Coach Spotlight: Dana's 10 Years of Empowering Girls in North Royalton

Some people talk about making a difference. Dana just shows up and does it, season after season, year after year.

Since 2015, Dana Kesselem has been one of Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio's most dedicated coaches. As the Site Liaison at North Royalton Elementary, she has built the program from the ground up, growing it to serve more than 40 girls each season with an incredible team of volunteers from her community. For more than 10 years, she has made sure that every girl who walks through her doors feels seen, supported, and capable of more than she imagined.

We sat down with Dana to learn more about what drives her commitment to GOTR and the girls she serves.

What inspired you to get involved with Girls on the Run?

Dana's path to GOTR started long before she ever laced up for a practice. As a graduate student studying to become a school counselor, she first heard about the program from a classmate. Years later, when she was hired in North Royalton and started working directly with students, that early conversation came back to her.

"I saw a need for a proactive program to support and empower our girls," she says. With the backing of her principal and the school district, she worked to bring Girls on the Run to North Royalton, starting at Valley Vista Elementary.

The fit was clear from the beginning. "The program aligns with my career as a school counselor but also with everything I believe we should be teaching our girls. The program gives them the tools to become strong, smart, assertive future leaders."

What's something you've learned from the girls you've worked with?

Ask Dana what she has gained from coaching, and she will tell you the girls are her greatest teachers.

"The girls continue to teach me about girlhood," she reflects. "Being on the other side and watching them learn these skills and reach their goals just shows me how resilient they are."

Over the years, Dana has coached girls of all abilities, and she says watching them grow and learn from one another has been nothing short of inspiring.

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a coach or volunteer?

Dana does not hesitate here. Her message is simple: just go for it.

"I would say that the lessons are just as much for the girls as they are a reminder for the adults!" she says with enthusiasm. "It is a wonderful and positive way to spend your time and end your day, and the girls and your fellow coaches make it so much better. Girls on the Run ACTUALLY IS so much fun!"

Dana's decade of service is a testament to what happens when one person decides to show up consistently for their community. Her organization, her heart for service, and her commitment to expanding access have allowed more girls in North Royalton to experience the confidence, connection, and joy that Girls on the Run provides.

She does not just coach. She creates a space where girls grow into the strong, empowered leaders they were always meant to be.

Interested in becoming a Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio coach or volunteer? We would love to have you on our team. Visit www.gotrneo.org to learn more.