Meet Our Staff
Danielle Plunkett
Director
Danielle Plunkett studied Education and Community Relations at Michigan State University. Her experience with Girls on the Run began as a volunteer coach in 2003. Danielle joined the staff in 2005. Prior to her work with Girls on the Run Danielle served as the Response Team Coordinator at LACASA and spent six years with the Quantum Learning Network where she traveled the US and abroad as a Team Leader.
Danielle believes that Girls on the Run is much more than an after school empowerment program. Girls on the Run is a movement that positively impacts everyone it touches. She has witnessed participants, volunteers, families and communities be transformed by the program.
Danielle lives in Ann Arbor with her son Jonathan who she describes as “the light of her life”. She is a voracious reader who loves running on beautiful trails, yoga, cooking and spending time with her large and exuberant extended family.
(734) 712 5640
Lisa Gizzi
Program Coordinator
Lisa Gizzi joined the Girls on the Run staff in 2009. She is first and foremost the mother of three incredible children (two girls and one boy) and the wife of "the most supportive husband on the planet". Lisa didn't grow up running, mostly because she never had the "runner's body" she thought you had to have. But in her thirties Lisa decided to try it as a new form of exercise. Her first time out for a run she made it about 1/8 of a mile but even after that short distance she knew she felt stronger, smarter, and was filled with an emotion she had never felt before. She realized ANYONE could do it! No matter how small, how big, how fast, how slow...
After discovering Girls on the Run, Lisa knew she found a home. Since then, she has coached for 10 seasons. Her daughters have participated in more than twenty-two 5k events!
In 2008, Lisa was awarded the Lisa Hesse Spirit Award for her volunteer work, the Girls on the Run International Coach of the Year Award and the Michigan Association of Middle School Educators Volunteer Parent's Award. Though each award is a great honor the best reward is knowing the difference she is making in children's lives.
info@girlsontherunsemi.org
(734) 712 5640
Shana Bussa
Operations and Financial Manager
Shana Bussa graduated with her Master’s degree from the University of Michigan School of Social Work in 2009. Shana has been involved in many 5k events and has found running to be one of her passions. She is hoping to share her passion with others. Shana joined the Girls on the Run staff in 2011.
After personally experiencing “The Girl Box” throughout her own life Shana has overcome many of the same obstacles girls are facing today. She would like to use these experiences to positively influence others to break free from “The Girl Box” and be valued for who they are and not what they look like.
Shana is thrilled to be moving back to Ann Arbor and is looking forward to going to the Farmer’s Market, Top of the Park, and football Saturdays. Most of all she is excited to help empower girls and make a difference within the community.
info@girlsontherunsemi.org
(734) 712 5640
Sarah Henry
Marketing and Development Coordinator
Sarah Henry is graduating from Eastern Michigan University with her second Bachelors this fall, 2011 in Public Relations and Nonprofit Administration. Sarah has always been involved in fitness activities such as pilates, yoga and kickboxing but has always struggled with running. Sarah ran her very first 5k spring of 2011 as a coach with Girls on the Run and since then has had the power, motivation and mind set to keep on running!
Sarah has personally experienced hurtful gossiping and body image issues through much of her adolescent years. It was a struggle to get past those issues that so many young girls are facing today at younger and younger ages but has managed to do so in a positive way. It is Sarah’s hope that she can draw from her own experiences to help and positively influence young girls today.
In her spare time Sarah enjoys running/working out, walking her dog, cooking and spending time with her friends, family and loved ones. Sarah is thrilled to have joined the outstanding GOTRSEMI team and helping to make a difference in young girls lives!
info@girlsontherunsemi.org
(734) 712 5640
Rhonda Sanders
Volunteer Coordinator & Program Assistant
Rhonda Sanders was born and raised in Detroit, MI and later moved to Farmington Hills, MI. She recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Future plans include pursing a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan with a concentration on Children and Youth in the Family and continuing her work with this population by empowering, strengthening and encouraging them through her work with non-profits and schools. At the University of Michigan, she was very involved in the residence halls serving as both a Resident Advisor and Diversity Peer Educator, mentoring programs, charity fashion shows and her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Delta chapter. In the summer of 2007, she had the opportunity to travel Argentina, a trip which both humbled and inspired her.
An avid runner since the age of 14, she has participated in various 5k’s throughout Michigan. Other passions include going to church, reading and watching Twilight, baking cookies, singing off tune, planning a trip to Italy, spending time with her family and cuddling with her pillow pet Anthony Jr. Her inspirations include her mother and father who taught her to stay focused and never give up
info@girlsontherunsemi.org
(734) 712 5640
Andrea Gillespie
Inspired Soles Coordinator
Andrea Gillespie is a registered dental hygienist with a bachelors’ degree from University of Detroit Mercy. She first started running, 30 seconds at a time, after moving to Ann Arbor in 2009. She ran her first 5k in May 2009 and has since run numerous 5k’s, 10k’s, half marathons, and her first marathon in October 2010. She found Girls on the Run and fell in love. How awesome it was to see girls going from “I can’t” to “I did, and I will again!” If only she had experienced what it was like to complete such an amazing goal when she was eight, instead of twenty-five! She has been active in the program as a coach, 5k-event committee member, and a SoleMate.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband, and their two Chihuahuas.
info@girlsontherunsemi.org
(734) 712 5640
Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan is Hiring!
Part-time Program Coordinator