There is a lot to be excited about at Girls on the Run Serving Greater Kansas City.
As we prepare to enter our 20th year serving girls across the Kansas City metro, we’re reflecting on the leaders who have helped us reach this milestone while welcoming a new group of board members who will help shape what comes next.
This past weekend, our Board of Directors gathered for an offsite focused on connection, collaboration and the future of GOTRKC. It was an opportunity to celebrate the progress we’ve made, align around our priorities and build on the incredible momentum carrying us forward.
And we have big goals ahead.
As we enter our 20th year, our goal is to serve more than 3,400 girls across the Kansas City metro area—giving even more girls the opportunity to build confidence, develop meaningful connections and discover their own strength.
Welcoming Our New Board Members
We are excited to welcome seven new members to the Girls on the Run Kansas City Board of Directors:
Jessica Houlton — JE Dunn
Jim Jackson — Ozark Ready Mix
Kamera Meaney — University Health
Our incoming board members bring a range of professional experience, community connections and, importantly, personal connections to the Girls on the Run mission.
For Jessica Houlton, joining the board is a return to an organization she first experienced as a coach more than a decade ago.
“My connection to Girls on the Run goes back more than 10 years, when I had the opportunity to coach for several seasons. I loved seeing girls build confidence, make connections and discover what they were capable of. Coming back to Girls on the Run as a board member feels like a full-circle opportunity—to give back to an organization I believe in and help create those same experiences for even more girls in our community.”
For Kamera Meaney, serving on the board brings together her passion for running and giving back.
“Serving on the Girls on the Run board means combining two things I love—running and giving back—to help girls discover self-confidence, grit and perseverance. Running has taught me that resilience is built one mile and one challenge at a time. I’m excited to be a part of an organization helping girls discover that same strength in themselves.”
Jim Jackson sees the power and potential for the mission. His thoughts, "I feel the Girls on the Run program goes beyond running. The program encourages the participants to believe in themselves, set goals, and recognize their own strengths. All of which are so important in everyday life and their future careers. I hope to bring my operational skills from my business to help support the organization."
Those connections are part of what makes CEO Gina Lichte so optimistic about the year ahead.
“I’m hopeful for the year ahead. We have the right board members in place to accelerate our growth and build on the momentum happening across Girls on the Run Kansas City.”
As GOTRKC prepares to enter its 20th year serving the Kansas City metro, that leadership will be especially important as we work toward our goal of serving more than 3,400 girls.
Celebrating the Leaders Who Helped Get Us Here
As we welcome new leadership, we also want to recognize three board members whose service to GOTRKC is coming to a close:
Tara Hensley
Jon Yen
Greg Valdovino
We are deeply grateful for the time, expertise, advocacy and leadership they have given to Girls on the Run Kansas City.
Board service often happens behind the scenes, but its impact can be felt throughout our organization. From strengthening community relationships and supporting fundraising efforts to providing strategic guidance and championing our mission, our board members play an important role in helping GOTRKC reach more girls each year.
Tera, John and Greg have each been part of that work, and we thank them for helping move our mission forward.
The Right People at the Right Time
Our board offsite was more than a meeting. It was a chance to look around the room and recognize the strength of the people who have chosen to invest their time, talents and connections in the future of Girls on the Run.
Our continuing board includes leaders from across the Kansas City community and organizations including Prime Health Foundation, Garmin, Amazon, Spotlight AR, The Illig Family Enterprise Co., Forvis Mazars and others. Many also have personal connections to GOTRKC as coaches, volunteers, sponsors, event participants and SoleMates.
That matters as we think about where we are headed next.
Twenty years is an opportunity to celebrate—but it is also an opportunity to accelerate.
We want to reach more schools. Recruit more coaches. Engage more volunteers and community partners. And most importantly, create the opportunity for more than 3,400 girls to experience Girls on the Run.
We believe we have the leadership, momentum and community behind us to make it happen.
To our outgoing board members: thank you for helping us get here.
To our incoming and returning board members: let’s get to work.
And to the entire Kansas City community: we can’t wait to show you what’s next.