For Annie Seelaus, CEO of the women-owned investment firm R. Seelaus & Co., supporting Girls on the Run NJ East is about more than philanthropy—it’s about shaping a future where girls step into their power, speak up, and lead.
Annie was first introduced to the GOTR mission in her early twenties through a friend who coached for a council in Manhattan. Even then, she felt a spark of connection to the organization’s message. “My own life was transformed through access to sports," she says. "The skill set that sports gave me, along with the relationships I built with teammates and coaches, pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me set big goals.”
Years later, as a business leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Annie has become a champion for confidence-building programs like GOTR.
“We are seeing a crisis in confidence in young women in this country. It begins at an incredibly young age—when girls start leaning out of academic subjects and extracurriculars traditionally seen as male-dominated. GOTR is combatting that trend with a curriculum that teaches girls to believe in themselves and each other.”
Her support for GOTR NJ East is both strategic and deeply personal. “As a business leader, I believe a diverse management team leads to better results. To have a pipeline of women ready to fill those roles, I must support programs like GOTR that help get them there—and empower them to speak up once they arrive.”
Empowerment, for Annie, means having the freedom to lead authentically and be judged by merit, not gender. It’s also about creating space for others to rise. “Empowerment means using my voice fully to direct my organization, having a seat at the table where my opinion is valued, and most importantly, being in a position to protect and empower others.”
Her favorite moments with GOTR? The electric energy before the start of a 5K.
“Those few minutes before the race begins—surrounded by girls who’ve trained so hard, decked out in capes and tutus, buzzing with excitement—it’s magic. Their families and coaches are beaming with pride. In that moment, I know they’ve already accomplished everything that matters.”
Looking ahead, Annie envisions even greater impact. “We’ve seen how sports change outcomes and opportunities for girls. GOTR NJ East is creating that same roadmap through running—confidence, teamwork, resilience. My hope is that we reach even more girls, especially in under-resourced areas, and continue inspiring them to dream big.”
As Annie puts it, supporting GOTR is a way to pay forward the life-changing power of sports—and ensure that every girl has the chance to cross her own finish line, strong, confident, and surrounded by people who believe in her.