A message from Mandy Beard, Founder of Girls on the Run of the Triangle, Inc.

I feel that the mission of GOTR is key to long term health and happiness of girls and women of our community. I truly believe that healthy self esteem starts from within and grows from this inner place through all of the twists and turns of our lives - yet so much of our societal messages lead us to rely more on the opinions of others instead of our inner voice. It takes courage to be ourselves and we have to learn how to be courageous! Being a part of an organization that truly values people for who they is an amazing opportunity and the health, fun and strength that comes from running is an added bonus of the program that contributes toward long term health and happiness.

Mandy Beard lives in Chapel Hill with her spunky, fun and compassionate daughter, Annie Allen and loyal, sweet dog Daisy.

Girls on the Run of the Triangle Staff

Kelly Hurter is the Executive Director of Girls on the Run of the Triangle. Kelly originally became involved with Girls on the Run Chicago in 2000. She served on the fundraising/event planning committee as well as became a Board Member in late 2003. It wasn't until her first GOTR 5k race running as a Running Buddy with a GOTR participant that the program really hit home for her. The idea that we as women through GOTR can change the way a young girl sees her future is amazing! Since that moment in late October 2002, Kelly's passion has grown from volunteering to better this cause to working full-time for Girls on the Run of the Triangle. Through her involvement with GOTR, she hopes to see all Triangle girls ages 8-12 cross the finish line of the GOTR 5k and realize their goals and potential in life.

Caroline Johnson is the Program Manager of Girls on the Run of the Triangle. She has a degree in dance from Scripps College in California and is a recent transplant to the Chapel Hill area. Caroline has worked for the past two years in private school admissions as well as coached both girls lacrosse and field hockey at the middle school and high school level. As a lifelong athlete and dancer, she embraces the mission of GOTR and hopes to empower girls to embrace their individuality and feel good in their own skin.

Melanie Aquilino is the Office Manager of Girls on the Run of the Triangle.

Susan Mehlman is the Outreach Coordinator 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”. She is commited to helping girls become empowered and self-assured through running and is excited to be part of Girls On The Run.

Girls on the Run Board of Directors

Erin Musson joined the Board of Directors in 2006 and is currently serving as President. Erin is entering her 4th season as a GOTR coach. Through this role Erin is able to carry out the GOTR mission of Educating and Preparing girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Professionally, Erin has a Masters of Social Work from UNC. She works with children with Autism and their families. Erin is passionate about helping young girls find their inner strength and beauty and reach their potential.

Paul Bloom joined the Board in 2006 after spending several years being involved with GOTR. Paul has been instrumental in launching and sustaining the Girls on the Run 5K & Fun Run in Memory of Will Beard, serving as the faculty supervisor to the students at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School who have comprised the race organizing team since the event's inception. Will was a student in Paul's Nonprofit Marketing class at Kenan-Flagler just before he died. Although still affiliated with UNC as an adjunct professor, Paul is now Senior Research Scholar of Social Entrepreneurship and Marketing at 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 run 15 marathons since 1999 (including 5 Bostons) and has competed all over the world as a member of Team USA in duathlons and triathlons during 2005 and 2006. 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. Currently, she serves as the Director of the Duke Faculty Club. 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 joined the GOTR Board of Directors in 2008.

Cynthia Harris is a Durham native. She received her Bachelors in Nursing from NC A&T State University and her Masters in Health Administration from Pfeiffer University. She is a proud mother of a son and daughter. She was introduced to GOTR this year by Kelly Hurter during a Leadership Durham class. She ran track for over 10 years with the Durham Striders and in school. She learned over those years that track truly is a disciplined sport in which she has carried over into her day to day life. Her participation in this type of program will allow her to interact with various people and learn the importance of uplifting our young girls including her own. Cynthia joined the GOTR Board of Directors in 2008.

Liz Jasinski has been a GOTR Coach for the past 10 program seasons. She has been teaching for 30 years and is currently a teacher at Durham Academy for the 16th year. Liz participated in the GOTR Charity Runner Program in 2005 and raised funds to support Girls on the Run of the Triangle. She enjoys working with young girls as they realize their potential as people as well as runners. Liz realizes the importantance of young girls having time to be together and work through issues facing them as they grow up in today's media obsessed society. Liz joined the GOTR Board of Directors in 2008.

Kelcey Carlson is presently a reporter and anchor for WRAL-TV. She has won regional awards from The Associated Press and the Radio and Television News Directors Association for reporting on the $4 million Wake schools fraud case (with photographer Richard Adkins). She has also received AP awards for investigative reporting and use of natural sound. The Michigan Television News Photographers Association also awarded two of her stories in the categories of in-depth and feature reporting. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (with political science concentration), minor in French, 1996, Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind. Kelcey enjoys running and participating in triathlons. Give her a 5K, and she'lll run it! She has completed three triathlons and 10 marathons. Running is probably her favorite hobby. Her goal is to of complete two marathons a year. She currently lives in Raleigh with her husband Dave, son Charlie and dog Stubbs.

Deborah Boucher joined the GOTR Board in 2008 after initially (and continuing to) serving on the Fundraising Committee.  Deborah is a commercial real estate broker with Colliers Pinkard and specializes in advising end-user clients looking to acquire or dispose of space.  As a life-long participant in sports herself, 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 Raleigh, North Carolina in early 2006 with her husband Paul.

Leigh Bleecker joined the GOTR Board in 2008 and is serving as Treasurer of the board.  She also serves on the Finance committee of the Triangle United Way and on the board of the Junior League of Durham and Orange County (JLDOC), where she has been an active member for 4 years.  Volunteering with the JLDOC is where Leigh first became involved with GOTR and the GOTR 5K event.  One of Leigh’s passions is volunteering and helping children, which is demonstrated by her commitment as a 7 year camp counselor for Camp Sunshine, a camp for children with Cancer.  A native of Fayetteville, NC, Leigh received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   After receiving two masters’ degrees from Georgia State University, one in Business Administration and one in Health Administration, Leigh began her journey in healthcare in Atlanta.  In 2002, she and Georgie, her Yorkie, relocated to Durham where she began working for Duke University Hospital and is the Director of Finance.  She received the Triangle Business Journal’s leadership award for “Top 40 under 40” in 2007.   Looking forward to the upcoming year, she is excited about participating in GOTR, a wonderful organization that has such a positive influence on young girls.

Jay Harris joined the board of directors as a member at large in 2007. His personal goal while serving is to help with the fundraising efforts so that GOTR will be able to reach all girls who are interested in the program. Professionally Jay is the president of Harris Incorporated, a locally owned and operated family Anheuser-Busch distributorship. The family business has been in operation serving the: Durham, Person, Orange Counties as well as Pittsboro since 1975. He has served on the National Beer Wholesalers board for 4 years and the North Carolina Beer and Wine wholesalers board for 8 years. Personally Jay is happily married to his wife Julie of 15 years. They have 3 active children, two boys and one girl. Mason is currently enjoying her second season with GOTR at Durham Academy. The Harris family is a running family with Jay completing 3 marathons in the last year, Julie logging over 1300 miles per year for the last several years and the two older children having enjoyed their first race experiences in 2006. Jay says "running is a way for the family to spend time together while leading the kids to a healthy lifestyle".