While Tabitha Kunsman had been aware of Girls on the Run for many years, 2023 brought an invitation to volunteer for a team at her nieces’ school. What started as a desire to create opportunities for her favorite people, nieces Grier, Kate and Clare, has blossomed into two of our largest program sites.
Tabitha's journey with Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio began when a longtime friend introduced her to the organization's mission. Initially motivated by her desire to do more in her nieces’ community, as well as a love of running and the hope of sharing her personal experiences with the sport with the next generation, Tabitha didn’t hesitate to volunteer as a coach. It took no time at all for her to fall in love with the empowering lessons of GOTR and make it a personal mission to expand the program in the school district and beyond.
While programming had been around for several years at Lomond Elementary, Tabitha worked to create space for more girls in the Shaker community to participate at Onaway Elementary, both recruiting coaches and building awareness of the program’s benefits. What started with a single team of 15 girls in its first season has grown to 2 teams each season for the next two and a half years.
In 2024, Tabitha worked with Shaker Heights Middle School to expand programming even further to offer Heart & Sole, Girls on the Run’s middle school curriculum, to even more girls in the community, and has continued to serve as Site Liaison and Coach for both programs, impacting countless lives of 3rd through 8th grade girls in her six seasons with the program.
And Tabitha’s work doesn’t end there. Over the course of her two and a half years with Girls on the Run, she has dedicated countless hours to the program and consistently seeks new ways to expand its reach. Her invaluable assistance at community events and new coach training have been appreciated by the entire GOTRNEO staff, along with her dedication to the recruitment of new sites and coaches, and even raising much needed scholarship funds for participants.
“Tabitha’s passion for Girls on the Run has made an incredible impact on our council. She is a shining example of someone who puts her heart into everything she does, and has a lot of fun while doing it,” shares Development Director Jen Blatnik. “This spring, she went above and beyond by raising more than $1,400 in scholarship funds, enough to provide seven full scholarships for future GOTR girls!” Support at this level extends her impact well beyond the Shaker Heights border.
When asked about the people that have inspired her most, Tabitha doesn’t hesitate: her mom, sisters and nieces are her guiding lights. “Each in her own way has this incredible strength, determination and amazing attitude,” she shared. “They have shown me that when we get knocked down, we support each other, and we get back up stronger than before. They have shown me unconditional support in everything that I do.”
With family being such an impactful part of her life, it’s no surprise that Tabitha has made Girls on the Run a family affair! Her sister Jen was one of the first people she recruited to be a coach for the program. Her mom Peg has not only volunteered at the GOTRNEO office many times but has joined Tabitha at community events and is even serving on the Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio Fall 2025 5K Committee. And her sister Kelly is not only a GOTR mom, but has supported the council by providing fun photo opportunities at our 5K events with her creative Card My Yard displays.
Tabitha’s work with the Shaker Heights community demonstrates the extraordinary impact one dedicated volunteer can have. Through her words, thoughts and actions, Tabitha exemplifies the power of community leadership and the mission of Girls on the Run.
Thank you, Tabitha, for all you have done and continue to do in support of the GOTR mission! We are beyond grateful to have you as part of the GOTRNEO family!