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Deb Shultz, Board Chair and Founder
Retired, IBM Sales and Sales Management
Home Town: Fairbury, IL (moved to Springfield in 1992)
First Year on Board: 2010
Previous Involvement with GOTR: Founder of Central Illinois Program in 2004; 7 year volunteer serving as Executive Director, Program Coordinator, Coach and 5k race committee
What Attracted You to GOTR: Initially I was attracted to the program because of the opportunity to share important life skills (friendship, health, service) with young girls in a very fun, non-competitive environment. What I’ve learned is that girls of all ages (adult volunteers like me) benefit from the GOTR messages and enjoy the program. GOTR participants and volunteers are amazing!
Hobbies: Family Time, Tennis, Pilates, Running, Golf |
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Lauren Lurkins, Board Role: Vice President
Attorney, Hodge Dwyer & Driver
Home Town: Marion, Illinois (moved to Springfield in 2006)
First Year on Board: 2010
Previous Involvement with GOTR: I started as a coach at Sandburg Elementary, and was honored when approached to be on the first Board of Directors of GOTRCI!
What Attracted you to GOTR: When I was growing up, my mom always talked with my twin sister and me about the same core values GOTR teaches to girls in the program: to respect ourselves, treat others kindly, give back to our community, and live healthy lives – physically, emotionally and spiritually. I love that GOTR uses the power of running and an amazing curriculum to teach girls these important life skills, while at the same time, teaching them to set goals and work to accomplish them. I love being part of a program that teaches young girls that they can accomplish anything they want.
Hobbies: Running, yoga, reading and spending time with my husband, Matt, and new baby, Caroline (who will most definitely be a Girl on the Run one day!!) |
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Susan Akers, Treasurer
CPA – experience in public accounting and as a controller for a publicly held company. Currently, volunteering time and talents in her church, son’s school and her community.
Home Town: Mt. Clemens, Michigan
First Year on Board: 2010
Previous Involvement with GOTR: Assisted in founding the GOTRCI council
What Attracted You to GOTR: I love the message GOTR delivers to young women and the smile on the girl’s faces when they realize they can do anything that they put their mind to.
Hobbies: Tennis, traveling and giving time to family, friends and community
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Kristy Martin, Secretary
Human Resources Manager, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc.
Home Town: Springfield, IL
First Year on Board: 2011
Previous Involvement with GOTR: Volunteer for the spring 2011 GOTR 5k
What Attracted You to GOTR: As a member of the Springfield, IL community, and involved for the last seven years in non-for-profit work with other area organizations, I was looking for a place to volunteer my time that fit my personality and my belief in fitness. I have always been involved in physical fitness programs, from a young age as a competitive swimmer, which played a large part in shaping me to who I am today. Girls on the Run provides each participant the opportunity to learn to love who they are and learn that fitness programs can be fun. Once instilled as a part of their life while young, it will continue to be a part of their life as they mature.
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, biking, working out, traveling |
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GerriAnne Graham, Board Member
Home Town: Butte Falls, Oregon (moved to Springfield in 2007)
First Year on Board: 2010
Previous Involvement with GOTR: Participated as a coach and SoleMates runner and started a GOTR program at Blessed Sacrament School. Served as a coach for three seasons.
What Attracted You to GOTR: I believe in Girls on the Run because it is a program that empowers girls to have a sense of self and the confidence to be who they were born to be. The values of Girls on the Run spoke to me – to have a place that gives girls self-confidence, positive emotional and social skills so that they accept themselves and their peers for who they are and realize they can achieve what seems like a monumental goal. The best part of GOTR is that it doesn’t just give the girls emotional, physical, and social skills it affects everyone they touch, through the lessons that are taught. My favorite lesson that I use daily is I feel…, when you…, because…, and I would like you to…. |
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Karen Carlson, Board Member
Director of Public Relations and Communications, SIU School of Medicine
Home Town: Springfield, IL
First Year on Board: 2010
Previous Involvement with GOTR: Participated in the first season (2003) at the Boys and Girls Clubs. Coached for many seasons at the following program sites – Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield, Enos Elementary and Lindsay Elementary.
What Attracted You to GOTR: I love that the program is about celebrating individual health and celebrating one’s abilities right now. I applaud the message about celebrating girls’ individual worth for who they are, not what society expects them to be.
Hobbies: Running, bicycling, doing design projects and being a parent |
