{Social - Emotional Empowerment Learning & Movement For Girls}
BIG NEWS!!!!!
We learned some great lessons during the pandemic and one of those is that we want kids
everywhere to be able to learn the power of movement and how to use their voices to
advocate for themselves and others!
This means ALL of our curricula is now available to download for FREE!
Thanks to generous donors, we are able to ensure all kids everywhere can have access to
Mini Mermaids and Young Tritons!
STAFF LEADERSHIP
Heidi Boynton
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Head Coach/Founder Team Mermaid and Co-Founder/Co-Director of Finding Sophia (USAT Certified Coach, CPT, CLFC) - discovered on her own journey that the finish line is just the beginning in life. Heidi brings her unique perspective of coaching, non-profit work as well as her life-long desire to empower women and girls world-wide through endurance coaching, speaking, writing and service work. A health crisis in 2001 and an additional diagnosis in 2008 has been the stimulus for her to compete in endurance events as a way to enjoy life to the fullest while keeping her cancer in perspective. She has competed in over 25 triathlons, multiple marathons, and ultimately completed Ironman distance triathlons. Through her unique personal experience, she has helped women work through fitness and emotional blocks in training for races as well as for life. Heidi is married, has two sons and lives in Santa Cruz, California.
heidi@minimermaidrunningclub.org
Chris Deppmeier
Director of Operations
Chris is a wife and mom of three who believes crossing any finish line is magical and opens up a world of possibility. Before Mini Mermaids pulled her out of her full-time Mom role, Chris developed an extensive background in corporate financial and IT process, as well as in project management at Hewlett Packard and Agilent Technologies. She is passionate about athletics being an invaluable extension of the classroom in developing "life" skills for our children. Chris is a member of Team Mermaid Santa Cruz and loves to run, swim, hike, and escape to backpack as often as possible.
Marisol Godinez
Marketing and Graphic Design Coordinator
Marisol was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She attended Syracuse University where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Communication Design. Marisol brings out the uniqueness of MMRC by sharing her love and passion for running and moving her body through fun, happy graphics that inspire girls and boys to express themselves, find their voice and fall in love with running. If you can't find Marisol behind her computer, she is probably out surfing with her kids or running on the trails. She, her husband and their two kids live in San Jose, CA.
Allison Pfefferkorn
Program Coordinator
Allison has spent 20 years playing in the outdoors as her occupation. Whether it has been leading underprivileged kids on backpacking trips, teaching Boot Camp Fitness classes, organizing and training staff for summer camp programs, instructing mountain bike clinics or raising her 2 girls with her husband; Allison considers it all a great adventure. She believes being active with others creates healthy bodies, strong relationships, and great communities. Allison lives in Mount Hermon with her husband and 2 daughters.
CAPTAINS, COACHES & ASSISTANT COACHES (the only reason we are can do what we do!).
We have had the joy and privilege to work with many volunteer captains, coaches, and assistant coaches over the years. Their commitment and passion towards our program and our mission is key to the success of our program. We are always looking for motivated volunteers. Please email us for more info.