Executive Director Sara Pickard

Sara Pickard, Executive Director
Sara joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County as treasurer in 2005 and assumed the role of Executive Director in December 2007, leaving the banking industry after nearly 20 years.  Sara has a strong passion for social issues addressing the needs of women, children and families and welcomes this career change as an opportunity to more closely align her business experience with her social interests. Active in the community, Sara previously served as both president and treasurer of her PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization for women) chapter.  While working in the banking industry, Sara was also involved in the Madison Apprenticeship Program. Originally from Minneapolis, Sara earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.  An active runner, Sara identifies with the program's vision of helping girls feel confident about themselves through physical activity and loves to help celebrate the girls' success throughout the season.  Sara has one adult son living in Chicago.  Sara and her husband Doug live in Madison.

Heather Clefisch, Board Chair
Heather joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the fall of 2005 and is the Board Chair.  She also heads the Policy Committee.  She is an associate attorney at LaFollette, Godfrey & Kahn, specializing in corporate and real estate law.  Heather currently serves on the Board of Directors for Wisconsin Women in Government.  In 2003, she received an award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service from the Legal Aid Society in New York City and the Patricia Roberts Harris Award for Excellence in Pro Bono.  Heather is very excited about serving an organization dedicated to supporting and improving the self-esteem of young girls.  She received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Luther College and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison.  Heather and her husband Nate live in Madison and just welcomed their first child, a son, in 2008.

Board Members
Annie Ballweg
Christine Benedict
Jennifer Collins
Rita Riehemann
Amy Rohn
Angela Russell
Britt Ryan
Julia Stanley
Elizabeth Wewerka
Patricia Wheeler
Carleen Wild

Annie Ballweg
Annie joined the board of Girls on the Run in 2008. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master's degree in school counseling from Boston University. She was a high school counselor in Malibu, California and it was while she was living in California that she also worked for Nike and became a certified fitness instructor. In 2004, she moved back to Madison where she served as an academic advisor at the UW athletic department. Meanwhile, she started an online business that trains clients for triathlons and running events. Annie is a marathon runner and triathlete, and continues to train clients worldwide.  In the community, Annie is a board member for the Endres Manufacturing Company Foundation, is on the advisory board for BluePrint Student-Athlete Services, is a member of the Junior League of Madison, and has worked on special fundraising committees. Annie and her husband Sam, along with their son, live in Waunakee.


Christine Benedict
Christine joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the summer of 2007.  She is the Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Edgewood College. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biology and French from Lawrence University and her master's degree in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University. Christine ran NCAA Division III cross country and track for 4 years at Lawrence University and was a member of the Indiana Track Club throughout her time in graduate school.  As she started her own running career at age 12, she is particularly passionate about helping to introduce young girls to the sport of running.  Christine and her husband Eric live in Fitchburg.

Jennifer Collins
Jenni joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in 2008.  Jenni is the Director of Development & External Relations for Madison Children's Museum. She joined the MCM staff in 2007, bringing with her 15 years of fundraising experience. Jenni came to Madison from New York City and has worked in senior positions with cultural institutions such as the Brooklyn Children's Museum, Weeksville Heritage Center, and New York Hall of Science. She was also an adjunct lecturer for the School of Public Affairs at Baruch College in New York City. In the community, Jenni is a board member of Madison Breakfast Rotary, and serves as the Social Committee Co-Chair. She is on the Program Committee for the Greater Madison Association of Fundraising Professionals. In her free time, Jenni enjoys gardening and running.  Jenni and her husband Chris, along with their two young daughters, live in Madison.
 
Amy Rohn
Amy joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in January 2007. She currently oversees the Board's marketing activities. Amy is a public relations account director at the Madison-based marketing firm, Lindsay, Stone & Briggs. Originally from the East Coast, Amy has enjoyed living in Madison for more than five years. Amy has completed two marathons, several half-marathons and even a few sprint triathlons. These days, the running that she enjoys most is running after her toddler son and four-year old stepson.  Amy and her husband David live in Oregon, Wisconsin.

Angela Russell
Angela Russell joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the summer of 2007 and has chaired the Board's fundraising event, the Sneaker Soiree.  Angela is the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Executive Assistant where she advises DCF Secretary Reggie Bicha and Governor Jim Doyle on legislative and policy matters and manages key agency activities such as agency outreach and communications. Angela received her Master's of Science in Population Health with a focus on epidemiology and health policy from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.  In 1999, she received her Bachelor's of Science with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Health Care Studies from Beloit College. In her free time, Angela enjoys running, knitting and gardening.  Angela and her husband Andy live in Madison and just welcomed their first child, a son, in 2008.

Britt Ryan
Britt originally joined Girls on the Run of Dane County as a coach for three seasons before coming on board as co-Executive Director in January 2007.  Britt was appointed to the board in 2008 and serves as Volunteer Coordinator.  Britt holds a Bachelors Degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and a Masters Degree in School Psychology from Tufts University .  Britt and her husband Adam came to Madison in 2003.  They have recently adopted their first child, a beautiful daughter from China.  An avid athlete, Britt has coached field hockey, enjoys tennis, has completed two Chicago Marathons and continues to volunteer as a coach for our GOTR Edgewood site.

Julia Stanley
Julia is one of the founding members of Girls on the Run of Dane County and heads the Community Partnership Committee. Her background is in community service, with experience in public relations. Prior to moving to Madison, Julia served as the Coalition Leader for the Chicagoland SAFE KIDS Coalition and as an administrator at the University of Chicago Children's Hospital. Julia earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago. An avid runner, she greatly believes in the spiritual and emotional benefits of throwing on a pair of running shoes and hitting the pavement.  Julia and her husband Craig, along with their three young children, live in Madison.