Our Team
Kathy DeBoer, MBA
Former Executive Director at American Volleyball Coaches Association; Published Author; Board Member since 2019 ; Board Chair 2025-2027
Mary Lloyd Ireland, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon; Professor, Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, University of Kentucky; Co-Founder of Active Girls Healthy Women
Johanna Hoch, PhD, MPH, ATC
Professor & Program Director, University of Kentucky Department of Athletic Training & Clinical Nutrition; Co-Founder of Active Girls Healthy Women
Brigid DeVries, MA
Former KHSAA Commissioner & UK Adjunct Professor; Member of the Bluegrass Sports Commission; Kentucky Ballet Theater CEO & Arts Volunteer; Board Member since 2019; Board Chair 2023-2025
Rick Ford, BBA, MBA
CEO & Founder of BRAINBOX Intelligent Marketing; Board Member since 2019
Lori Bolgla, PT, PhD, ATC
Kellett Chair of Allied Health Sciences; Professor, Augusta University; Board Member since 2019
Michelle Boling, PhD, LAT, ATC
Professor and Associate Dean in the Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida; Board Member since 2019
Kelly Cecil, BA
Owner & Founder, Kentucky Association of Wellness Professionals; Co-Founder, Associates in Rehab, Owner; Cecil Health and Wellness; Board Member since 2019
Alicia Helm McCorvey, MA
Former Professor of Voice at the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University; Currently on the Board for the Gatton Park on the Town Branch; Board Member since 2024
Natalie Novosel, BA
Senior Broker, Miliare Group; Former Professional Basketball Athlete; Board Member since 2020
Mary Noyes, BA
Involved with the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, Steadman Phillipon Research Foundation, The Aircast Foundation, and Portland Ovations; Board Member since 2019
Angela Stark, MS
Healthy Schools Specialist, Fayette County Public Schools; Board Member since 2023
Ricka White, BA
Former Owner & Operator, The Unfinished Universe Antique Restoration Business; Former Student Employment Supervisor, Human Resources, University of Kentucky; Board Member since 2024
Shannon Garrison, DO
Physiatrist; Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Kentucky; Board Member since 2025
Scott Lephart, PhD
Dean, College of Health Sciences
Nick Heebner, PhD
Director, Sports Medicine Research Instituten
Mary Lloyd Ireland, MD
Co-Founder, Active Girls Healthy Women
Johanna Hoch, PhD
Co-Founder, Active Girls Healthy Women
Dee Dlugonski, PhD
Program Director, Active Girls Healthy Women
Karolina Kopyonkina, MS
Program Coordinator, Active Girls Healthy Women
Loralyn Cecil
Director of Philanthropy, College of Health Sciences
Carrie Gloyd
Program Assistant, Active Girls Healthy Women; Integrated Strategic Communications Major, University of Kentucky
History
2018
Dr. Mary Lloyd Ireland and Dr. Hanna Hoch came together with an idea of improving the health of active women across the lifespan. This idea was supported by Dean Scott Lephart in the College of Health Sciences and a lead gift from Dr. Ireland.
2019
Dr. Dee Dlugonski joined the team in 2019 to direct the newly formed Active Women’s Health Initiative, which was renamed Active Girls Healthy Women in 2023.
- Girls Can Move! launched community outreach programs to increase girls’ physical activity.
- Started Champions of Active Women Podcast.
2021
The Movement Mentors student organization was created to mentor youth in the community.
2023
- Active Women’s Health Initiative was re-named Active Girls Healthy Women Program.
- Families Moving Together was formed to promote early physical activity and support healthy development among families with preschool-aged children.
2024
The Coffee Talk series was created to bring experts and community members together for meaningful conversations about girls’ and women’s health and physical activity.
2025
The Active Girls Healthy Women experienced continued growth, hired a full-time Program Coordinator, and expanded the Movement Mentor leadership team.