Every Susan G. Komen 3-Day® event has a core team of three coaches, each of whom plays a different role in helping our walkers and crew members prepare for the Komen 3-Day. For months, these dedicated staffers have been having personal conversations with walkers to help them with their training and fundraising, have hosted dozens of local events to bring participants together and build a community of encouragement, and have organized and inspired the amazing team of crew captains and crew members.

Let’s meet the coaches for the Twin Cities 3-Day® event!

Stephanie Winkel – Twin Cities Local Events Coach

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “Recruiting walkers and securing community involvement for a fantastic event!”

We’re a few weeks from the Twin Cities event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “Crazy! The last minute details are my favorite part- involving participants in our ceremonies; driving the route and getting community participation from local businesses and private cheering stations; soliciting donations to make the participant experience a memorable one; securing entertainment! I love watching it all come together.”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) I’m a nationally certified personal trainer and recently had an opportunity to box with Jillian Michaels (world famous fitness guru and trainer on the hit show, The Biggest Loser). This was my 3 minute claim to fame and gave me rockstar mom status to my 3 kids; 2) I’m obsessed with Pinterest and actually do use a lot of the things I pin; 3) I love my morning coffee so much I stand at the coffee pot everyone morning watching it drip until it’s ready. I’m useless until I have it.”

Eileen Barnick – Twin Cities Participant Coach

Eileen (second from right) and family

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “I support amazing people who are changing the world. #bestjobintheworld”

We’re a few weeks from the Twin Cities event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “Busy! My days are filled with wonderful interactions with wonderful participants. I am really getting to know the Twin Cities participants through the many emails and calls I am receiving. It’s that time of the event season wheb I am helping with missing donations, assisting with Online Check-In and providing event details. Everyone has a story that connects them to this cause. The conversations I have each day are very important to me because they help me understand how and why we have all been brought to this cause. I am looking forward to finally meeting all of the new 3-Day friends I have met as being the Twin Cities coach this year!”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) In my previous life (before children) I was a certified scuba diver and licensed stock broker; 2) In my future life (after children move out) there will be an RV and an ocean (watch out California friends!); 3) My one hidden talent (to the embarrassment of my children) is that I am a rockstar hoola hooper!”

Kiki Setterlund – Twin Cities Crew & Volunteer Coordinator

Silliness from Kiki and family

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “Fun, challenging, rewarding…all wrapped up in lots of laughter.”

We’re a few weeks from the Twin Cities event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “We’re kicking it into high gear here in the Twin Cities. We’re looking at maps and schedules and playing the ‘what if’ game ahead of time. This is all to make sure that the walkers, crew, community and others are safe, well supported and of course, having a good time on-event. I am in weekly contact with my Captains and Senior Captains: Kathy H., Stephanie F., Tami G. and Kate S. to ensure the Crew has the information they need and when they need it. We’re busy recruiting day volunteers and watching the amazing fundraising progress of our Crew. The days (and nights) are long, but they are so worth it. It’s exciting to see all of this hard work and preparation come to fruition. I’ve got an amazing team of Crew Captains I work with and could not be more thankful for them.”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) I once saved [opera legend] Placido Domingo at a special event from a man wearing a poncho and sombrero; 2) I have solid hips. I once broke a window by giving it a ‘hip check’; 3) My favorite past time is weekend ‘family cuddles’ with my husband Seth, and kids, Finn (8) and Evy (5).”

If you’ll be at the Twin Cities 3-Day, be sure to say hello to the coaches! They’ll be happy to see you!