Executive Director Sara Pickard

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 welcomed this career change as an 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 working in the banking industry, Sara was also involved in the Madison Apprenticeship Program. Originally from Minneapolis, Sara earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.  An active runner, Sara identifies with the program's vision of helping girls feel confident about themselves through physical activity and loves to help celebrate the girls' success throughout the season.  Sara has one adult son living in Chicago and she and her husband Doug live in Madison.

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 Fitchburg.

Board Members
Annie Ballweg
Theola Carter
Heather Clefisch
Jennifer Collins
Sheila Conroy
Nancy Daly
Nanette Peterson
Amy Rohn
Britt Ryan
Elizabeth Wewerka
Carleen Wild

Annie Ballweg
Annie joined the board of Girls on the Run in 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 son, live in Waunakee.

Heather Clefisch
Heather joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the fall of 2005 and served as Board Chair and head of the Policy Committee from 2007 - 2009.  She is an associate attorney at LaFollette, Godfrey & Kahn, specializing in corporate and real estate law.  Heather currently serves on the Board of Directors for Wisconsin Women in Government.  In 2003, she received an award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service from the Legal Aid Society in New York City and the Patricia Roberts Harris Award for Excellence in Pro Bono.  Heather is very excited to serve an organization dedicated to supporting and improving the self-esteem of young girls.  She received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Luther College and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison.  Heather and her husband Nate live in Madison and welcomed their first child, a son, in 2008.

Jennifer Collins
Jenni joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in 2008.  Jenni is the Director of Development & External Relations for Madison Children's Museum. She joined the MCM staff in 2007, bringing with her 15 years of fundraising experience. Jenni came to Madison from New York City and has worked in senior positions with cultural institutions such as the Brooklyn Children's Museum, Weeksville Heritage Center, and New York Hall of Science. She was also an adjunct lecturer for the School of Public Affairs at Baruch College in New York City. In the community, Jenni is a board member of Madison Breakfast Rotary, and serves as the Social Committee Co-Chair. She is on the Program Committee for the Greater Madison Association of Fundraising Professionals. In her free time, Jenni enjoys gardening and running.  Jenni and her husband Chris, along with their two young daughters, live in Madison.

Sheila Conroy
Sheila joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the fall of 2009 after serving as a volunteer GOTR coach for two seasons. She holds a bachelors degree in English and French from Marquette University and a law degree from the University of Michigan. While in private practice, Sheila specialized in employment litigation. As the mother of three young girls, Sheila is keenly aware of the importance of a program that helps girls to develop self-confidence, a sense of community, and a healthy attitude towards nutrition and exercise. Sheila has completed numerous half-marathons, two marathons and several triathlons. In her view, there is nothing quite like a good run to clear your head and cure what ails you. Sheila lives in Fitchburg with her husband, Kevin, and their three daughters.

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, 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. Nancy, who lives in Madison with her husband Pete and teenage son and daughter, enjoys knitting, needlepoint and quilting, caregiving for some elderly friends, and a quiet afternoon in the garden.

Nanette Peterson
Nan joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the fall of 2009 and serves on the Volunteer Committee. She manages programs for Child Health Advocacy at American Family Children's Hospital. Nan also serves as a Preceptor for Master of Public Health students at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and as a Faculty Associate for the UW School of Nursing.  Nan earned both her bachelor's degree in Nursing and master's degree in Pediatric Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  As a former pediatric intensive care nurse, she has developed an advocacy platform for injury prevention through a multi-faceted approach of education, research, community action, and legislative championship for children. Nan and her husband, Jim Stangel, live in Madison, and are the parents of two sons.

Amy Rohn
Amy joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in January 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 Madison for more than five years. Amy has completed two marathons, several half-marathons and even a few sprint triathlons. These days, the running that she enjoys most is running after her toddler son and four-year old stepson.  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.  Britt holds a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and a masters degree in School Psychology from Tufts University .  Britt and her husband Adam came to Madison in 2003.  They have recently adopted their first child, a beautiful daughter from China.  An avid athlete, Britt has coached field hockey, enjoys tennis, has completed two Chicago Marathons and continues to volunteer as a coach for our Girls on the Run Edgewood site.

Elizabeth Wewerka
Elizabeth joined the board of Girls on the Run of Dane County in the fall of 2008 and accepted the position of Treasurer in the spring of 2009.  Elizabeth is the owner of Lady Moxie on Madison's west side, which she founded in 2006.  Elizabeth earned both her bachelor's degree in French and her Master's of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.  In addition to her support of Girls on the Run, Elizabeth enjoys working with the marketing committee of A Fund For Women and the core members of Womenade.  An avid runner, Elizabeth has finished the Air Force (OH), Marine Corp (Washington DC), Fox Valley (WI)  and the Martian (Novi, MI) Marathons.  She lives and runs in Madison.