Robyn Cousin

Open Board

I discovered my joy of running in 2003 when I ran my first 10K. I participated in several 5K and 10K’s recreationally over the next few years. In 2017 I ran my first marathon, Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth. I also ran the Twin Cities Marathon that October but then suffered some knee injuries and had to scale back. I completed a few 5K and 10K’s, Grandma’s Marathon and the TC10 mile in 2018 and the Rock and Roll half marathon in DC in 2019 but recurring knee issues have sidelined me for a while. I’m also doing the virtual TC 10K this fall, although it will be more fast walking than running. I’m slowly getting healthy again and my goal is to build up to running 5Ks and 10Ks this year.

I bring a multitude of experiences serving on several boards, primarily with nonprofits at both the local and national level. This includes ‘working’ as well as ‘strategic’ boards, focusing on governance, policy and monitoring. I have had the privilege of serving in multiple leadership positions during my career, including president, vice-president, chair, vice-chair and treasurer. Currently I serve on the board of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union and the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Program board.

My special talents are strategic planning, organizational development, training and development and work in the field of volunteerism, community involvement, equity and inclusion and racial justice.

Initially I would like to focus on advocacy and how creating a more diverse and inclusive membership could strengthen the organization. Unfortunately running is perceived by many I know as an elitist activity and cliquish. My interest is in creating a space for running to be embraced by more of our disenfranchised communities.