Board

Melissa Berrier

Race Director for Nashville’s Girls on the Run 5k on May 9, 2009

1. What are your favorite running sounds? (favorite running song) “I’m gonna take that Mountain” -Reba McEntire

2. Favorite place to run- outside

3. Why are you involved with GOTR? I like the aspect of the program that empowers the girls by giving them knowledge, life skills, and a sense of accomplishment. I like knowing that the girls can become strong women.

4. What is your favorite part of GOTR? The girls! Their sweaty, smiling faces. Their energy and excitement. Their insight, friendship, and innocence. Their determination.

Rachel Biber

1. Favorite running quote- “Runners are real people. They don’t run for money or recognition, they do it out of passion.” -Dean Karnazes

2. Who is your running hero? Wendi Parker-Dial (a close friend and amazing inspiration!)

3. What are your favorite running sounds? Running on fallen leaves on the trail.

4. Favorite place to run- Downtown Nashville around the pedestrian bridge.

5. Why are you involved with GOTR? Because of the amazing young girls I encounter.

6. What is your favorite part of GOTR? My favorite part is witnessing the girls realize how each one them is an amazing runner and friend.

Jessica Bliss

Reporter, The Tennessean newspaper

1. Favorite running quote- “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” -Will Rogers

2. Who is your running hero? The daily doers. Anyone who takes time out of the daily grind to accomplish a goal, whether it’s walking one mile or running 100.

3. Do you like to listen to music while you are running? Usually, I can’t survive the miles without music. When I am running with a goal in mind, my strides often match the beat of the latest Top 40 hits. But there are times when I run on the greenway near my house and let the hum of nature serve as my soundtrack. That is when I enjoy running the most.

4. Favorite place to run- Any place that I didn’t run the day before. I get bored easily.

5. Why are you involved with GOTR? It inspires positive change where it is needed most, with kids. It is impossible not to be won over by GOTR’s mission, and those girls’ smiles are enough to make anyone’s heart soar. Being part of an organization where I can take my passion for running and redirect it in such a positive way is amazing. I can’t imagine anything better.

6. What is your favorite part of GOTR? The people and the difference they make in each other’s lives. The girls, women, and men involved in our organization are amazing.

Ann Butterworth

Assistant to Comptroller, State of Tennessee

1. Favorite running quote- On back of tee-shirt: “Yes, I run like a girl AND I am in front of you.”

2. Who is your running hero? My running partner, Jenny Magill, who runs ultra’s.

3. What are your favorite running sounds? Anything with a good beat- from jazz to rap.

4. Favorite place to run- Outside and not school tracks!

Love to run when I travel, whether business or pleasure, since you really get the feel for a new place when you explore on feet rather than by car.

5. Why are you involved with GOTR? Jennifer and her enthusiasm. I love that GOTR gives me the ability to participate in encouraging girls to develop to their highest potential, both physically and emotionally.

6. What is your favorite part of GOTR? Seeing the looks on the girls at the finish line of the 5K.

Kenny Griffin

CEO, Focus Media Consultants

Janet Jernigan

Executive Director, FiftyForward

1. Favorite running quote– Hebrews 12:1 “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

2. Who is your running hero? Several of the local female older runners including Valera Jones, Margie Stoll and Helen Reed.

3. What are your favorite running sounds? Usually it’s the absence of sound – such as no vicious dogs barking.

4. Favorite place to run- I enjoy running in the Big South Fork National Recreational Area where we have a cabin or on any of the greenways through the woods or around lakes.

5. Why are you involved with GOTR? For the first part of my career I worked in the field of children’s mental health and Girls on the Run allows me to combine my interest in nurturing the self esteem of young girls with my passion for running.

6. What is your favorite part of GOTR? Having an opportunity to work with other runners and running advocates to promote a very worthwhile program.

Jacklyn Johnston

Children’s Publicist, Thomas Nelson

1. Favorite running quote- “Runners are doers by nature– we’re not content to sit and let life happen passively…When my next moment comes, I want to be strong and centered enough to handle it with some measure of grace. But perhaps even more importantly, I want to be fast enough to be first on the scene when a loved one needs me, and I want to be fit enough to help carry their load for as long as it takes to reach the other side.” Kristin Armstrong

2. Who is your running hero? People who run any distance because they enjoy it, those out there everyday hitting the pavement for the love of it.

3. What are your favorite running sounds? My ipod breaking has been the best thing for me recently. I love the open quiet while running. It’s detox from a busy day and my time to think.

4. Favorite place to run- The winding roads in between blossoming cherry tree orchards and the lake up in Northport, Michigan

5. Why are you involved with GOTR? I went once and was hooked. The message being taught to these girls is so important and makes such a difference in their lives. We are a small part of preparing these girls to be strong and confident, whether that be in school, sports or life. It’s a powerful thing.

6. What is your favorite part of GOTR? I love that I started doing this because I wanted to give something back but then soon found out it’s the girls who teach me! They teach me to have fun, that you can do anything you put your mind to. They constantly bring smiles and laughter into my life. I also love everyone who’s involved and their heart for making a difference in the lives of those around them.

Susan Keffer

Managing Partner, McKerley & Noonan CPAs

1. Who is your running hero? My running hero is the person I run with at least 5 days a week, David Wilds who many call “coach.” He has run over 60 marathons over the past 30 years.

2. Favorite places to run- My favorite places to run are in Percy Warner Park on the trails and on the many Greenways in Nashville. They are beautiful and full of sounds of birds.

3. Why are you involved with GOTR? I am involved in GOTR because I love what it does for girls and I wish there had been a program like that when I was young. I was chubby when I was young and lacked self esteem. When I began running during my college years, I gradually got fit and along with that gained self esteem. I look forward to helping the organization grow.

Steve Keith

Vanderbilt University Head Coach Men’s and Women’s Cross Country

1. Favorite running quote- “Some people create with words, or with music, or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, “I’ve never seen anyone run like that before.” Steve Prefontaine

2. Who is your running hero? Dave Wottle (‘72 Olympic 800 Meter Champion) | Watch video

3. What are your favorite running sounds? The sounds of the start of a cross country race on a cool fall morning and the sound of your breathing just at your threshold during a steady tempo run.

4. Favorite place(s) to run- Locally, would be Percy/Edwin Warner Parks of course! Nationally, I have great runs at Moses Cone (Blowing Rock, NC), Pre’s Trail in Eugene and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

5. Why are you involved with GOTR? I am privileged to be part of a sport that can truly be a “lifetime” activity and it is fun to see young people introduced to both the challenges and rewards of running.

6. What is your favorite part of GOTR? Riding the lead bike during the practice runs and races!

Jennifer Kimball

Council Director for GOTR Nashville

1. Favorite running quote- “We’re doing it!” -Mary Orcutt

2. Who are your running heroes? Molly Barker, Deana Drossin, Joan Benoit, Mary Orcutt, Sarah Fisher, Dr. Rachel Biber, Janet Jernigan and Margie Stoll

3. What are your favorite running sounds? The wind, and birds, and the slap of my feet on the earth.

4. Favorite place to run- Definitely Mossy Ridge Percy Warner Park

5. Why are you involved with GOTR? I saw a photo of GOTR Founder Molly Barker in Runners World and she was surrounded by a sea of young girls who were all jumping up in the air with wild happy smiles on their faces. I read about the program and thought “I want to do that!”

6. What is your favorite part of GOTR? Of course the girls! The GOTR curricula makes it SO much fun to sneak in these very important life lessons as we run and play together. When they’re young, they’re really starting to figure out who they are and then over the year(s), we have the pleasure of watching the girls grow, physically and in their emotional and critical thinking, and they constantly surprise and inspire me (as well as make me laugh). I also really love sharing the GOTR experience with the incredible women (and a few incredible men) who so generously donate their time and talents in support of the girls and the program.

Grace Lilienthal

1. Favorite running quote- “Any day I am too busy to run is a day that I am too busy.” -John Bryant

2. Who is your running hero? Molly Barker

3. What are your favorite running sounds? Salsa music or silence

4. Favorite place to run- Along the coast of the Pacific Ocean

5. Why are you involved with GOTR? Running became a gem for me in high school. It helped me cope with pressures, rejoice with successes, and it was a constant reminder that I have no limitations. It will be with me for the rest of my life, and I want to share that with young girls during the most impressionable time of their lives.

6. What is your favorite part of GOTR? Giving 500 piggy-back rides per session.

Lisa Limper

Personal Trainer/Health and Safety Instructor

1. Favorite running quote- “You will never achieve anything great in life unless you dare to believe that something inside you is bigger than the circumstances you face.”

2. Who is your running hero? Margie Stoll

3. What are your favorite running sounds? Hearing the birds chirping while out on an early morning run at the park

4. Favorite place to run- The Greenway at Edwin Warner Park

5. Why are you involved with GOTR? I want girls to know that they are special and that they can participate in and love running their whole lives. It’s a great way to make friends and to learn about yourself.

6. What is your favorite part of GOTR? Seeing the girls finishing their 5k race and knowing how hard they’ve worked to accomplish their goals.