learn, grow, and help all girls activate their star power.