Mary Kate Vanecko
Founder and Executive Director | marykate@boxunited.org
Mary Kate is the Founder and Executive Director of Box United. She formerly worked as a Fulbright scholar to South Africa, a coordinator at the United Nations Foundation, and a management consultant at Accenture. Mary Kate is a current MBA student at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business with a concentration in entrepreneurship and social impact. Mary Kate is a trained boxing and yoga instructor and is on a mission to bring the power of boxing to every Chicago girl.
Claire Trinkle
Development Director | Claire@boxunited.org
Claire is a fundraising professional, fitness enthusiast, and advocate of women's health. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a master's degree in Public Administration and Management from DePaul University. Claire is a former Fulbright scholar to Spain, and has professional experience in grants management, research administration, and community engagement. Claire is a fitness instructor and strength coach in the local Chicago area and is delighted to be a part of the Box United team.
Cameron Dowd
Program Director | Cam@boxunited.org
Cam is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where she earned degrees in both Psychology and Anthropology. Her boxing career began at Notre Dame where she was captain of the Women’s Boxing Club and two-time champion. Since graduating, she has taught 3rd grade at the Academy of St. Benedict the African in Englewood and served as a coach for Fight Like a Girl. She is currently pursuing her MSW at Loyola University Chicago and enjoys boxing, cooking for friends, and reading in her spare time.
Erica Rodriguez
Program Director | erica@boxunited.org
Erica is a dedicated youth development professional and experienced fighter and boxing coach. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Human Development from Northwestern University and a Masters of Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University. She began her boxing career in college as a way to de-stress as a first-generation college student. She became captain of her boxing team and eventually won the Chicago Golden Gloves championship. Erica comes to Box United with a depth of sport-based youth development experience in Chicago’s communities. She is excited to join the Box United team and help make every girl in Chicago a champion of their own life.
Kyung Stankus
Operations Director | kyung@boxunited.org
Kyung (she/her) is an interdisciplinary leader with expertise from the nonprofit, creative and community engagement fields. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies & Spanish and two master’s degrees in Public Administration and Business Administration. Kyung is passionate about contributing to the community in which she lives, works and plays in, as well as women’s health + wellness. Inspired by people to design for impact, Kyung believes in personal transformation as a practice of collective change and is committed to empowering the emerging generations through her contributions with the Box United team.
The Box United Team
