Joyful Journeys

This week on Joyful Journeys, our Director of Engagement, Ashleigh, sits down with women from the Heavy Construction Contractors Association (HCCA) to discuss what it means to build connection, confidence, and community as women working in a male-dominated industry. For nearly 70 years, HCCA has supported the heavy construction industry, and today, the women within the organization are creating op...

Julie Leonard joined Enterprise Knowledge as its first Human Resources hire at the height of COVID. This week, she joins GOTR NOVA Director of Development Catherine Kellar on Joyful Journeys to share how a connection between two organizations has grown into an impactful partnership. Since 2022, Enterprise Knowledge has contributed nearly $10,000 to GOTR NOVA through sponsorships and creative fundr...

What turns a first introduction to Girls on the Run into years of involvement and support? This week on Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by monthly donors Jen and Tamara to hear how they first discovered Girls on the Run and why the mission continues to resonate with them today.  Having both grown up attending all-girls schools, Jen and Tamara understand the positive impact that supportive, empowerin...

This week on Joyful Journeys , our Executive Director, Caroline, is joined by three outstanding members of the Girls on the Run NOVA Board of Directors: Olga Autote, Esther Beard, and Patty Troppe! Get to know Olga, Esther, and Patty as they look back on the dream jobs they imagined for themselves growing up—from marine biology and dolphin training to becoming the first woman president or an F-15...

This week on Joyful Journeys , we're joined by three incredible community leaders from Clark Construction, Wegmans, and LMI. Colleen Kerins, Chris Holland, and Christen Smith share why their companies invest in Girls on the Run NOVA and in the next generation of confident, compassionate leaders. While their organizations may operate in different industries, they all believe in the power of support...

This week, we're joined by three members of the Girls on the Run NOVA Coach Advisory Council (CAC), a dedicated group of volunteer coaches who help shape the future of our program by providing valuable feedback, ideas, and perspective. While they come from different backgrounds, careers, and stages of life, they all share one thing in common: a passion for empowering kids to recognize their limitl...

Welcome to a new season of Joyful Journeys, where we’re highlighting some of our superstar supporters! In this episode, we’re hitting the pavement with Light Horse Track Club—and we mean that literally. They recorded this episode while out on a run! Hear from Light Horse Track Club co-founder and Executive Director Dustin Sweeney, along with club members Chelsea and Andy, about the partnership bet...

Katie Ramboyong joins us on Joyful Journeys to share her family’s deep connection to Girls on the Run! Katie’s story truly embodies the spirit of GOTR, as she was a participant in elementary school, a 5K volunteer in high school, her sister was her teammate, their mom coached the team, and her dad ran beside her as her Buddy Runner. As Katie says, it was a whole family affair!  From crying through...

This week on Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Julia, who has worn many Girls on the Run hats over the years! From coach to SoleMate to her current role on a committee with our sister council, Girls on the Run DC, she has always found meaningful ways to keep GOTR in her life. Her story is a wonderful reminder of the many ways to get involved with the organization and how each experience can fuel a...

This week on Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Kelsie Humbert, who shares how the positive team mindset she first discovered through Girls on the Run has carried into her high school cross country and track experiences. Kelsie reflects on the valuable life skills she gained from the program, like active listening and using “I feel…” statements to foster understanding instead of conflict, which cont...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Kathleen Ecker, a former Girls on the Run coach whose journey with the program began when her daughters joined the team. She shares the joy of staying connected with her former participants and watching them grow, as well as the meaningful lessons the program instills, even for kids who aren’t big fans of running. From her time as a Gamma Phi Beta at Geo...

In this heartwarming episode, we hear from a mother-daughter duo whose Girls on the Run journey has come full circle. Kai fondly recalls making tie-dye shirts and tutus with her team, and the unforgettable moment when her dad proudly wore his to the 5K. After moving to a new area, GOTR helped Kai find her footing and new friendships, while her mom, Becky, coached and discovered how powerful the pr...

In this episode of Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Julia Troppe, a Girls on the Run NOVA alum who takes us down memory lane, sharing about high-fiving teammates after practice laps and proudly wearing her 5K shirt after crossing the finish line. Julia shares how GOTR sparked her lifelong love of movement and group-based activities, and taught her that community can be found anywhere, even among s...

In this episode, we’re joined by Hailey Wilcott, a former Girls on the Run participant whose journey has come full circle. Now a sports photographer on the side working with some of the biggest teams in the D.C. area, Hailey shares how the lessons she learned as a young girl in GOTR continue to influence her life today. Hailey talks about how the people around her—coaches, teammates, and her suppo...

This episode comes to you from an unexpected (and awesome) location, the steampunk studio! Thanks to a serendipitous connection, we met Mimi and Cailor, two Girls on the Run NOVA alum who had no idea they shared this connection. Tune in to hear how their worlds unexpectedly collided and what these creative trailblazers are up to now as they design, disrupt, and repeat.

Katelynn Argo - Girls on the Run participant, Junior Coach, and BIG supporter. Join us as we chat with Katelynn Argo, a former Girls on the Run participant, Junior Coach, and passionate supporter of the program. Katelynn shares how GOTR helped her find community after moving to a new state and laid the foundation for her future career. Her story highlights the power of teamwork, confidence, and le...

This week on Joyful Journeys, we're joined by Maya Cohn, who discovered her passion for running at just 8 years old through Girls on the Run. Now, more than a decade later, she's chasing that same joy all the way to the marathon finish line. Tune in to hear how GOTR sparked a lifelong love of running and the lessons she's carried with her every mile since.

Raphaella Henson-Vendrell joins Joyful Journeys to share how Girls on the Run taught her to dream big and believe in herself. From working at a nonprofit to coaching high school XC & track to leading her running club, Raphy is all about making a positive impact. Her biggest takeaway? Success isn’t one-size-fits-all—forge your own path!

Taylor Thompson—GOTR alum, SoleMate, mom, and dedicated runner—joins Joyful Journeys to share how Girls on the Run ignited her passion for running and shaped her unstoppable "I can" attitude. She also gives a special shoutout to the people who have inspired and pushed her to new heights.

This week on Joyful Journeys, Deanna Payne shares how her first impression of Girls on the Run—thinking it might be boring—quickly changed once she got started. Instead, she discovered joy in every lesson, a love for movement, and life skills that have stayed with her into adulthood.

Meet Cara Alcorn—former GOTR participant, dedicated GOTR coach, and fearless 14er challenger! Hear how GOTR shaped her as a kid and continues to inspire her every day. Don’t miss her incredible journey!

Join us for a heartfelt journey through the history of Girls on the Run NOVA with Lesley Green, owner of mb logistics & events and a dedicated supporter since the early days.   Lesley shares her inspiring story of how her involvement with GOTR NOVA evolved over the years, revealing how her passion for the mission not only shaped her roles within the organization but also sparked profound perso...

Happy 25th anniversary, Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia! This year, Joyful Journeys is celebrating by highlighting someone special from every year of our history. Join us as we reflect on the incredible journey that has shaped GOTR NOVA into the organization it is today. In this episode, we take a deep dive into our history through the voices of GOTR NOVA's five past and current Executive Di...

Today on Joyful Journeys , GOTR alum Eliana and current participant Blake take the mic! Join them as they share heartfelt memories and the lasting impact of Girls on the Run in their lives—from building confidence to navigating college life. Plus, get excited for the next season of Joyful Journeys as we celebrate GOTR NOVA’s 25th anniversary!

Compromise Requires Love" with Donya Gordon In this week’s episode of Joyful Journeys , attorney Donya Gordon shares her wisdom on the art of compromise. With years of experience helping clients find common ground, Donya offers practical tips for reaching meaningful resolutions. Her key takeaway? Compromise must be mutual—it’s not about always giving in, but finding balance on both sides.