Our Team
LANI SILVERSIDES
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Lani Silversides is a native of York, Maine. She is a 17+ year educator and coach (15 years were spent teaching and coaching at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts). Sport has long time been a passion for Lani. A graduate of York High School in York, Maine, Silversides is the second all-time basketball scoring leader (male or female.) She was also an all-state soccer goalie and state champion hurdler. She was Maine female athlete of the year in 2001.
Lani continued her athletic career as a 4-year basketball player of the University of Vermont. She finished her career ranking among the all-time leaders in 10 different categories. In 2013, Lani was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions as both a coach and player.
Lani now coaches and teaches, not in the classroom anymore, but through this organization and through her mental performance consulting business.
She is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed with stage three cancer in 2018. She credits her experience as an athlete and being part of a team as well as the educational foundation and practice in sport psychology, mindfulness, and mental skills training as key components fueling her through treatments.
Lani founded Strong Girls United shortly after finishing her active cancer treatments, realizing there was no better time than the present to teach these important skills to all girls through sport and mentorship. Her north star is to impact many, one person at a time.
OUR STAFF
Board of Directors
Our Mental Health Advisory Committee
Our Mental Health Advisory Committee comprises a dedicated team of mental performance coaches and mental health experts who wholeheartedly contribute their expertise to our cause. United by a shared belief in our mission, they are committed to empowering girls by fostering confidence, resilience, and self-compassion. Through their collective efforts, they advocate for the integration of mental skills into sport and youth programs, recognizing the transformative power of equipping girls with the tools they need to thrive.
Lani Silversides
York, ME
Founder and Executive Director of SG United Foundation & Mindful Performance LLC
Erin Ayala, PhD, LP, CMPC
Minneapolis, MN
Sport Psychologist, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, and Researcher, Founder and Owner of Skadi Sport Psychology
.
Ashley Kuchar, PhD
Austin, TX
Mental Performance Coach, Founder and Owner of Fail Better Training LLC
Alison Cooper
Toronto, ON
Mindset Coach helping young female athletes develop tools to embrace pressures and build resilience through participation in sport.
Brittany Williams
Bradenton, FL
IMG Leadership Coach & Character Development Coach, Sport and Performance Psychology Practitioner
.
Bizze Gonring
Milwaukee, WI
Mental Performance Coach and Licensed Professional Counselor
.
Nicole Davies, EdD
Greater Boston, MA
Mental Performance Specialist, Coach, and former Team USA Synchronized Skater
Danae Frentz
Edmonton, AB
Mental Performance Trainer, Founder and Owner of Frentz Mental Performance
Kirsten Jones
Los Angeles, CA
Author, Speaker, Peak Performance & Sports Parenting Coach
Nicolette Caneda
Bronx, NY
Graduate student in School Counseling & Mental Health
Sophia Slovenski
Portland, ME
Digital Program Coordinator for SG United Foundation and Pole Vault Coach at Bowdoin College, pursuing a Sport Psychology graduate degree in Fall 2025.
Caroline Piehl
Centennial, CO
12-time All-American and two-time UC Berkeley Swim Team captain, is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), former Nike brand manager, and founder of Win Your Wealth.
The Design Team
Lauren Bodwell
Photographer, Lauren Bodwell Photography
Don Whelan
Graphic Designer, Winter\Victor Studio
Riley Peterson
Videographer, Riley Peterson Production
College & Community Ambassadors
Thank you to our team of ambassadors that drive our mission forward and make our programs possible.
This list highlights ambassadors from universities and community programs, but there are countless other volunteers who show up at events and programs, supporting and empowering strong girls for life. We’re deeply grateful for each and every one of you.
Just A Girl 5k | 10k
- Katie Stannard
- Teresa Esposito
York Strong Girls Coaches
- Chloe Whitbread
- Emma Silversides
- Phoebe Slovenski
College Ambassadors
- Abbey Thornton, University of Maine, Soccer
- Abi Janzen, Macalester College, Volleyball
- Abigail Birkey, Macalester College, Soccer
- Abigail Heuga, Macalester College, Soccer
- Abigail Ruby, Davidson College, Cheerleading
- Áine Cleary, Hamilton College, Lacrosse
- Aja Turner, University of Maine, Soccer
- Alana Kung
- Alana Rose DeLisle, Univeristy of Southern Maine, Softball
- Alexis Kailey, University of Southern Maine, Track & Field
- Allie clark, Softball
- Amanda Keefer, Volleyball
- Amanda Ngo, Case Western Reserve University, Volleyball
- Amelia Monohan, Track & Field
- Anna Fritz, Macalester College, Volleyball
- Anna Molloy, Soccer
- Anna Peterson, Hamilton College, Lacrosse
- Annelise McGee, Macalester College, Soccer
- Arushi Malik, Harvey Mudd College, Tennis
- Audrey Yoon, Claremont McKenna College, Tennis
- Ava Imposimato, Bowdoin College, Ice Hockey/Softball
- Avery Ellis, Macalester College, Soccer
- Avery Trach
- Becka Grisdale, Soccer
- Bella Mele, Bowdoin College, Ice Hockey
- Bella Zerafa, Macalester College, Soccer
- Bethany Spangler, Swim
- Brennan Bazant
- Brianna Furtado-Fernandes, Track & Field
- Caitlin Marshall, Swim
- Caroline Berney, Bowdoin College, Lacrosse
- Caroline Gelina, Davidson College, Track & Field
- Chloe Chiota, Hamilton College, Lacrosse
- Chloe Hynes, Volleyball
- Dorian Jones, Tarleton State University
- Eliza Buerk, Davidson, Basketball
- Eliza Schwarz, Hamilton College, Lacrosse
- Elizabeth Onyekwere, Case Western Reserve University, Volleyball
- Elizabeth Rudge, Hamilton College, Lacrosse
- Elizabeth Trevathan, Macalester College, Tennis
- Elizabeth Welch, Macalester College, Softball
- Ella Wu-Ancipink, Macalester College, Soccer
- Emelia Krakora, Bowdoin College, Lacrosse
- Emi Hutter-DeMarco, Case Western Reserve University, Basketball
- Emilee Watkins, Fordham University, Softball
- Emma Nicholson, Soccer
- Erin Hoppe, Fordham University, Softball
- Erin Walsh, Field Hockey
- Eva Ruth Koratsis, Fordham University, Softball
- Eveliena Pasmooij, Volleyball
Felicia Wu, Volleyball - Frances Trafton, Bowdoin College, Nordic Skiing
- Georgia Gallagher, Bowdoin College, Lacrosse
- Gianna Skrelja, Ice Hockey
- Grace Watkins, Macalester College, Volleyball
- Hannah Casey, Track & Field
- Hannah Morgan, Davidson College, Track & Field
- Hazel Waters, Macalester College, Soccer
- Holly Beeman, Fordham University, Softball
- Isabella Darce, Track & Field
Ivy Doran, Scripps College, Soccer - Jacqueline Earner, Cross Country/Track & Field
- Jade Hernandez, Volleyball
- Jayden Kratt, Macalester College, Water Polo
- Jenna Fitzsimons, Ice Hockey
- Jenna Milbrodt, Claremont McKenna College, Cross Country/Track & Field
- Jhenelle Evans, Track & Field
- Jonathan Allen Rippy, Tarleton State University, Basketball
- Julia Hanson, Macalester College, Soccer
- Kaavya Narayan, Claremont McKenna College, Volleyball
- Kaitlyn Sato, New York University, Volleyball
- Kara Jensen, Macalester College, Softball
- Karyna Steele, Macalester College, Tennis
- Kate Mautz, Bowdoin College, Lacrosse
- Kate McGuire, Fordham University, Softball
- Kate Wurster, Claremont McKenna College, Tennis
- Kendall Migliorini, University of Southern Maine, Softball
- Kendall Strauss, Macalester College, Water Polo
- Kialie Hudson, Soccer
- Kristen Briggs, Ice Hockey
- Kristin Svahn, Bowdoin College, Lacrosse
- Kristina Yebba, Univeristy of Southern Maine, Softball
- Kylie Cloutier, Univeristy of Southern Maine, Track & Field
- Laura Williams, Macalester College, Swimming
- Lindsay Eisenman, Claremont McKenna College, Tennis
- Luana Batista Soares, Lacrosse
- Lucie De Syon, Track & Field
Mackenzie Renner, Univeristy of Southern Maine, Softball - Maddie Molay, Macalester College, Softball
- Maddigan Leifer, Hamilton College, Lacrosse
- Maia Lemov, Macalester College, Soccer
- Major Wade, Tarleton State University
- Mallory McClellan, Fordham University, Softball
- Marin Ciardiello, Hamilton College, Lacrosse
- Maya Mortenson, Macalester College, Volleyball
- Maya Roberts, Case Western Reserve University, Basketball
- Meghan Lane, Hamilton College, Lacrosse
- Mikayla Swan, Fordham University, Softball
- Miya Whiteley, Macalester College, Soccer
- Myla Soliz, Claremont McKenna College
- Nalani Tokuhama, Macalester College, Volleyball
- Neleh Nogay, Fordham University, Softball
- Phoebe Heaps, Bowdoin College, Field Hockey
- Pooja Bucklin, Macalester College, Water Polo
- Quentin Rodriguez
- Rebecca Mulcahy, Macalester College, Soccer
- Rylie Hack, Claremont McKenna College, Lacrosse
- Sadie Smith, Bowdoin College, Diving
- Sara Wexler
- Sarah Pierson, Swim
- Sarah Solomon, Macalester College, Soccer
- Sedona Crosby, Macalester College, Soccer
- Sophie Futchko, Macalester College, Softball
- Sterling Kulke
- Talia Chait, Macalester College, Tennis
- Tara Flanders, University of Southern Maine, Basketball
- Tatiannah Fevry, Basketball
- Violet Sullivan, University of New Hampshire, Cross Country
Run For Her
Fueled by Purpose: Powered by Strong Girls United
Our charity team is made up of former athletes, purpose-driven runners, and passionate supporters who race iconic courses worldwide to fund our programs that empower girls through sport, mentorship, and mental health support.
Thank you for every step, every mile, and every moment you run for her.
Apply to Join our Team2025 Berlin Marathon
- Grace Harpster
- Kasey Ayer
- Sophia Slovenski
2025 Boston Marathon
- Katie Stannard
- Phoebe Streba
2025 Chicago Marathon
- Danielle Marquez
- Hailey Francoeur
- Jessie Velishka
- Kelsey Cole
- Kendall Carr
- Megan Brickler
- Sally Wilmot
- Shayla Eubanks
- Tedy Reed
2025 TCS NYC Marathon
- Amy Chudy
- Emily Flynn
- Isabella Brady
- Jim Kennedy
- Kathryn Kester
- Livy Golini
- Melissa Lobaccaro
- Paige LeFrancois
2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon
- Eliza Tucker
- Kylee Kells
- Morgan McConville
- Naomi Lee
- Brooke Williams
- Thatcher Thompson
- Beatrice Thompson
- Christina Daniels
- Lydia Kathryn Traylor
- Stephanie Hardin
- Terra Richards
2024 Boston Marathon
- Elizabeth Drake
- Katherine Shannahan
- Lindsay Werner
2024 Chicago Marathon
- Ashley Vensor
- Cassie Chin
- Chesney Wargo
- Kate Parker
- Sarah Wilkinson
2024 TCS NYC Marathon
- Bertha Cross
- Dakota Bilodeau
- Deirdre Wadsworth
- Devon Lis
- Heather Geoghan
- Jane DiGregorio
- Jess Smith
- Shayla Eubanks
- Taylor Lis
- Terrell Ivory
2024 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon
- Brianne Rachmiel
- Carter Isobel Williams
- Elizabeth Schaffernoth
- Hannah Sontz
- Sofia Seto
2023 TCS NYC Marathon
- Ava Anderson
- Brianna Swartz
- Clara M Degois Sainz
- Emilie Grand'Pierre
- Hayley Licata
- Jessica M Rodriguez
- Kheira Bekkadja
- Madison Martinez
- Nicole Wiggins
- Stephanie Lidondici
- Sophia Slovenski
2023 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon
- Courtney Cole
- Daniela DiLauri
- Kelsey Cole
- Kiley Gallagher
- Kristine Peterson
- Lucy Knowlton
- Paul Peterson
- Phoebe Slovenski
2022 TCS NYC Marathon
- Alexandra Bartolotta
- Amanda Fazio
- Arica Rosenstrach
- Christie Barnes
- Haley Lowell
- Lindsey Reynolds
- Lily Croddick
- Sarah Pokelwaldt
- Stephanie Deihl
2022 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon
- Amanda Becker
- Emily Dumont
- Hannah Levy
- Hannah Mason
ABOUT US
SG United Foundation ("Strong Girls United") is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission is to empower girls to be strong, confident, and resilient through sports, mentorship, and mental health programming.
EIN: 84-2731661
