Anne Mahlum

Anne M. Mahlum is the Founder and CEO of Back on My Feet (BoMF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating independence and self-sufficiency within the homeless and other underserved populations by first engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. After launching in Philadelphia in July 2007, the organization has expanded to Baltimore, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Atlanta and New York City. Anne has led the organization to grow to a staff of 40+ professionals with thousands of volunteers and hundreds of Members.

Anne is responsible for the vision, strategy and national fundraising efforts for Back on My Feet as it expands across the country. The organization has seen revenue growth of 92% from 2009-10 and 32% 2010-11, and is deliberate in diversifying its funding streams. To support the organization's aggressive growth, Anne created unique fundraising events and campaigns such as the Stroehmann Back on My Feet 20in24 Challenge, a 24-hour race with seven events. The race celebrates its fifth year in 2012 and is expected raise more than $300,000 for the organization.

Anne attended graduate school at American University where she obtained her Master's Degree in Political Communications in 2003. She is an avid runner and has completed 10 marathons. It's her goal to run a marathon on every continent and Antarctica is the last one on her list. She is originally from Bismarck, North Dakota and currently resides in New York City.

Anne's relationship with running began when she was 16 as a way to deal with her father's struggle with a gambling addiction. While Anne could never find a way to help her dad, she found her own answers in the life lessons that surround running, such as taking things one step at a time and learning the value of being on difficult roads. Ten years later, Anne's running led her past a homeless shelter in Philadelphia where she developed a friendly rapport with some of the residents. One morning, she realized that running could benefit these individuals in the same way that it helped her. Back on My Feet had its first official run on July 3, 2007 and in just a few years, has grown to a $4.8 million nonprofit that's moved hundreds of individuals experiencing homelessness from dependency to self-sufficiency.