From saving the earth to adopting animals, Allison Hauser has been involved in helping different causes since the third grade. So it’s no surprise that in 2007, she volunteered as a coach for Girls on the Run, an organization dedicated to empowering young girls.
“Every session in coaching, there were moments where a face lit up, or a girl ran further, or a team member supported another team member,” says Hauser, who went on to be executive director of the New York City chapter in 2012. “All of the individual moments with the girls have shown me the power of the program.”
Girls on the Run is a nonprofit after-school program that uses running as a way to inspire girls to be healthy and confident. The groundbreaking program, which has 225 local councils around the country, culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K run.
Founders: Molly Barker
Year founded: 1996
Employees: 4 fulltime staffers in the New York City area
Where we’re based: WeWork Dumbo Heights
Moment of inspiration: “There was a girl I coached who had to repeat a grade, so it was amazing that she was communicative and interested in the program and running,” says Hauser. “There are so many things I know supported her in her life, and I knew Girls on the Run was one of them.”
Biggest hurdle: “We are continuing to grow and are just utilizing our resources,” says Hauser. “We’ve grown organically as people reach out to us, so we utilize all of our friends to spread the word. We’ve grown as much as that allows us and now we’re ready to get out there further.”
How we want to change the world: “We want to inspire every girl to feel confident and healthy and joyful,” says Hauser. “Our vision is every girl feeling like she can do anything she puts her mind to. A dream is not just a dream—it’s something she can achieve.”