Wendy Johnson: A Steady Presence, A Lasting Impact

Meet Wendy Johnson: a longtime Girls on the Run coach, a retired physical education and health teacher, an avid biker, and someone who truly loves helping girls succeed. For nearly 20 years, Wendy showed up for Girls on the Run with heart, consistency, and a deep belief in what girls are capable of when they’re supported and encouraged. Season after season, she helped create a space where girls could feel supported, confident, and proud of who they are becoming. Wendy has also been an incredible advocate for Girls on the Run beyond coaching, helping spread awareness of the program and its impact throughout her community.

Wendy’s path to Girls on the Run began with inspiration from Nancy Heydinger, founder of Girls on the Run Vermont, who encouraged her to get involved. As a physical education and health teacher, Wendy immediately connected with the program’s mission and values. It felt like a natural extension of the work she was already doing every day, supporting the whole child, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too.  

Over the years, Wendy coached two different Girls on the Run teams, including at Dover and Grafton, VT, bringing her warmth and steady presence to each team and coaching 4 days a week! “Girls on the Run is empowering, fun, and essential,” Wendy shares. She believed deeply in what the program offered and showed up fully, whether that meant leading a lesson, cheering from the sidelines, or offering quiet encouragement when a girl needed it most. Her commitment to the program also extended beyond coaching as a dedicated SoleMate, raising funds to help ensure more girls could experience the confidence, connection, and joy that Girls on the Run provides. 

One of Wendy’s favorite parts of coaching was watching the girls grow throughout the season, a powerful and rewarding experience. “The girls really need it,” Johnson says. By the end, the girls carried themselves differently. They trusted their voices more. They believed in their strength. Seeing that growth in self-confidence is what stayed with Wendy long after each season wrapped up.

One moment that stands out for Wendy is the 5K event day, watching the girls cross the finish line. Her husband noticed how much pride she felt watching the team cross the finish line and how deeply she felt each girl’s accomplishment. For him to recognize that meant the world. It was a small moment that captured something big: how much heart Wendy poured into the girls, the program, and every season she coached.

Through it all, Wendy’s goal was simple and powerful: help girls succeed, feel confident, and know they matter. Though she’s retired, Wendy Johnson coached this past season, making it season number 19 for her! 

Wendy’s dedication to Girls on the Run Vermont extends now even beyond coaching. She proudly participated in our first-ever Vermont City Marathon Coach Relay Team in May of 2026 and raised funds as a SoleMate for Girls on the Run, helping ensure more girls have access to our life-changing program. As a coach, advocate, SoleMate, and GOTRVT champion of almost 20 years, Wendy continues to make a lasting impact on Girls on the Run and the countless girls she has inspired.