The Twin Cities 3-Day is coming up fast, and our coaches can’t wait to welcome all the walkers to their hometown! Some of the Twin Cities coaches and staff have been with the 3-Day for a while, but there are also some new faces. It’s the perfect time to get to know your coaches better!
A new addition this year is Coach Dana Dalpra, who is joining the Twin Cities 3-Day team after spending the last six years living in Hawaii (lucky lady!).
Coach Stephanie says her “kind heart, her willingness to help everyone and her go get ‘em attitude” all make Dana a great part of the coaching team.
A big heart is common among all three ladies, with Coach Kiki Setterlund saying, “I love the care and compassion my colleagues have for, not only the big picture of ending breast cancer, but for each and every one of our participants. I participate in many different events for non-profits locally. I haven’t received the care and attention like my colleagues provide our participants. Truly.”
Dana echoes that, and is happy to join in the cause!
“I love my team! I don’t think we’ve had a call where we aren’t laughing. Their sense of humor is everything. […] Stephanie, Kiki and Eileen are so informed and organized that it’s helped me to dive right in with confidence. Additionally, I work very closely with the other 3-Day coaches across the country. Because of all of them, I feel supported which leads to the success of the Twin Cities 3-Day this year. It’s definitely a supportive, welcoming group effort.”
That is, in part, because of their history with the 3-Day cause. Coach Kiki used to be the Race Director for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Madison, WI, while Dana coached the 3-Day in Tampa Bay, FL for five years before her big move to Hawaii. Even Stephanie’s family has gotten involved, including her daughter who has served on the Twin Cities 3-Day Youth Corps.
In addition to their love for the 3-Day, both Stephanie and Dana have a passion for Italy, and list it on the top of their “must-visit” travel lists. All the coaches also love food! From a lavender glazed lemon donut (Dana) to “anything fried and on a stick” (Minnesota native Kiki), even salad (Stephanie)!
They also have some interesting past lives!
When she was young, Stephanie was a speed skater in Wisconsin, and trained at the same facility as future speed skating Olympians! Dana used to be a marine biologist, working at a range of zoos and aquariums, and Kiki was a Vocal Performance major in college who still has Eminem on her walking playlist of pump-up jams!
However, before they can take any time off for an Italian vacation or hold an Eminem dance party, they are working hard to have the Twin Cities 3-Day all ready for their walkers! Stay tuned for more fun memories and exciting plans from the coaches next week on the blog, and be sure to follow along with them on Facebook too!
Note: Coach Stephanie and Coach Dana won’t be present throughout the entire event at the 3-Day this year due to personal circumstances, but they will both be making an appearance to cheer on all of the Twin Cities walkers.