Girls on the Run of Puget Sound
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Michelle Banks, President
Tracy Bos, Secretary
Erin Kenny, Treasurer
Eleanor Bradley, Immediate Past President
Dana Viernes, Past President
Jill Anderson
Jo Bader
Michelle Burton
Kim Eiring
Lori Harris
Ninica (Niki) Howard
Doug Jackson
Rebecca Gerben Mehta
Chelsea Petersen
About Our Board of Directors
Michelle Banks, President
Michelle Banks serves as the Board President Girls on the Run of Puget Sound. In her role, she leads a core of dedicated volunteers that provides governance and strategic direction to GOTR Puget Sound. She believes it’s a true honor to work with such talented volunteers and staff that help make a transformative difference for girls in the Puget Sound area.
During the days (and often evenings) Michelle works as a Director of Major Gifts for the Virginia Mason Foundation. Her work involves encouraging donors to support Virginia Mason Medical Center and its various affiliates. Michelle spent the last twelve years working in development for higher education focusing on annual giving, major giving and capital campaigns. In addition, Michelle has a non-profit marketing background and has worked for the American Red Cross, The Media Institute (Washington D.C.) and several small nonprofits in the Midwest.
Michelle joined the board of GOTRPS in December 2010 because she believes passionately in the mission and hopes GOTRPS will inspire a generation of young women to live healthy lives. In addition, she is a runner and wanted to combine her professional work in fundraising with an organization that mentors young women in a positive way. Michelle sees the growth of GOTRPS in recent years as an inspiration and a motivator for the entire board.
Tracy Bos, Secretary
Tracy finds great strength in running. It is a tool she herself uses to mitigate the daily pressures of life — and to foster healthy attitudes and self-confidence. The mission and vision of Girls on the Run matches beautifully with her desire to connect with young girls in her community — introducing them to the power of running. Tracy is thrilled to participate in the growth and enrichment of Girls on the Run of Puget Sound through her Board service. Prior to joining the Board she served GOTRPS as a coach, running buddy and in various other volunteer capacities. Tracy works in marketing for Safeco Insurance Member of Liberty Mutual Group and is a graduate of the University of Washington.
Erin Kenny, Treasurer
Erin remembers the first race she entered at a local community center when she was seven. She ran as fast as she could then drank a pepsi at the finish line and threw up. She learned something about cola that day, and picked up a lifelong love of running, which now includes half marathons. She got involved with GOTR as a running buddy and currently sits on the board where she leverages her experience as a consultant with Alvarez & Marsal to help with finance and development. Erin is excited to be part of a program that helps girls at a formative age learn lessons that can last a lifetime.
Eleanor Bradley, Immediate Past President
Eleanor comes from a family of runners (in fact, her father, mother, sister, brother, sister-in-law, husband, cousin and aunt all ran the Marine Corps Marathon to celebrate her father’s 60th birthday). The mission of GOTR resonates with Eleanor because of the importance of running in her own life, her belief in the need to counter the mounting pressures on young women, and the fact that she is now raising twin girls. Prior to joining the board, Eleanor was involved with Girls on the Run of Puget Sound as a coach and committee volunteer. Eleanor works at Expedia where she leads small business marketing and has an MBA from Wharton.
Dana Viernes, Past President
Dana Viernes is General Manager of Brands at Carry Gear Solutions, a Seattle-based product design and manufacturing company. In that capacity, she is responsible for the overall vision and planning for her business category, along with sales and marketing. She is also heavily involved in the company’s strategic planning. She has been at Carry Gear for 12 years and has also held positions as Designer, Product Manager, and General Manager of their Asia offices.
Dana first learned about Girls on the Run in 2007 and knew immediately that she had found an organization that spoke to her on a personal level. The combination of physical activity and the program’s focus on empowering girls at such a critical stage in life resonated with her. She became involved with Girls on the Run of Puget Sound in 2007 as program coach and running buddy. She joined the Board in 2008 and has served as Vice President of Strategic Planning and Board President. She is currently the Board Development Co-Chair.
Dana has been fortunate to be in the presence of amazing, confident women throughout her life. She grew up with a wonderful mother and two fabulous sisters, and then graduated from Smith College. She is passionate about creating a world where every girl/woman is confident, strong and empowered. She is now raising her very own 2-year old girl on the run.
Jill Anderson
Jill Anderson first learned of Girls on the Run in 2010 and she knew immediately she wanted to contribute to the goals of the organization. She joined the 5K Committee in 2011 and has successfully led three consecutive 5Ks as a co-chair. Helping plan and execute the 5K races solidified her commitment to the tenants of GOTRPS. She joined Board in 2013, inspired by the growth of the organization over the last two years motivated by the endless possibilities for the future of Girls on the Run Puget Sound.
A a graduate of the University of Washington, Jill studied Law, Societies, and Justice and was also a Spanish major. Her courses there taught her the importance of community involvement and volunteering. After graduation, Jill worked for Philips Healthcare and she is now a Transportation Analyst at Starbucks Coffee Company. She enjoys all sorts of physical activity, including running, yoga and Cross Fit.
She strives to do her best for Girls on the Run because she wishes a program like this had existed when she was in elementary school. She believes positive self image is the most important tool for young girls and women.
Jo Bader
Jo Bader rediscovered running after a 25 year hiatus. Tired of feeling tired and overweight, she trained with a girlfriend for the 2008 Seattle Half Marathon. The experience reignited a love of running that drives her today. She ran three marathons in the past year and engages in volunteer activities that combine her love of running with a passion for helping women, youth, and girls.
Jo first became involved with Girls on the Run in 2009. Volunteering as a running buddy and coach, and helping out with the 5Ks and Auction have all been great experiences, so Jo is thrilled to join the GOTR board this year.
When she’s not pounding the pavement, Jo works in sales enablement for F5 Networks, a Seattle-based company that is a global leader in Application Delivery Networking. (Translation: She has mad computer skills and isn’t afraid to use them!) She also loves traveling and sharing new experiences with her husband, like wine and cheese making and sailing. She has a son and a daughter who are both in college and is enjoying watching them develop into confident and happy adults.
Michelle Burton
I first learned of Girls on the Run in 2007 while living in California. At the time it was my goal to help write grants for the organization. It wasn’t until 2009 when I moved back to Texas that I looked up GOTR and still had the strong desire to get involved. I wanted to serve as a mentor for young girls and believed the 8-11 age range is when girls are most impressionable. In 2009 I joined the GOTR Board in Dallas, Texas, serving as Vice Chair, Chair of the Fundraising Committee, and worked on securing grants for the organization. In 2011 I moved to Seattle. While running in Seward Park I came across the GOTR banner for the Fall 5K. I immediately made the connection and wanted to see how I could get involved again. For the past year I have been working on the Girls on the Run SoleMates committee. And it has been quite an enjoyable experience!
Through Girls on the Run and SoleMates I actually found a love for running myself. Up until this point I had never run before in my life. While training with SoleMates I found myself wanting to go further and further with my running. I ran my first half marathon in San Antonio in 2010. And after crossing the finish line I was ready to sign up for the next race. Since then, I have run two marathons and 7 half marathons. My goal is to run an ultra-marathon one day.
I currently work for Nordstrom as a Financial Planner in Women’s Apparel. Previous to that I have worked for companies such as J.C.Penney and Sally Beauty Company. I like to stay active physically and mentally. My favorite past times are running, pilates, and yoga. I am forever committed to Girls on the Run and while I know our primary goal is to transform young girls’ lives, I feel as if I have been transformed myself! I have learned the importance of healthy living, loving yourself, and being who you are in your own skin! And the joy I see on the girls’ faces (and parents) after every 5K is enough to make me committed for life!
Kim Eiring
On a golf trip in Arizona, Kim bumped into a Girls on the Run booth at a street festival. The mission and message was so on-point that Kim came home and immediately joined as a volunteer coach. Kim has been coaching now for several years and joined the board in the spring of 2012.
“The change I see in these girls over the course of a season and from when they
join us in 3rd grade to when they leave us in 5th, is absolutely amazing. Shy girls become leaders, girls from various socio-economic backgrounds make lasting friendships and these girls learn to accept and embrace what makes them unique. To watch these girls set and achieve a goal by running in a 5K is a very precious moment.”
Kim is a runner herself and has completed several marathons and half marathons. Kim works as the Chief Financial Officer at Sparling, Inc., a local engineering and technology consulting firm. Kim is also involved with many other child-centric community organizations when she isn’t spending time with her family.
Kim currently serves as the Chair of the Volunteer Appreciation Committee and as a member of the Finance Committee.
Lori Harris
Photo and Bio coming soon.
Ninica (Niki) Howard
Ninica Howard, Niki, is a recent and welcomed addition to the Board and the Program Committee. Niki is also a volunteer Running Buddy – which she absolutely loves to do! As an occupational health and safety researcher, Niki has dedicated her career to determine the causes and solutions to occupational injuries. This requires listening and observing carefully and working with diverse groups of people ranging from fellow researchers, workers, managers, company owners, and health professionals. She also assesses the effectiveness of occupational safety programs. Niki feels that her industry experience will allow her to make contributions to the GOTR BOD, particularly with the 2011-2012 goals of quality and metrics. With her knowledge and skills, she can assist the organization in supporting the girls it serves and the volunteers who participate, as well as promoting the mission of the program.
“I have volunteered for several organizations over the years but I never felt like it was good fit. When a girlfriend sent me an email asking for running buddies and coaches and I read about GOTR, I knew I had found the right fit. GOTR marries two aspects that are extremely important to me, being physically active and helping kids, more specifically girls. After volunteering as a running buddy for the first time, I knew that I wanted to contribute more to this organization.
I have always been physically active. And when I was growing up and had rough times, sports were my constant. I’ve developed confidence, self-esteem and a sense of self through physical activity. It has taught me team work, companionship and sharing. I have met my closest and dearest friends through sports. I understand the importance that physical activity can have in a girl’s life, one that goes beyond being healthy and fit and I believe that GOTR teaches this. There are so many influences, both good and bad, on a girl’s life and GOTR is a positive one that can have an impact for the rest of their lives.”
Rebecca Gerben Mehta
Rebecca has been a volunteer with Girls on the Run since 2002. Her dedication to this organization led her to join the board in Seattle in 2012. She currently serves as Chair of the Marketing/PR committee.
Rebecca cannot recall a time in her life when sports did not play a major role. Some of her earliest memories include playing outdoor games with the neighborhood kids, golfing with her dad, and training for 5Ks with her mom. She believes sports – both individual and team – teach not only what you’re capable of, but also challenge you to achieve even greater things than you ever felt possible. She loves how Girls on the Run helps girls learn life lessons through active experiences, culminating in the girls completing their first 5K – something that provides the girls with a great sense of accomplishment and confidence. Given her experiences watching girls become more confident, self-aware, and physically and emotionally strong during the program, Rebecca has fully bought into the power of the curriculum and looks to share the message of Girls on the Run with anyone who will listen.
Rebecca works in product marketing for Adobe. She has a BA from University of Notre Dame and a MBA from the University of Chicago. Rebecca is thrilled to bring her business skills, passion for health and fitness, and desire to empower girls in her community to Girls on the Run Puget Sound.
Douglass L. Jackson, DMD, MS, PhD
Dr. Jackson is the Chief of the Center for Diversity and Health Equity at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The Center integrates research, education, advocacy and service in support of Seattle Children’s overall quest to eliminate pediatric health disparities. Prior to joining Children’s in 2008, Doug was the Associate Dean and the Delta Dental/Washington Dental Service Endowed Professor of Educational Partnerships and Diversity at the University of Washington’s School of Dentistry. After seeing GOTRPS’s commitment to serving a more diverse group of girls, Doug started consulting informally with the program staff in 2009 and joined the Board the following year. Doug has been a member of the Program Committee and currently serves as its Chair. He and the committee are directing a lot of their effort in 2013 on developing a program survey in collaboration with Washington State University that assesses changes in participant’s emotional self-efficacy, physical self-worth and other constructs across the ten-week curriculum. This analysis will provide an evidence-based synopsis of the program’s quality and help the Board identify opportunities for program improvement and help guide GOTRPS’s measured growth strategy.
Chelsea Petersen
Growing up, Chelsea was the smallest kid in every class and on every team. Not content to be side-lined, she found a sport where her size was an attribute: coxing a local crew team. The fact that the position required her to tell big kids what to do was an added bonus. A few key rowing coaches helped her find her voice and self-confidence during some difficult times and, after competing at an elite level for eight years, she became a coach herself. When she retired from rowing she began running. And, after the birth of her daughter, she started thinking hard about what kind of support young girls need to thrive. While training for a half-marathon in the spring of 2010 she volunteered as a Running Buddy and fell in love with Girls on the Run because the curriculum reinforces essential life lessons in such a wonderfully healthy and fun way. She became a member of the Board in the fall of 2010.
