Meet the Staff
Updated: February 3, 2010
Anne Mahlum, Founder and President, Shoe Size 8
Click here to read Anne's story
Jonathan Shur, Chief Operating Officer, Philadelphia, PA
After reading an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer in July of 2007, Jonathan immediately picked up the phone, called Anne Mahlum and said, “I am in”. Living and running in Center City Philadelphia for over 10 years, Jonathan was immediately hooked on the unique concept of using running as a vehicle to help move the homeless population towards a self-sufficient life. It wasn’t until he showed up for his first run with the original 9 members of the program did he fully realize the power and the possibility of the Back on My Feet program. The idea was so simple, yet so powerful. Assisting Anne with various aspects of forming the organization and relying on his numerous years of sponsorship and marketing experience to help grow the brand and raise funds for Back on My Feet, Shur continued to play an integral role with Back on My Feet while serving as the organization’s first Chairman of the Board from May 2008 to December 2009. As Back on My Feet expanded and the national agenda became more of a priority, the need was apparent to identify someone to come in and operate the day-to-day business objectives for the organization. It was a match made in heaven.
Serving as Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan’s primary focus is to ensure the overall success of Back on My Feet from a business perspective ensuring that organization is operating effectively while always keeping the vision and mission of Back on My feet at the forefront. He will be working very closely with Founder and President, Anne Mahlum to advance the organization’s goal of being nationwide.
Prior to his role at Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan was a Senior Marketing Manager at Penn State Sports Properties where he handled all of the marketing, media, and sponsorship for Penn State Athletics. When not hard at work, Jonathan enjoys running (of course!), travelling, walking his St. Bernard, and most of all spending time with his wife Jennifer and daughter Harley.
Maureen O’Toole, Vice President of Special Events and Corporate Communications, Philadelphia, PA, Shoe Size 9
Maureen graduated in 2007 from Drexel University with a degree in International Area Studies. During her last Co-op she worked with Anne as an intern for the Dash for Democracy 5K. “This was my first exposure to the running world and I haven't looked back since! I couldn't help but be drawn to BOMF from the start. The positive change and the smiles on our members' faces are what I love the most.” Email Maureen
Wylie Belasik, Program Director, Philadelphia, PA, Shoe Size 13
Wylie’s first connection to running began while attending Kennett High School in nearby Chester County, after which he received BA’s in Political Science and Communication from the University of New Hampshire. Wylie competitively trains for half and full marathons and has been running with BOMF since day one. “Being a part of BOMF has been an incredible experience. I have met people and formed relationships that I never thought possible and I learn more about the world each day through experiences with other BOMF members…Watching our members complete their first race is amazing. To see someone’s face light up and realize another part of their potential is inspiring.” Email Wylie
Austin Gee, Program Coordinator and Team Leader, Ridge, Philadelphia, PA, Shoe Size, 9
Austin started running in college when he was too small for the soccer team and ended up falling in love with the sport! He learned about BOMF while living in Delaware, and was excited to join the team upon moving to Philadelphia to teach in 2008. From team member to team leader to full-time employee, Austin lives and breathes BOMF! “I cannot stress enough just how successful this organization is at building relationships across all societal barriers - We are all runners. I am continually inspired by our members’ dedication to moving themselves forward- one step at a time!” Email Austin
Owen Camuso, Director of Outreach and Member Services, Philadelphia, PA, Shoe Size 10
Owen graduated from Penn State University in 2008 with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology. After graduation he worked at local Philadelphia homeless shelter where he was introduced to BOMF. He went from being a volunteer to a team organizer, and eventually a BOMF full-time employee. “I have learned a lot about the members I have meet though BOMF, I have also learned a lot about myself…watching our members have success is what brought me to where I am today with BOMF.” Email Owen
Kim Sauer, Manager of Internal Affairs, Philadelphia, PA, Shoe Size 7
Kim came to BOMF in January 2009 from the corporate world of sales & marketing. “I went from running one mile then, to running the Broad Street 10-miler in May. The organization is amazing and I’m so grateful to be a part of BOMF – I can’t imagine my life without it!” Email Kim
Sandi Maro, Director of Growth and Expansion, Philadelphia, PA
Sandi Maro graduated from Bucknell University in 2006 with a degree in business and an obsession with orange and blue. Following graduation, Maro worked as a consultant for Accenture, specializing in healthcare and working on projects for payer clients across the US. From her days as a high school cross country runner to now marathoning in her 20’s, Maro loves to run and is grateful for the sanity and self improvement it brings. On a snowy winter morning in early 2009 she found herself headed to 9th and Buttonwood to run with the team at Our Brothers Place. From that day on, Back on My Feet became a part of who she was; Maro continued to run with OBP and, in June, became Team Lead for Interim House.
In December 2009, Maro left her career in consulting to accept the role as Director of Growth and Expansion for Back on My Feet, where she will lead the development and launch of Back on My Feet chapters. Working with local government and associations, volunteers, corporate sponsors and shelter facilities, Maro will work to bring this amazing organization to new cities. “This career is the marriage of my passions: strategy and business development coupled with a social mission I could not be prouder to support,” Maro said. “I believe in always trying to be the best version of yourself; Back on My Feet is a community of people doing just that and I could not be prouder to call myself a member of this organization.”
Email Sandi
Jackie Truncellito, Program Director, Baltimore, MD, Shoe Size 8
After graduating from Loyola College in 2005, Jackie “Trunce” Truncellito spent two years as a high school teacher and coach on the island of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia. Upon returning to the States, she followed her crazed obsession with running back to Loyola, where she is now going into her 3rd year coaching Cross-country and Track and Field. “With a passion for service and speed, Back on My Feet is the perfect blend of that which gives me life! I couldn’t be more proud to be part of the team!” Email Jackie
Nikia Williams, Director of Member Services, Baltimore, MD
Well, I believe that everyone should know that I am the sweetest Georgia Peach that anyone will ever meet. Although I have ties to the great state of Alabama, I have some of the best memories and have learned some great life lessons in Georgia…besides Georgia is where I was born.
I was having a hard time finding purpose in my life. It was time for a journey. The country gal decided to move to the big city! Now what? I landed in Baltimore, Maryland. I did not have a college degree. I did not have a job with benefits. I had almost nothing. I came to Baltimore with $1500 and a temporary place to stay. However, by the grace of God, I began to find my way.
I graduated from Coppin State University with a degree in Applied Psychology in 2004. Nevertheless, after completing some certification requirements, I became a classroom teacher, teaching students with special needs instead of pursuing the Psychology route. I learned a lot by working with these children, that we ought to live like they do. They forgive often, laugh out loud as loud as they want, they continue to try instead of giving up or in…oh boy! It has been great! Teaching has been very fulfilling, but now it is time to start a new chapter in life, something a little more challenging.
I remember thinking I needed to get back in shape. So what do you do? You pick up a running magazine. Or at least that is what I did. I first heard about Back On My Feet after reading an article in Runner’s World. I clearly remember getting distracted and not being able to finish the whole article and saying too bad it is not in Baltimore or else I would be all over it! Had I finished the last couple of paragraphs, I would have seen it was coming to Baltimore. I was a little upset, but I got over it.
A couple of months later I was online, registering for a 5k training program in Baltimore and saw the phrase “Back On My Feet” on the same website and could not believe it. It was here. I don’t truly believe in luck, but what I do believe is God wills things into our lives and that day Back On My Feet found me. I have been nothing but blessed since becoming part of the team.
I hit the ground running! Hahaha! No pun intended! But that is what I did. I wanted to know what can I do, how can I help, where do you want me? I was pumped (and still am)!!Jackie T. had an idea, already, where she wanted me. I became the Team Organizer for Baltimore Station and have enjoyed every bit of it.
Well, needless to say, one main idea of Back On My Feet is to move lives forward. I realize I am not that much different from the men and women we help. I just adopted that idea as my own and decided “hey, I am doing this but WHAT ELSE can I do? I have gained more confidence and a better sense of self”. Now what? So here I am. I am delighted to give back what only seems to be a portion of what this organization has given to me. The impact the teams have had on me, I can’t begin to explain how much my life has changed. I am grateful the opportunities that Back On My feet has presented to me. I can now better do those things I enjoy doing in the community serving others, giving big hugs, making others smile, and ensuring a better quality of life. Email Nikia
Shannon Varney, Director of Development for Boston Chapter
Prior to joining Back on My Feet as Director of Development in Boston, Shannon served as the Founder and President of Veterans Up and Running, a Boston-based nonprofit organization committed to motivating and mobilizing the homeless Veteran population. After exploring the benefits of a strategic partnership, Veterans Up and Running merged with Back on My Feet in December 2009.
Prior to starting Veterans Up and Running, Shannon worked as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs and was a joint-inventor of a popular consumer product sold by Thane Manufacturing. Shannon also served as an active volunteer at Citizen Schools and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay. He has completed the past four Boston Marathons, and he will be competing in the 2010 Ford Ironman in Louisville. Shannon received his B.S. in Finance from Boston University.
Christopher Wink, Director of Media and Social Marketing, Philadelphia, Shoe Size 12
Christopher is a former full-time freelance journalist and a 2008 graduate of Temple University. He manages the Web presence and promotion arm of BOMF.
A resident of the Fishtown neighborhood, he says he's amazed by the power running can have on creating a community of support.
Charlotte Matri, Outreach and Member Services Intern, Philadelphia, PA, Shoe Size 10
Charlotte is currently a junior at Drexel University, majoring in psychology. She recently joined the team in September 2009 and works closely with Owen Camuso. She became interested in BOMF when she came across the job description during her internship search. “I am so excited to be a part of this team. BOMF gives so much hope to the homeless population and shows that even those who experience extremely hard times, with the help of a few great people, can get a second chance and reach heights they had never imagined were possible.”
Cathryn Sanderson, Special Events and Communications, Intern, Philadelphia, PA
Cathryn Sanderson is a graduate student at University of Pennsylvania studying Nonprofit/NGO Leadership. She works with Maureen O’Toole and Lauren Williams in Special Events and Communications. “I am so impressed with the level of support that BOMF is given. The organization’s ability to revive the community, in more ways than one, shows the important role that BOMF has taken in community building. I am not surprised to see that support and awareness for the organization has quickly spread across the nation."
