Meet Katie, our September Girl Hero! As a school counselor in Mesa Public Schools, Katie has been a Girls on the Run coach for five seasons. Her passion for creating safe, empowering spaces for girls is what first inspired her to bring GOTR to her campus—and it’s what continues to guide the way she shows up for her teams today.

Katie’s dedication shines through in the little moments, like hearing girls repeat lessons to their friends in the lunchroom, and in the big ones, like watching one of her GOTR girls bravely share her story at the 2022 Limitless Potential Brunch. “Standing beside her on stage as the room cheered was one of the proudest moments of my coaching journey,” Katie said.

Beyond memories, Katie treasures the connections she’s built with her girls and fellow coaches. She says the lessons she teaches—about courage, confidence, and resilience—have impacted her, too. “It’s important the girls see adults modeling these skills in real life,” she shared.

Her advice for GOTR girls?

“Climb the mountain. There are going to be challenges and goals that may seem impossible, but by putting your skills into practice, you can do hard things—and you are more resilient than you know.”

We’re grateful for Katie’s unwavering commitment and the joy, strength, and compassion she brings to every season.