For Anilla Alexander, the mission of Girls on the Run Southeastern Wisconsin feels deeply personal.

Her passion has always been rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves someone who believes in them. When young people are given encouragement, opportunities, and a supportive community, it can change the trajectory of their lives.

Girls on the Run does exactly that.

“Girls need a space where they feel seen, heard, and valued,” Anilla says. “When we give girls confidence-building opportunities early in life, we are shaping how they see themselves and what they believe is possible.”

That belief drew her to the organization and continues to guide her leadership today.

As an avid runner, Anilla understands the transformative power of movement. She knows the feeling of reaching a goal that once seemed out of reach and the confidence that comes from realizing you are capable of more than you imagined.

That same sense of possibility is what Girls on the Run provides to every girl who participates in the program.

But what keeps Anilla coming back year after year goes beyond the program itself.

“First and foremost, it’s the girls,” she says. “Watching them form genuine friendships, find their voice, and uplift each other is incredible.”

She also points to something she calls the GOTR “village.”

From staff and board members to coaches and volunteers, the Girls on the Run community creates an environment where people feel welcomed from the moment they step in.

“You can meet someone once, and the next time you see them they greet you with a big smile,” Anilla says. “Those instant connections create a contagious, positive energy. You always walk away reminded that you are part of something bigger than yourself.”

Finding a Mission That Matters

That spirit of connection made stepping into leadership even more meaningful.

When Girls on the Run Southeastern Wisconsin launched its Young Professionals Board in 2024, Anilla was asked to serve as the inaugural chair. At first, she hesitated.

Imposter syndrome quickly appeared. But the encouragement of the organization’s leadership, along with her belief in the mission, ultimately outweighed the doubt.

Saying yes turned out to be one of her most meaningful decisions.

“This role has truly been a ‘pinch me’ moment,” she says. “It has been an honor to help build something that brings passionate leaders together to serve a mission I care deeply about.”

For Anilla, the value of service was learned early in life.

At just fourteen years old, she organized her first community service project. It was the first time she experienced the powerful energy that forms when purpose-driven people come together to support a shared cause.

That same spirit is reflected in the Girls on the Run curriculum. At the end of each season, participants collaborate on a community service project of their own, learning the importance of giving back to their communities.

Planting those seeds early creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the program.

Building the Young Professionals Board

As the first Young Professionals Board Chair, Anilla envisioned a space that reflected the very heart of the Girls on the Run mission.

“From the beginning, I wanted this board to be a place where people feel seen, supported, and encouraged to step into their potential,” she explains.

Young professionals today are balancing careers, personal responsibilities, and countless commitments. Yet members of the board choose to invest their time and talents into supporting girls across southeastern Wisconsin.

“My goal has been to understand what motivates each person, create opportunities for leadership growth, and cultivate an environment full of gratitude and connection,” Anilla says.

The results have been remarkable.

What began in November 2024 with ten founding members has already grown into a passionate group of twenty emerging leaders. Together, they bring fresh ideas, energy, and dedication to advancing the Girls on the Run mission.

The board has helped expand community awareness, launched meaningful fundraising initiatives, built partnerships with local fitness studios, and welcomed new supporters into the Girls on the Run community. Members regularly volunteer at practices, support caregiver buddy runs, and cheer on participants at the organization’s celebratory 5K events.

“Our inaugural board has poured courage, time, and talent into making this possible,” Anilla says. “They stepped forward before there was even a roadmap. Watching them lead with purpose has been incredibly inspiring.”

Still, Anilla is quick to emphasize that the work is about something bigger than leadership titles or individual accomplishments.

At its core, the Young Professionals Board exists to support a vision where every girl feels confident, supported, and empowered by her community

A Message to Future Leaders

For young professionals who may be considering getting involved with a nonprofit, Anilla offers simple advice.

Start before you feel ready.

“You don’t need to wait until you feel fully qualified,” she says. “Leadership and service are roles you grow into.”

She encourages emerging leaders to stay curious, ask thoughtful questions, and lean into the growth that comes from new experiences.

“If imposter syndrome shows up, use it as fuel,” she says. “Let it push you to learn, to seek guidance, and to show up consistently.”

Most importantly, she recommends finding a mission that genuinely resonates.

“When you see the impact firsthand, it becomes a constant reminder of why the work matters. Those reminders will keep you engaged and help you champion the mission in a meaningful way.”

For Anilla, that mission is clear.

Every girl deserves the opportunity to build confidence, discover her voice, and feel supported by a community that believes in her.

Through Anilla’s leadership and the growing energy of the Young Professionals Board, that vision continues to expand across southeastern Wisconsin.

And this Women’s History Month, Girls on the Run Southeastern Wisconsin is proud to celebrate a leader who is helping move that mission forward. 

Get Involved

Girls on the Run Southeastern Wisconsin is powered by volunteers, coaches, and community leaders who believe every girl deserves the opportunity to build confidence, connection, and courage.

Inspired by Anilla’s story? There are many ways to support the mission:

• Volunteer as a Girls on the Run coach
• Join the Young Professionals Board
• Support programs through community events and fundraising
• Cheer on participants at our end-of-season 5K

Learn more about how you can get involved HERE.