Holden Leadership Center

Executive Committee

Executive Committee

Program Director - Lauren Sangster

  • Class Standing: Senior
  • Major: Elementary Education/Special Education
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: I got involved with Dance Marathon because I thought it sounded like a lot of fun!  After my first year as a dancer I was hooked!  The event itself is so powerful and inspiring and I love seeing all of the lives that have been touched by Children's Miracle Network.  I think that I have a personal connection because both of my parents are in medicine and I have seen some of the amazing things medicine can do now and I feel strongly about continuing that.  I also think that there is nothing better than watching a child smile and have fun and that is what DM is all about!
  • Favorite Dance Move: The Jazz Square
  • Favorite Song: "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn
  • Fun fact: I am obsessed with the TV show Big Brother and am addicted to Diet Coke.

Program Director - Joel Miller

  • Class Standing: Junior
  • Major: Human Physiology
    Minor: Spanish, Chemistry
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: Last year's Co-Director of Recruitment & Morale Director, Nikki, and I were in a leadership class when we were introduced to a new program in 2006 that involved dancing, kids, and bringing the campus together in a leadership event that would be a lasting tradition at this school. Excited to not only be a part of something new on campus, but also to help kids while having a great time, we started that year and have been with Dance Marathon ever since. 
  • Favorite Song: "Shake it Like a Salt Shaker" by Ying Yang, from 2007's wildly popular Monster Mash.

Community Development Director - Jennifer Balestracci

  • Class Standing: Junior
  • Major: Theater Arts
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: I am involved with Dance Marathon because after I participated as a dancer my freshman year, I knew that I had to be on the committee to plan for this amazing event. When I see the families who have been helped by Children's Miracle Network, I know that everything we do to plan and put on this event is worth it and that somebody will benefit from it.
  • Favorite Dance: My favorite dance would have to be the morale dance because it brings everyone at the event together and it boosts everyone's morale when people start to get tired. It makes everyone feel better and it makes everyone come together for one cause.

Families Director - Maggie Callery

  • Major: Family and Human Services
    Minor: Spanish
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: I love Dance Marathon because it is a great way to make a difference in the lives of children and families, it connects you to the campus community as well as the Oregon community as a whole, meeting and working with inspiring people, having fun, and positively impacting your community is what Dance Marathon is all about!
  • Favorite Dance Move: The Shopping Cart
  • Favorite Song: "Dance to the Music" - Sly and the Family Stone

Families Director - Kayleigh Catron

  • Class Standing: Sophomore
  • Major: Family and Human Services
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: I got involved with DM because it is an inspiring and fun way to connect U of O students with the Children's Miracle Network. Our campus is known for being so involved with volunteering, community service, and social activism, and I think DM is one of the great examples of why we got this reputation.
  • Favorite Song: I'm an absolutely terrible dancer, but I will dance my heart out to Way I Are by Timbaland.

Finance Director - Tonya Hahn

  • Class Standing: Junior
  • Major: Business Administration: Finance
    Minor: Economics
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: You get to help little kids and their families by DANCING for 15 hours...what's not to love?!
  • Favorite Dance Move: I'm a big fan of doing the "Shopping Cart" while rocking out to "Larger than Life" by the Backstreet Boys

Marketing / Fundraising Director - Lee Anne Denyer

  • Class Standing: Sophomore
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: This will be my second year working with Dance Marathon and I chose to become involved and stay involved with this group because Dance Marathon encapsulates everything an event should be. The money we raise goes to the Children’s Miracle Network who in turn provides countless sick children with the assistance they need to improve their health and morale. Besides raising money for an amazing foundation, Dance Marathon is an incredibly fun and memorable event. I am almost positive there is not a better way to spend a Saturday than dancing with friends, listening to music, eating, and raising money for an awesome cause. We hope to see you, and all your friends, on January 31, 2009 for the University of Oregon annual Dance Marathon.
  • Favorite Song: "Don’t Stop Believing" - Journey

Marketing / Fundraising Director - Alicia Van Bourg

  • Class Standing: Sophomore
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: I wanted to work with Dance Marathon because I participated last year as a dancer and had so much fun.   I really believe in the mission of Dance Marathon, so I thought being a part of exec. would be a great way to help Dance Marathon grow and be able to help more families in need!

Catering / Sponsorship Director - Sarah Devor

  • Class Standing: Sophomore
  • Major: Educational Studies
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: This event is a perfect place to meet new people, make up some hip new dance moves and do something that is helping the lives of others. I love children, and to know that I can play a part in saving a life is one of the most rewarding feelings.
  • Favorite Dance Move: The Running Man
  • Favorite Song: P.Y.T.

Catering / Sponsorship Director - Josh Ehlers

  • Major: English
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: I joined Dance Marathon after a very persuasive friend shoved an application under my dorm door freshmen year. After I hung out with the kids and saw what the Children's Miracle Network could do for them I was hooked.
  • Favorite Dance Move: The Mashed Potato
  • Favorite Song: "What is Love" by Haddaway

Recruitment / Morale Director - Kenzie Gauthier

  • Class Standing: Junior
  • Major: Educational Studies
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: I love to dance, help out the community, meet new people, and do something for kids! It's really awesome and makes me feel great and seeing kids having fun and enjoying themselves because of something a huge group of people put on is amazing, plus it gives me a lot of time to come up with new dance moves and test them out on a big crowd!
  • Favorite Dance Move: The Sprinkler
  • Favorite Song: Low
  • Fun Fact: My ears are shaped like question marks

Recruitment / Morale Director - Emily Leonard

  • Class Standing: Sophomore
  • Major: Dance
    Minor: English
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: I got involved with Dance Marathon completely for the kids and the positive results that happen because of people like us; being able to help them in this way is the best feeling anyone can experience!
  • Favorite Song: "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire

Entertainment Director - Jake Sweeney

  • Class Standing: Junior
  • Major: Biology
    Minor: Chemistry
  • Why I got involved with Dance Marathon: I got involved with DM becasue I had a great time being a dancer at the event last year, and I wanted to be more apart of DM this year.
  • Favorite Song: "Build Me Up Buttercup" by the Foundations