Girls on the Run of Portland Metro is fortunate to have a diverse and dynamic team of leaders, advisors and coaches. Everyone involved in this organization is passionate about helping girls grow into strong, healthy and self-confident young women who can embrace their unique gifts and talents.

Board of Directors: 

Nancy Fleck, President and head coach, is passionate about affecting young lives for the better. It is this drive that helped create the Portland Metro chapter of Girls on the Run. She has a strong belief in the power of a young woman who is physically, emotionally and intellectually healthy as a vehicle for positive change. Nancy is Production Manager at Carol Wilson Fine Arts and a lifelong resident of Portland.  She loves being active and spending time with her daughter, who is anxiously awaiting her 8th birthday so she can be a "girl on the run" too.

Beth Madden, Vice President and Running Buddy Coordinator, is the owner of Madden Industrial Craftsmen, Inc’s Seattle Franchise.  Madden Industrial Craftsmen, Inc. is a staffing service focused on matching top talent with top clients in the manufacturing construction and facility maintenance sectors.  Prior to opening this operation in 2003, she had 18 years experience in operations improvement consulting for a variety of for profit and not-for-profit organizations.  She looks forward to engaging many more volunteers as the Portland Metro council continues to grow.

Kerry Rae Connolly, Secretary and head coach, brings years of experience initiating and managing youth programs through community-based school partnerships. Most recently she spent five years implementing Youth and Family Programs for the Portland Family YMCA. She brings her passion for youth, education and health and fitness to the program and enjoys facilitating the group discussions, believing that every girl has a voice that deserves to be heard.

Stephanie Bond, Treasurer, discovered Girls on the Run as a running buddy and later served as a coach for a greater opportunity to be involved with the program.  She is a running convert; after completing the Portland Marathon as a walker she wished to go further, faster!  Believing firmly that Girls on the Run encourages that enthusiasm is young girls, she is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board.

Kristin Mihalko, board member and running buddy, brings her 10 plus years of fundraising experience to an organization she has admired since the local chapter’s inception. An avid runner and a true believer in the positive outcomes of self empowerment and healthy living, she is extremely proud to be involved with Girls on the Run.  Kristin currently oversees fundraising and external relations for the School of Business at Portland State University. Born and raised in San Francisco, she calls Portland home and looks forward to continuing to help provide her community with educational and growth opportunities.

Megan Bruce, Volunteer Coordinator/Community Liaison,  Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has experience in community mental health as well as multiple school systems in both Washington and Oregon.  Megan got her start with the program as a Running Buddy.  Incorporating her own enjoyment of physical activity and seeing a positive connection between mental health and physical health - GOTR is prevention at its best!  Megan owns a small mental health practice in NE Portland in addition to working as a School Counselor at Central Catholic HS.

Alexa Shook, Board Member, is as passionate about running as she is about helping out in her community.  As a native Oregonian, Alexa seeks out opportunities that aim to build a healthier future for Oregon and its residents.  Over the past ten years, Alexa has worked as a healthcare marketing communications executive to help improve the access of health and wellness programs.  Alexa resides in Portland with her husband, their twin boys and their dog – all of whom keep her running all day long.

Ann Smith, Board member and Running Buddy, is passionate about empowering girls to be strong and dream big.  Having grown up competing in cross-country and track, Ann has long appreciated the power of running and the self-confidence boost it provides; seeing girls experience that same happiness through their involvement with Girls on the Run is almost too amazing to describe.  She owns the PR consultancy, A.wordsmith, and has more than 11 years experience in the strategic communications industry.  In her starring role, Ann is a mom to two young daughters.