At Girls on the Run of Greater Knoxville, our volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do.

From coaches who bring our evidence-based curriculum to life, to event volunteers who make event days magical, to board members who guide our vision - our work simply wouldn’t be possible without them. This series celebrates the people who make it all happen and offers a closer look at the many ways volunteers power our mission.

Meet our Board Member, Ashley!

The Basics

Your Name: Ashley Meeks

What is your current job title and company? Director of Marketing and Business Development - West Town Mall

Your GOTR Journey

How did you first get involved with Girls on the Run? What inspired you to join the board? I first got involved with GOTR when I was looking for a way to give back to my community. Another great friend was sitting on this board and talked about how great an organization it is, and the potential of growth we have in the East TN area/potential to change young girls' lives. I was inspired to join the board because I have a passion for youth development, and doing that through physical activity and healthy living is exactly what GOTR does.

What part of the Girls on the Run mission resonates with you the most and why? Many pieces of our mission resonate with me. Our emphasis on joy, which is often overlooked in youth development, is amazing. As a college athlete, I love that our program doesn’t just teach lessons; our participants get to live them through activities, team building, and reflection. I resonate with our mission because I experienced many of the challenges today’s girls face and would have loved for a program such as GOTR to be available to me at that time.

What is one of your favorite GOTR moments or memories? As a long-term sitting board member, I have loved seeing the growth of our organization and how we have impacted our community over the years. Each event we host has a special meaning behind each and every one of them. There isn’t an event that we leave that at least one person’s life has been changed, and we get to witness that firsthand.

A Little More About You

When you're not working or volunteering, what's a favorite hobby or way you like to spend your time? I have a deep passion for the arts – mainly music and dance – so with my free time, I like to attend concerts or performances when I can.

What's a piece of advice you would give to your younger self? Never doubt yourself or your worth.

A book, podcast, or song you're loving right now? I love Christmas music, so I am listening to all of my favorites!

Photo Time!