EXECUTIVE BOARD
President
Kylee Moore
Responsibilities: Oversees the overall strategy and goals for the organization in its entirety, along with the rest of the management team and advisor. Serves as the main point of communication and external representative of the organization.
Why I Dance: "I dance for more in our kiddos’ lives. For more days filled with birthday parties, endless laughs, favorite songs, sleepovers, and sweet treats. I dance to provide support throughout and after treatment, to ensure no one fights alone. No child should have to worry about how hard they can play, what they are allowed to eat, or when their next doctor's appointment is. I dance for each of our beautiful 52 kiddos and honor those who have gained their angel wings. I dance to encourage the next generation to continue this fight against pediatric illness."
Email: saudm.president@gmail.com
Management Team
Mason Roldan
VP Finance
Responsibilities: Oversees and plans the overall financial strategy and goals for the organization. Works with the Sponsorship and Fundraising Directors. Oversees Donor Drive and tracks both online and offline donations as well as manages the St. Ambrose University Dance Marathon Budget.
Why I Dance: "I dance in hopes that someday pediatric illness will be a thing of the past, and that our fighting kiddos can live long, healthy lives. I dance for the kiddos that are forever dancing in our hearts, as they will never be forgotten. I dance to be a part of something that has a real impact, not just for our 52 miracle families, but for other kiddos and their families as well."
Email: saudm.finance@gmail.com
Lily Roth
VP External Communications/Public Relations & Marketing
Responsibilities: Oversees the overall strategy and goals in terms of our public presence and relationships with our surrounding communities. Works directly with the PR and Marketing, Community Outreach, and Alumni Engagement Directors.
Manages internal and external communications of St. Ambrose University Dance Marathon. Oversees the creation of communication plans, manages social media and website platforms, oversees on-brand messaging (graphic design), apparel orders, and serves as the key spokesperson and media contact for the organization.
Why I Dance: "I dance so that each and every kiddo and family knows they aren't alone in their battle against pediatric illness. I dance for our strong, fighting kiddos, kiddos who have won their battle, and kiddos who are forever dancing in our hearts. I dance for more laughs, smiles, high fives, hugs, and memories made outside of the hospital. I dance to change kids’ health and change the future."
Email: saudm.prmarketing@gmail.com
McKennah Killian
VP Internal Affairs
Responsibilities: Oversees the overall strategy and goals regarding overall event planning in addition to engagement and retention of dancers. Ensures positive relationships with each of our Miracle Families throughout the year. Works directly with the Morale, Family Relations, and Entertainment and Logistics Directors.
Why I Dance: "I dance to become a light in the kiddo’s and their families lives in a time that is so dark. While there is nothing that will ever reverse the clock or change their bodies to that of a healthy child, DM offers love, support, laughs, and bits of everyday ‘normal life’ – where they don’t have to be sick, they don’t have to hear the word no, they don’t have to think about hospital life. Dance Marathon is a place where we give these kiddos prom, birthday celebrations, games of tag, movie nights, and slumber parties. I dance because Kids Can’t Wait!"
Email: saudm.prmarketing@gmail.com
Board of Directors
Sara Haller
Morale Director
Responsibilities: Oversees all Morale Captains and keeps the energy flowing on campus throughout the year. Responsible for putting on recruitment and retention events throughout the year. Creates the Morale Dance.
Why I Dance: "I dance for more. For more smiles, laughs, birthdays, first days of school, and endless memories to be made. I dance so that each one of our 52 miracle kiddos and their families know that no matter what, they have someone in their corner fighting this fight with them. No child and family should have to endure all of the challenges that come with battling pediatric illness. I dance so that more people will too be inspired and join this fight with these families to create the next generation of miracle makers. I dance to hopefully see the day where pediatric illness is nonexistent."
Email: saudm.morale@gmail.com
Audrey Pender
Family Relations Director
Responsibilities: Oversees all of the communication between our 51 Miracle Families and St. Ambrose University Dance Marathon. Plans all family events and activities. Builds close relationships with our Miracle Families who are being treated/have been treated at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.
Why I Dance: "I dance to put smiles on all our kiddos faces. I dance so our kiddos get the chance to just be kids and have fun without worrying about doctor’s visits and needle sticks. I dance so our kiddos and their families know they have support through their battles. I dance for all of our kiddos that are dancing in our hearts. I dance for the hope that one day we can live in a world without pediatric illness."
Carley Davis
Fundraising Director
Responsibilities: Oversees fundraising both within the St. Ambrose University community (including individuals, organizations, professors, and administration) and the Quad City area (including businesses). Plans canning and food nights for the year. Plans the annual fundraising Gala and other various fundraisers throughout the year.
Why I Dance: "I dance to hear laughter. I dance to hear the laughter of our kiddos as their worries melt away. I dance to hear the laughter of our miracle families as relief washes over them. Even if it is just for a moment, every miracle kiddo and family deserves to laugh until their bellies ache in a good way. No kiddo deserves to live a life without laughter. I dance for the kiddos forever dancing in our hearts, the kiddos who have experienced the unimaginable, and the kiddos that haven’t even begun their journey yet. I dance to end pediatric illness once and for all."
Email: saudm.fundraising@gmail.com
Isabel Morrison
Entertainment & Logistics Director
Responsibilities: Plans all of the events and entertainment for the day of the Big Event. Includes planning music, food, games, talks, and more. Scheduling and time management will be large factors into a successful day of event.
Why I Dance: "I dance not only for every child facing pediatric illness but also for those who have received their angel wings, most notably my brother, Weston Morrison. I dance in the hope that one day these children will be able to wake up and enjoy their childhood as any other child should. I dance for the families that are experiencing unspeakable grief. I dance with the hope that one-day childhood disease will be eradicated. Every second counts because kids can't wait, so why not dance day by day, struggle after struggle, battle by battle?"
Email: saudm.logistics@gmail.com
Katie Brewer
Community Outreach Director
Responsibilities: Coordinates high school mini dance marathons, and our Miracle Miles event. Spreads the name of SAU Dance Marathon in the community, as well as further help the community to understand and support the cause SAU Dance Marathon stands for.
Why I Dance: "I dance for all the kids who are fighting and for those who have fought their battles. I dance for the kids to have more days filled with lots of smiles, laughs, and memories for them to remember for a lifetime. I dance for their families to know that we are always with them. I dance for the next generation to continue to fight for the kiddos."
Will Nemechek
Sponsorship Director
Responsibilities: Responsible for local and area business sponsors, corporate sponsors, and grant applications. Oversees soliciting community partners for cash or in-kind donations to meet committee needs and support Dance Marathon.
Why I Dance: "I dance for those that cannot and for those who dance in our hearts. I dance for the kiddos that know more pain and hardship than most can ever even imagine. I dance for hope that there will be more tomorrows. I dance for the chance that these children will have the opportunity to be a kid. So that they can, one day, get back to playing, smiling, laughing, and dancing as every kid should."
Email: saudm.sponsorship@gmail.com
Katey Harrison
Alumni Engagement Director
Responsibilities: Engages with our growing alumni and graduate student pool. Oversees outreach to each unique student group and helps collect and distribute information for St. Ambrose University Dance Marathon. Creates alumni fundraising and meet up events. As well as alumni retention programs and newsletters.
Why I Dance: "I dance for more firsts. I dance for the kiddos to have more time doing everything they love. I dance for the families so they know that there are people here for them during these tough times. I dance for the kiddos that gained their angel wings way too early. I dance because no kid should have to deal with pediatric illnesses, the numerous pokes and sticks, and everything else that comes with fighting a pediatric illness both inside and outside of the hospital."
Gracyn Schriner
Advisor
Responsibilities: Overseeing the student leaders, offering advice when needed, and serving as a support system for the organization!
Why I Dance:
"I dance for more "first's"! More first day of school, and first best friend. More first high school football game, and first school dance. More first Dance Marathon Big Event. But it's not just the "first's," it's also more birthdays, more family events, more smiles, and more of everything else that makes life great and helps us grow."
Email: schrinergracyn@sau.edu