Sara Pickard and Julia Stanley

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, so she welcomes the 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 in the banking industry, Sara was also involved in the Madison Apprenticeship Program, which assists young adults in entering the workforce for the first time. Originally from Minneapolis, Sara earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.  An active runner, Sara identifies with the GOTR vision of helping girls feel empowered and confident through physical activity.  The best parts of her job are visiting the program sites to see the girls in action and celebrating their success throughout the season.  Sara has one adult son living in Chicago and she and her husband Doug live in Waunakee.

Julia Stanley, Director of Programming
Julia returns to Girls on the Run to gladly fill this new position, overseeing strategic program growth.  As one of the founding members of the Dane County coalition of GOTR, she has served in several past roles, including Executive Director, coach, board member and parent. Julia graduated from the University of Illinois earning her bachelor's degree in English and received a master's degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago. As an avid runner, Julila understands the strong benefits of lacing up the shoes and hitting the street for physical, emotional, and spiritual health. She is thrilled that GOTR shares this message with so many girls. Julia lives in Madison with her husband, Craig, son and two daughters.

Christine Benedict, Board Chair
Christine joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the summer of 2007 and assumed the role of Board Chair in 2009.  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 Stoughton.

Board Members
Annie Ballweg
Kristine Boerboom
Theola Carter
Sheila Conroy
Nancy Daly
Mindi Giftos
Jennifer Hoyt
Amy Rohn
Britt Ryan
Kris Simon
Elizabeth van der Weide

Annie Ballweg
Annie joined the board of Girls on the Run in the fall of 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 while living in California, Annie 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.  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. Currently, Annie serves as Race Director for our New Balance Girls on the Run 5K event.  Annie and her husband Sam, along with their three young children, live in Waunakee.

Kristine Boerboom
Kristine joined the board of Girls on the Run in the spring of 2011 and serves as the Board Treasurer. She is a supervisor in the Assurance departmentof Wegner CPA's & Consultants, specializing in audits of non-profits, co-op's and pension plans. Kristine received a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Winona State University and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In addition to having a CPA designation, she is also a Certified Management Accountant and a member of the Institute of Management Accountants. Kristine is a recreational runner and has completed her first half-marathon. She is also actively involved in a fitness bootcamp program and enjoys yoga. In her spare time Kristine enjoys biking, swimming, cooking and time at her cottage in Northern Wisconsin. Kristine lives in Sun Prairie with her husband Todd, and their two young daughters.

Theola Carter
Theola joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the fall of 2009 and currently serves on the governance committee.  She has also served as a GOTR coach for two seasons at the Goodman Community Center.  Theola holds a bachelor's degree in History from Fisk University and a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin LaFollette Institute of Public Affairs.  She is Section Chief with the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Division of Worker's Compensation.  Theola is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and is further engaged in the community by serving as chair of the City of Madison's Affirmative Action Commission, as Associate Director on Dane County Credit Union's board of directors and was recently appointed to the board of directors for Wisconsin Women in Government.  She is dedicated to giving back to the community and strives to present a strong role model and mentoring relationship to area youth.  In her free time Theola enjoys daily exercise and performing in community theater.  She lives in Madison with her goddaughter and namesake, Theola, visiting from the Republic of the Congo - Brazzaville.

Nancy Daly
Nancy joined the Board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the fall of 2009. She graduated with a degree in early childhood/elementary education in one of the first classes of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Four years after moving to Madison in 1975, Nancy co-founded the Tenney Nursery & Parent Center where she served as director and teacher for nearly 25 years. Since then she has worked at Monroe Street Fine Arts Center teaching "Fabric Storyscapes" and as an artist-in-residence around Wisconsin helping elementary school groups of 300-500 students create large thematic mural quilts.  Currently, Nancy coordinates the "Hat Ladies (and Men)" who yearly sew and donate approximately 2500 fleece hats to needy children and families. Nancy was introduced to GOTR through her daughter, Mary, then a varsity runner at West High School. Although not a runner herself, Nancy works out at the YMCA nearly every day and loves to bike, having recently completed her third century ride in Door County. She enjoys knitting, needlepoint and quilting, caregiving for elderly friends, and a quiet afternoon in the garden.  Nancy, with her son and daughter in college, lives in Madison with her husband, Pete.

Mindi Giftos
Mindi joined the Board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the spring of 2011.  She started a local GOTR chapter in her home town of Cottage Grove and remains the site liaison and an active coach in the program.   Mindi is an attorney at Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek and specializes in intellectual property and intellectual property litigation.  She is also the president of the board of directors for Avenues to Community, an organization that provides support services to developmentally disabled adults.  Mindi is an avid runner and loves having the opportunity to combine her favorite sport with building the confidence and self-esteem of young girls.  She has also supported GOTR through the SoleMates charity fundraising program. Mindi lives in Cottage Grove with her husband, John, and their two young sons.

Jennifer Hoyt
Jennifer joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the spring of 2011. She currently works as an Early Childhood Education consultant and is a substitute teacher in the Madison public schools. Jennifer previously worked as a certified-Montessori teacher for 13 years at Woodland Montessori School, most recently as its Director. She has a degree in Child Life Education and Early Childhood/Special Education from Edgewood College. Jennifer began running competitively in high school for the cross country team and continues to run today. Between her time as a Girls on the Run volunteer and Girl Scout leader, Jennifer has devoted many hours to working with young girls. Based on her experience working with children for the past 18 years, Jennifer sees Girls on the Run as a very beneficial opportunity for young girls in the community. Jennifer and her husband Josh live in Madison with their 3 young children.

Amy Rohn
Amy joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in 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 the Madison area for more than seven years. Amy has completed two marathons, several half-marathons and even a few sprint triathlons. These days, the running that she enjoys most is when coaching at the GOTR Oregon site, in addition to running after the two young boys in her life. Amy and her husband David live in Oregon, Wisconsin.

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 and head of the Personnel Committee.  Britt holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in School Psychology from Tufts University.  Britt and her husband Adam came to Madison in 2003.  They adopted their daughter from China in 2007 and their son from Korea in 2010.  An avid athlete, Britt has coached field hockey, enjoys tennis, has completed two Chicago Marathons and hopes to return as a coach for our Girls on the Run once life with two little ones settles down a bit.

Kris Simon
Kris joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the spring of 2011 after serving as site liaison and volunteer coach for GOTR for two seasons at Kennedy Elementary School. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business and an MBA, both from Edgewood College. As the mother of two children and wife of an Ironman, Kris knows the importance of health, wellness and self-confidence in one's life. Before becoming a mother, she was Vice President of Operations for Century 21 Affiliated, where she successfully sells real estate today. In her free time Kris enjoys running, biking, travelling and voluntering. Kris lives in Madison with her husband Jeff, son Reid and daughter Dylan.

Elizabeth van der Weide
Elizabeth joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the spring of 2011 after serving as head coach for GOTR for three seasons at the Allied Boys & Girls Club. She holds a Ph.D in Chemistry from the University of Florida.  Elizabeth works for the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee as Coordinator for the Haiti Project, an international outreach mission, working in a community in rural Haiti to improve the lives of children through education and health programs.   Elizabeth's passions are centered around the mental, physical and emotional well-being of children, especially young girls, recognizing the importance of meeting young people where they are. In her free time Elizabeth enjoys running, biking, yoga and reading. Elizabeth lives in Madison with her husband Dan; step-children Noah, Jonah, and Silke; and her cat Nessie.