About
The GOTR of WNC council was established in 2002 by Rachelle Sorensen-Cox and has grown from serving 30 girls in 2002 to over 1000 girls in 2011. Since our inception, we have impacted more than 6,200 girls with our unique curriculum.
We currently offer programs in the 14 counties of WNC – Buncombe, Clay, Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey. New programs are encouraged to apply to be a program site for either fall or spring sessions. NEW/RETURNING Site Applications can be filled out here (new sites, please contact us prior to submitting an application).
Girls on the Run of WNC is a not-for-profit organization that exists solely by program fees, and individual and corporate donations and grants.
Girls on the Run honors its core values. We strive to:
1. Recognize our power and responsibility to be intentional in our decision making
2. Embrace our differences and find strength in our connectedness
3. Express joy, optimism and gratitude through our words, thoughts and actions
4. Nurture our physical, emotional and spiritual health
5. Lead with an open heart and assume positive intent
6. Stand up for ourselves and others
Staff
Audrey McElwain, Executive Director
Audrey has extensive experience working for non-profit organizations as a fundraiser and volunteer manager for United Way and American Cancer Society and in the corporate world as a Spa Assistant Manager at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. She has also volunteered her time with Outward Bound West, Leadership Asheville, and United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County. Her passion for health and wellness and concern for women’s issues brought her to Girls on the Run in 2008. She is a long-time resident of the Asheville area and an avid runner (often pushing a jogging stroller and two kids) and outdoor enthusiast.
Rachelle Sorensen-Cox, Volunteer Recruitment & Outreach Manager
Rachelle learned about Girls on the Run in the spring of 2001 and founded the Western North Carolina chapter shortly after. By September of 2002 Rachelle was coaching 2 programs and talking about Girls on the Run to anyone who would listen. Her role within the organization has morphed over the years and today, Rachelle is happily employed by GOTR of WNC as 5K and Special Events Coordinator. She and her daughter Soren can often been seen working from their mobile office (thank goodness for baby joggers and blackberries)!
Nadine Gnall, Operations Manager
Nadine served as a coach for Girls on the Run for three seasons and as a Board Member for one year before joining our staff as bookkeeper. She has an extensive financial and accounting background, working previously as a CPA and as a financial analyst for three Fortune 500 companies. Nadine relocated with her family to the Asheville area in 2008, and she is an avid runner (having completed several half and full marathons). She is thrilled to be working for GOTR of WNC, where she can utilize her accounting skills and passion for running in a program that helps strengthen and empower girls.
Board of Directors
Lorrin Brown, Vice-Chair (Interim Chair) – Smokey Mountains Area Director, Special Olympics of NC
Kristin Cox, Treasurer – Financial Analyst
Angie Dorsey – Senior Managing Attorney, Legal Aid of NC, Inc.
Robert Duffey – Pediatrician, Blue Ridge Health Services
Lindsey Grossman – Editor, Breathe Magazine
Anne Hammonds, Secretary -Outpatient Physical Therapist, CarePartners
Cathy Higgins, Teacher, Oakley Elementary
Cathy McCain, Head of School, Hanger Hall School for Girls
Anna Pfaff, Medical Care Manager, Community Care of WNC
