SUSAN FOELLINGER
COUNCIL DIRECTOR, CO-FOUNDER OF GOTR of HAMILTON COUNTY
BROKER ASSOCIATE/REALTOR FOR ERA REAL ESTATE LINKS SoldOnIndy.com
Susan Foellinger has been involved in not-profits all her life, beginning with helping her sister at Special Olympics at the age of 5 and volunteering at her local hospital as a teen. There has always been a special connection to help others, serving and giving back in her community. Susan has served in Hamilton County for the past 18 years volunteering with a variety of organizations.
Susan first learned about Molly Barker and Girls on the Run from an article in Runner’s World magazine. That article and Molly’s story inspired her to get something started right here in Hamilton County. Susan has completed several half marathons and loves to encourage others in their training and goal setting towards 13.1!
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO GOTR: “It seems that young girls struggle with “issues” at a younger and younger age- the pressure to conform and “belong”. Girls with privilege and opportunity have challenges towards higher standards to achieve and not always the resources or encouragement to deal with the stress and level of expectations that comes with those opportunities. We all need strong and confident role models and the younger the better. I have seen first hand the changes that this GOTR program can make from teaching a young girl to set goals (running her 1st 5k) to respecting herself and others; developing healthy lifestyle choices; encouraging others to achieve; understanding a sense of service beyond self and an increased level of self-esteem that guides them to better decision making and the courage to be strong and confident young women. They will then serve as role models to mentor other young girls.”
HOBBIES: Susan enjoys running (sometimes including her beagle Lucy) and boating, traveling, and reading.
HOMETOWN: Poughkeepsie, NY
KELLIE MILLER
SECRETARY
NATIONAL CORPORATE HOUSING, GENERAL MANAGER
Kellie Miller first learned about Girls on the Run (GOTR) when a dear friend (Susan Foellinger) showed her a magazine article 3 years ago. Knowing what a difference a program like GOTR can make in a girl’s life is inspiring. Reading the testimonials of the girls and seeing video o the girls has touched her heart. Every girl should have this amazing opportunity.
Her best friend Susan encouraged Kellie to start running at 40, and she truly wishes that someone had shared their experiences with her when she was younger. Running makes such a difference in her life. Since then, Kellie has run several half marathons and other smaller races, and is looking forward to running the Indianapolis Monumental 1/2 Marathon in November as a Girls on the Run Solemate.
HOBBIES : Running, Reading, biking and golf
HOMETOWN : Rochester IN
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO GOTR: ”Seeing what a difference GOTR makes in so many young lives–Knowing that we can all be a part of something that will make this world a little better is a powerful thing. Being able to invest in others is a gift and it should be treasured.”
CARRIE CROWE
Mind+Body Program and Training Manager, Girls Inc.
BACKGROUND: I have a Master’s degree in women’s history, and I have worked at Girls Inc. for almost five years, focusing on girls’ whole health, and the link between mental physical wellness, and how this link relates to girls’ self-esteem. I am also a runner, and I have completed several full and half marathons over the last five years.
HOBBIES: Running, yoga/pilates, knitting, reading.
HOMETOWN: Akron, Ohio
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO GOTR: When I initially heard about Girls on the Run and visited the website, I was thrilled to see that the mission promotes what I am so passionate about in both my personal life and my and professional life: working with girls and encouraging them to develop a strong and healthy sense of self and an increased level of confidence. I was excited to see running as the mechanism for achieving these goals, because as a runner, I am constantly amazed and grateful for the positive impacts that running has made on my own self esteem and physical well-being.
LAURA MUSALL
REALTOR, F.C.TUCKER COMPANY
Laura joined the GOTR Board in 2011. A former newspaper reporter and magazine freelance writer, Laura has about two decades experience as a writer, editor and public relations pro. She’s lived in Hamilton County 22 years, and is a former volunteer youth basketball coach and board member of the local SPORTS organization. She and her husband Mike have two children in college.
HOBBIES: Sports, gardening, reading and home improvement projects
HOMETOWN: Wolcott (a tiny rural community in northern Indiana)
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO GOTR: Once I saw the difference the program can make in the lives of girls, I wanted to get involved. As a mom of a teenage daughter, I know the harsh realities and challenges girls face, and am honored to be part of an organization working to help promote self-esteem and confidence in young girls.
BETH DUNCAN
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT, SCHAHET HOTELS
HOBBIES: working out; traveling and reading
HOMETOWN: Fishers, IN
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO GOTR: Participating in sports was an important part of my childhood and it had such a positive impact on me. When I found GOTR and learned about their values, I was so excited! There are so many negative messages out there for young girls and GOTR is spreading such a positive message that is crucial for young girls today.
KELLEY STOKESBARY
STOKESBARY LIFE CARE PLANNING LLC, CERTIFIED LIFE CARE PLANNER
Kelley is a Certified Life Care Planner with 14+ years experience as an Occupational Therapist in Critical Care and Rehabilitation units. Since she was a little girl, Kelley has always known that she would spend her adulthood helping others. She accomplishes this not only in her professional life, but she also serves and gives back through Girls on the Run, the Brain Injury Association of Indiana, and the Autism Society of Indiana.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO GOTR: Kelley was first introduced to Girls on the Run through a friend in Lexington, KY, who was serving as an assistant coach. After visiting the GOTR website and watching the video, Kelley was hooked and knew she had to become involved with the organization. At the time, Kelley’s daughter was in second-grade and was already starting to feel the pressures to conform to the “girl box.” Kelley began her involvement with GOTR as a Head Coach in Fishers. After coaching for two seasons, Kelley is thrilled to continue her involvement with GOTR as a board member. The changes she has seen in her own daughter, as well as the GOTR participants she has coached, have been remarkable! GOTR has given girls in Hamilton County the opportunity to improve their self-confidence and the skills to resist bullying and peer pressure and to seek healthy habits for life.
HOBBIES: Spending time with my husband and two children, reading, music (listening and playing), traveling with my family, cooking, and exercising
HOMETOWN: Fortville, IN
KELLY FIORENZA
BACKGROUND: Degrees in Finance and Economics, formerly in financial analysis/research now a stay at home mother to 2 wonderful children.
HOBBIES: Crossfit, Running, cooking, baking, history buff
HOMETOWN: Carmel, IN
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO GOTR: When my brother entered high school, he was approached by the cross country team—little did we know that wouldn’t just change his life, but mine and my sisters’. I started running when I was 13 and plan to continue for years to come (although my knees might say otherwise). Being a runner is a mindset—a stress reliever, a source of pride, and a mental toughness. I like to say that the pavement has been there for me through every milestone; every breakup, all the good times, all the bad times, the pregnancy of both my children, and all that is yet to come.
When I heard of Girls on the Run, I was instantly sold. This is an organization that encourages the delicate process of self-esteem building, promotes development of friendships and healthy ways of dealing with every day complications. I am thrilled to be a part of this organization as both a coach and on the board and even more excited to be just a small piece in each girl’s journey.
KAREN CASEY
ASSISTANT COACH AND BOARD MEMBER; ASSOCIATE AT LUSHIN & ASSOCIATES
BACKGROUND: An alumna of Purdue University, Karen graduated with distinction having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and a minor in Psychology. Karen was highly involved in many campus activities and organizations at Purdue, one of which included serving as president of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
Following graduation Karen moved to Indianapolis where she started her career in sales with an automotive marketing company. During her time with the company, Karen experienced success early on as she quickly built an impressive book of business calling on business owners and was then promoted to Regional Account Director not long thereafter building and then managing a 10 million dollar book of business. In this position Karen also had a responsibility to recruit, hire, onboard and train the company’s sales force.
In 2004 Karen became a client of Lushin and Associates, Inc. She incorporated the knowledge and skills gained through this training into her daily sales routine which directly influenced her ability to successfully sell to top executives in her field. With more than seven years in sales and sales management, Karen decided to bring her selling style to the Lushin team in 2009. It is now her mission to assist in bringing confidence and clarity to the sales process for her clients and to help business owners build a better business by building better people.
HOBBIES: fitness including running, personal training sessions, TRX and spinning; shopping, traveling, spending time with family and friends
HOMETOWN: Valparaiso, IN
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO GOTR: I had been thinking about volunteering for awhile but nothing was speaking to me so I started researching what I was passionate about: running and making a difference in others lives. When a contact of mine told me about Girls on the Run I immediately thought of ways I could help by relating my own successes and challenges growing up and even situations in my adult career and personal life. I know how tough it can be and I love how Girls on the Run promotes a healthy self image and self confidence through running which is something I love! I have always enjoyed fitness and have been running half marathons for over 2 years and just recently completed my first marathon here in Indianapolis running the Monumental Marathon in November 2011. I am fortunate enough to run with a group of women…we call ourselves “the perfect strangers”. These women encourage me, support me, challenge me and entertain me! I only wish I had found them sooner and believe that with Girls on the Run’s programming these young girls will realize much sooner in life how strong and powerful they truly are and that they can accomplish anything they want!
