As part of the Girls on the Run International communications team, I spend a lot of time thinking about our mission, our messaging, our research, and the many ways councils bring Girls on the Run to life in their communities. But walking into my first Girls on the Run Summit, surrounded by council staff, board members, volunteers, and partners from across the U.S. and Canada, helped me understand it in a new way.
I heard people talk about Summit for months, the way you hear people talk about a family reunion you have never been to: with nostalgia, excitement, and inside jokes you do not fully understand. It was not until I was in the room that I understood what makes this gathering so special.
From June 28 to July 1, attendees gathered in Cleveland for Summit 2026, a week filled with learning, celebration, connection, and the kind of energy that happens when people who deeply believe in the same mission finally come together.
This year, as Girls on the Run celebrates 30 years of building confidence, connection, and community, those words showed up everywhere: in the conversations between councils, the moments of reflection during keynotes, the joy on the dance floor, and the stories shared by coaches and alums who reminded us why this work matters.
Community: The Power of Coming Together
Summit began with council networking sessions, the Girls on the Run Partner Expo, and a welcome celebration at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. From the start, it was clear that Summit is not just a conference. It is a gathering of people who understand the joy of this work because they live it every day.
Even the mornings reflected that spirit, with attendees starting the day together through group runs and yoga sessions, including one led by Taryn Smith. It was a simple but meaningful reminder that movement, connection, and joy are at the heart of Girls on the Run.
Throughout the week, I met council leaders navigating similar questions, celebrating similar wins, and facing similar challenges. In breakout sessions, hallway conversations, and shared meals, I saw how much wisdom exists across this network.
After Summit, I read a reflection from Kathy Butler of Girls on the Run Piedmont that captured this feeling beautifully. She wrote that leadership is not only about pouring into others. “Sometimes it’s about allowing yourself to be poured into.”
That is exactly what Summit felt like. Whether someone was attending their first Summit or their 20th, there was a shared sense of belonging and purpose that carried through the entire event.
Confidence: Learning from Leaders Who Inspire Action
One of the most powerful moments of the week was Liz Kunz’s State of the Union. As Girls on the Run International CEO, Liz grounded us in where we have been, where we are, and where we are headed next.
Following the opening celebration at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Liz drew a connection between music, movement, and Girls on the Run that perfectly captured the energy of Summit. “Music gets us moving, and so does Girls on the Run,” she shared. “Moving awakens joy in us.”
She continued by reflecting on the way music brings individuals together to create something powerful, much like Girls on the Run brings people together around a shared mission. And just as a favorite song can stay with us forever, Liz reminded attendees that the confidence built through Girls on the Run can stay with girls long after a season ends.
That focus carried into the keynote sessions. Dr. Lisa Damour offered practical, research-informed insight into the emotional lives of girls and teenagers, connecting what girls are experiencing today with what Girls on the Run intentionally creates: a place where girls can understand their emotions, build healthy relationships, and practice skills to navigate life with confidence.
Olympic gold medalist Elana Meyers Taylor brought a different but equally powerful perspective. In conversation with Liz, Elana shared how her journey as an elite athlete, advocate, and mother shifted from focusing solely on medals to approaching her goals with curiosity, learning, and joy.
When asked what message she would want girls to take from her story, Elana said, “It has to be fun.” She shared that joy carried her through some of the hardest moments in sport, and that what mattered most was “the fun and the joy” she took from the experience.
Her story was a reminder that confidence is not about never facing obstacles. It is about continuing to show up, adapt, and believe in what is possible, even when the path looks different than expected.
Connection: The Stories That Stay With Us
On the final day of Summit, attendees heard a preview of emerging insights from the Girls on the Run Alums Study. While more findings are still to come, the early look reinforced something many of us have seen firsthand: the impact of Girls on the Run does not end when a season ends.
That message came to life during the alum and coach panel, where personal stories added heart and depth to the research. Hearing from those who have experienced Girls on the Run from different roles made the impact feel both immediate and long-lasting. The panel was a powerful reminder that the relationships formed through this program can shape how girls see themselves, support others, and move through the world long after the 5K.
Fresh Ideas to Bring Home
Summit also offered breakout sessions designed to help councils strengthen their work and expand their impact. Sessions explored disability inclusion, inclusive 5K experiences, digital marketing, AI, board engagement, fundraising, behavior support, rural communities, family engagement, and participant experience.
Across the sessions, a few themes stood out: making every girl feel welcome and supported, building stronger systems, and using data, storytelling, and technology more intentionally. From inclusion and participant experience to growth, communications, operations, and community engagement, each session offered practical ideas councils could adapt in their own communities.
I also had the opportunity to lead my own breakout session, “Talk of the Town: Elevating Your Council Through Smart Communication.” I will not pretend I was not nervous walking in. But watching council communicators lean forward, take notes, and ask thoughtful questions reminded me why gatherings like Summit matter. We are stronger when we share what we know and bring new ideas back to our communities.
Carrying the Energy Forward
By the time Summit closed with council awards and recognition, it was clear that the week had given people more than new tools. It gave us renewed energy.
There were big moments, including keynote speakers, partner announcements, and evening celebrations. But there were also quieter moments that mattered just as much: conversations between councils, shared ideas over coffee, notes scribbled during sessions, laughter on the boat, and the feeling of looking around a room and realizing how many people are committed to the same future for girls.
Summit 2026 helped me understand that confidence, connection, and community are not only outcomes we hope girls experience through Girls on the Run. They are values we practice as a network.
For 30 years, Girls on the Run has helped girls build confidence, find connection, and experience community. In Cleveland, I felt all three.
