​UMNDM is completely student-led. All of us come together weekly,
each with unique talents and skills, to plan and facilitate our big event. 
​
​"Dance Marathon at the University of Minnesota promotes acceptance and support for the
children and their families receiving care at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare while 
​striving to heighten student and community awareness and involvement by hosting events throughout the year."
​
If you'd like to learn more about what we do together - or even better, join our team! -
feel free to e-mail one of our Directors at [email protected]

Kaci Vereecken
Co- President
​Kaci is a junior majoring in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development. Kaci joined dance marathon because she is passionate about bettering children’s health and loves making a lasting impact on the families of Gillette! Fun fact, Kaci loves to travel, read, attend concerts, and go to coffee shops!

Brenna McClarey
Co-President
​Brenna is a senior majoring in Finance with minors in Marketing & International Business. Her favorite moment in Dance Marathon is 'Sotathon and getting to meet all the kids and families. Brenna's fun fact is that she can do a 360° while wakesurfing!

Tyler Beck
​Director of Finance
Tyler is a senior majoring in Kinesiology. His favorite moment in Dance Marathon is seeing the impact it has on the kids who are involved in the organization. He is most excited for the new members to join and be part of this amazing group!

Taja Wright
Director of Fundraising
Taja is a senior majoring in Developmental Psychology. She joined Dance Marathon because it advocates for children’s health in a really special, fun way where everyone can be involved! Taja took a gap semester in the spring of 2023 and got to work in an elementary school helping kids! 

Gabby Locher
Co-Director of Public Relations
​Gabby is a junior majoring in Management Information Systems with minors in Marketing, Business Analytics, and Spanish Studies. Her favorite Dance Marathon moment is meeting all the families at 'Sotathon! Gabby's fun fact is that she studied abroad in Toledo, Spain!

Riley Rasmussen
Co-Director of Public Relations
​Riley is a sophomore at the U. Her favorite Dance Marathon memory is  'Sotathon 2023! Riley's fun fact is that she was born in South Korea!

Lauren Pardi
Co-Director of Event Planning
​Lauren is a senior at the UMN. Her favorite Dance Marathon memory was running around with the kids with orange bins on our heads playing red light, green light. Lauren is fluent in American Sign Language!

Allycia Tran
Co-Director of Event Planning
​Allycia is a senior at the U. One of her favorite memories was last year when she got to tour Gillette’s! Fun fact, Allycia has a tattoo that says yolo!

Grace Port
​Co-Director of Recruitment
Grace is a junior majoring in Marketing. Her favorite DM memory is watching people do karaoke and pie-in-the-face at Sotathon. Grace loves going to concerts!

Rachel Bollig
​Co-Director of Recruitment
Rachel is a senior at UMN. Her favorite DM memory is hanging out with the families every year at 'Sotathon! Rachel's favorite dessert is Caramel Apple Pie.

Amanda Paul
Director of Family Relations
Amanda is a junior majoring at the UMN. She joined DM because of the amazing kids we raise money for. Being able to celebrate and raise money with them at the end of the year during Sodathon' was like no other. Seeing their smiles and happiness made all of the hard work and many dedicated hours beyond worth it. She cannot wait to celebrate with them again this year!  

Amber Stevens
Director of Sponsorship 
Amber is a sophomore at the UMN. Her favorite DM memories are making the Christmas cards and decor for Sotathon. Totally not related to DM, but Amber says there are over 7,800 species of bananas (at least that’s what a tour guide in Jamaica told her).