Girls on the Run of the Triangle Staff

Juliellen Simpson-Vos is the new Executive Director of Girls on the Run of the Triangle, joining the team in September of 2010.  Juliellen comes to GOTR after more than 15 years of experience serving the early childhood and early intervention communities in a variety of ways and leadership positions.  Growing up, Juliellen watched and cheered her father across several finish lives as he completed countless races of varying miles.  Motivated by her father's accomplishments, Juliellen began running as a young adult and finds it an incredible way to get fit, stay focused, set goals, and find pride in many small and large successes.  As the mother of a 7 year old daughter, Juliellen has also become increasingly aware of the pressures and life challenges young girls face today.  Her greatest desire for her daughter and girls like her is to recognize the countless and amazing gifts and unique talents they posses, while also recognizing their responsibilities to give back and positively influence others.

Working for Girls on the Run of the Triangle gives Juliellen a way to mold her passion for the health and wellbeing of children, along with her love for the benefits and life lessons that mentoring, running, and team work can bring.  Juliellen resides in Durham with her incredibly supportive husband, Mark and active daughter, Sydney Grace.

Caroline Johnson is the Program Manager of Girls on the Run of the Triangle. She has a degree in dance from Scripps College and a background in private school admissions. Caroline has also coached both girls lacrosse and field hockey at the middle school and high school level and taught dance to students of all ages. As a lifelong athlete and dancer, she is passionate about the mission of GOTR and hopes to empower girls to embrace their individuality and feel good in their own skin. Caroline lives in Chapel Hill with her husband Matt, their dog, Hercules and new baby girl, Gigi.

Susan Mehlman is the Program Manager of Girls on the Run of the Triangle. A northeast transplant, Susan has been involved with kids and sports for a long time. In addition to raising three active children of her own, she has been a long distance runner “forever". After running the Boston Marathon three times while raising money for Dana Farber, she realized how running can be so much more than just a form of exercise. She is commited to helping girls become empowered and healthy  through running and is excited to be part of Girls On The Run. Susan resides in North Raleigh with her husband, kids and many critters.

Melanie Aquilino is the Program Administrator for Girls on the Run of the Triangle. She has served in the non-profit sector for many years as a member of National Charity League, Inc which  focuses on leadership development for young girls. Through professional and other affiliations, Melanie has been involved in office operations, recruiting and training. Promoting programs centered on self-esteem building, realization of personal strength and balanced lifestyle has always been a passion. Having raised two daughters, Melanie now enjoys influencing and providing positive awareness and choices to many girls through Girls on the Run. Melanie resides in Chapel Hill with her husband and enjoys the opportunity to travel in - and out - of the country to catch up with her daughters!

Girls on the Run Board of Directors  

Paul Bloom joined the Board in 2006 after spending several years being involved with GOTR. Paul was instrumental in launching and sustaining the Girls on the Run 5K & Fun Run, serving as the faculty supervisor to the students at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School who comprised the race organizing team during its first few years. The race was originally designed to be in memory of GOTR supporter Will Beard, who had been a student in Paul's Nonprofit Marketing class at Kenan-Flagler just before he died. Paul left UNC in 2006 and is now Faculty Director of the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship of Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. He is conducting research on social entrepreneurial organizations (including writing a case about Girls on the Run International) and also teaching an MBA course in Corporate Social Impact Management. An active runner and triathlete, Paul has completed 16 marathons since 1999 (including 5 Bostons) and has competed all over the world in duathlons and triathlons as a five-time, age-group qualifier for Team USA. A former President of the Carolina Godiva Track Club, he was the club's Male Runner of the Year in 2002.

Meg Pomerantz joined the GOTR Board in 2008 because of her passion for exercise and sharing it with others. Meg directed the Physical Education Activities and Lifetime Fitness Programs at UNC Chapel Hill for 18 years and served as the Director of the Duke Faculty Club for 2 years.  She is currently working on a research project at the Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center at UNC-CH.  Meg grew up a competitive swimmer, took up running and cycling in graduate school, and competed in triathlons for awhile. She enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for fitness, health, and the special qualities that they can foster with anyone who will listen.   Meg served as President of the board in 2009 and is now the Past President.

Susan Kitchen joins the Board of Directors of GOTR in 2009.  She received her Bachelors of Science from Meredith College and a Masters in Public Health in Nutrition and RD certification from UNC Chapel Hill in 1991.  Susan served as the Director of UNC's Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for 10 years.   

Her dedication to fitness, healthy living and helping others achieve their goals has propelled her into a role model as an athlete, nutritionist and coach.   Already an accomplished marathoner, her goal is to complete a full Ironman in 2010.   As an advocate for children, Susan spends a great deal of time serving classroom needs at Rashkis Elementary School, is the chairperson for the NC Arts in Action program in Chapel Hill, serves on the board of the NC Children’s Hospital and is in her 3rd season as a coach for Girls on the Run.   She resides in Chapel Hill with her husband Jim and her son, Kenan (10) and daughter, Karsen (6).

Deborah Boucher joined the GOTR Board in 2008 after previously serving on the Fundraising Committee.  Deborah is a commercial real estate broker with Cassidy Turley and specializes in advising end-user clients looking to acquire or dispose of space.  As a life-long participant in sports, Deborah has seen first-hand how organized physical activities nurture young women, provide them a healthy outlet during times of challenge, and help develop them into productive, confident and capable female members of society.  Deborah grew up in Northern California, graduated from Cornell University, and then lived in the Los Angeles-area prior to moving to North Carolina in early 2006.  She resides in Raleigh with her husband Paul, two children and dog.  

Sarah Strunk is director of Active Living By Design, which creates community-led change by working with local and national partners to build a culture of active living and healthy eating. Sarah joined the GOTR board in 2009 having been a long-time enthusiast of the organization’s mission and focus. A graduate of Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill, Sarah resides in Durham and has lived in the Triangle area for 22 of the past 25 years. Although she was involved in team sports as a youth, Sarah is relatively new to running. Over the last four years, she has averaged two marathons a year and has seen firsthand how running can help build confidence, self-esteem, friendship and a healthy mind, body and spirit.    

Catherine (Cathy) Wides is new to GOTR Board but not to running or the way that running enriches life.  She has a 20-year passion for running and racing.  Cathy is a veteran of many races and holds North Carolina age group records at various distances.  She has previously served on the boards of the Springfield Road Runners and the Carolina Godiva Track Club.  Having raised two daughters, Cathy understands the importance of the mission of GOTR.  Professionally, Cathy is a CPA, and has worked for 30 years in various positions with the Internal Revenue Service.  

Kelly Boucher joined the board in 2009 through Girls on the Run’s relationship with the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.  Kelly is dedicated to her personal mission of helping girls build self-esteem through meaningful extracurricular activities so that they can be successful in all facets of life.  Kelly grew up in Maine, where she participated on her school’s swim, lacrosse, and field hockey teams.  She obtained her undergraduate degree from Smith College.  During her time at Smith, Kelly devoted her spare time to tutoring teen mothers working toward their GEDs.  Since graduating from Smith, Kelly has worked for nonprofit organizations in New York City and Johannesburg, South Africa.  She worked as a high school special education teacher in Brooklyn, New York, and received her MS in Secondary Special Education from Brooklyn College before beginning business school this fall.  Kelly is an avid runner and enjoys North Carolina’s pleasant weather, which offers many opportunities for running outside.

Chris Manack-Stover joined the board in 2010 and serves as the Treasurer and member of the Finance committee. Chris is a graduate of Marshall University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has received her Non Profit Management Certification from Duke. She works with Be Active North Carolina, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing physical activity levels and promoting healthy lifestyles among all North Carolinians. Chris is a middle school cheerleading coach and sees first-hand the importance of physical activity and self confidence in young girls.  She feels passionate about the mission of GOTR and how it can help guide these young impressionable preteens through challenging times, both physically and emotionally.  Chris lives in North Raleigh with her daughter, Sadie, dog, Bella and horse, Skeeter!

Jennifer Ma joined the Board of Directors in 2010.  A native of Raleigh, Jennifer graduated with a double degree in English and Economics-Operations Research from Columbia University in 2004.  After college, she taught in the public school system in Yilan City, Taiwan, on a Fulbright Fellowship.  She lived in Seattle briefly but realized she missed North Carolina, so she returned to the area to Duke University School of Law where she graduated, magna cum laude, in 2009.  During law school, Jennifer was heavily involved in public interest work, holding several positions on the law school’s Public Interest & Pro Bono Board.  Her work as a teacher as well as a guardian ad litem for abused and neglected children in Durham gave her a keen interest in fostering the healthy growth of children.  Although Jennifer is not a marathon runner by any means, she enjoys running and believes in the kaleidoscope of benefits it provides, particularly in conjunction with a program like GOTR.  Her most memorable race from recent times was a 5K on October 31, 2009 in Chapel Hill, done -- in costume -- with some of her favorite professors from law school.  Jennifer is currently an associate with Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein and lives in downtown Raleigh.  

Jessica Bishop received her undergraduate degree from Grove City College in cellular and molecular biology.  While she was at Grove City she competed on the cross country and swim teams.  In 1996, she decided to leave cold winters behind and move to NC where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from UNC in 2000.  Running has been a very important part of her life since and she is very excited to be participating with GOTR.  She is looking forward to helping young girls see the importance of a positive self image and a leading a healthy lifestyle.  Jessica resides in Chapel Hill with her husband and daughter.  She has completed many races, including 8 marathons.

Amy Lau is serving her second year on the Board and her second season as a GOTR coach. She learned about GOTR from her own running group. She runs often and greatly appreciates the social, personal, and physical benefits of fitness. Amy played a variety of sports while growing up -- softball, field hockey, basketball, etc -- and has been a runner since 1998. She has completed five marathons including Boston, NY, Charlottesville, and VA Beach. Professionally, Amy has been an elementary school teacher for eight years and currently teaches second grade at Duke School in Durham. She entered teaching as part of The NYC Teaching Fellows Program and taught in the Bronx for four years. AT WG Pearson Elementary School in Durham, she worked as a fourth grade teacher during 2006-2007 and the Technology Facilitator from 2007-2008. Amy has worked with children from a variety of communities and sees the importance of the GOTR mission.