Anne Mahlum | Founder and CEO

Updated: March 13, 2012

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.

Founding a National Nonprofit Organization

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.

Media Coverage

Anne and Back on My Feet have been featured on several national media outlets, including:
- The Today Show, 2010 and 2012
- MTV, 2012
- Wall Street Journal, 2012
- NBC Nightly News, 2010
- Fitness Magazine, 2010
- Runner’s World, 2009
- Women’s Health Magazine, 2009
- ABC World News, 2008
- CNN Heroes, 2008
- And many more
A complete list of national media can be found on Back on My Feet’s website.

A National Advocate for People Experiencing Homelessness

In March 2012, “The Break,” a documentary about youth homelessness, aired on MTV. Anne was the host of this show and she joined this project at the request of U2’s, The EDGE, Gigantic Productions and MTV. You can learn more here.

A Seasoned Public Speaker

Anne regularly speaks at corporate events, academic institutions and conferences. She has spoken to intimate groups of 20 to as many as 35,000 youths. She has presented on inspiration, leadership, the business behind starting a nonprofit, fundraising, social change and of course, the issue of homelessness. The following are a list of some the companies, schools and conferences that Anne has presented at in the past two years. Some of them include:
- Keynote for Accenture’s International Women’s Day, March 2012
- Keynote for Marriott’s Customer Appreciation Annual Event, March 2012
- Keynote at the New Hampshire Homeless Providers and Education Liaisons Partnership Conference, December 2012
- Keynote at the US Chamber of Commerce, Business Civic Leadership Center, April 2012
- Keynote at Sabra Hummus Annual Meeting, August 2011
- Wharton School of Business, 2009 and 2011
- Keynote at the GlobalFit 5th Annual Summit - Innovations in Wellness, May 2010
- And many more

If you are interested in having Anne speak at an event or conference, please contact Casey Venella or click here:

Awards and Accolades

Anne has also received numerous awards for her work, which include:
- Circle of Excellence, CEO Magazine, 2011
- Washington Business Journal “Top 40 Under 40,” 2011
- Top 10 Fitness Heroes, Fitness Magazine, 2010
- State Farm Community Hero Award, 2010
- Bismarck High School Hall of Fame, 2010
- Philadelphia’s top 40 under 40, 2010
- Heroes Among Us, Boston Celtics, 2010
- Alliance Inspiration Award, Philadelphia Alliance, 2010
- Power 30 under 30, Apex Society, 2010
- Penjerdel’s Citizen of the Year, 2009
- Champion of Health, Women’s Health Magazine, 2009
- Young Professional of the Year, Young Variety Club, 2009
- Hometown Hero, Philadelphia 76ers, 2009
- Next Generation of Leaders, Philadelphia City Council, 2009
- Honorary Degree, Manhattanville College, 2009
- ABC World News Person of the Week, 2008
- CNN Hero, 2008
- 101 Top Philadelphia Young Leaders, 2008
- ABC World News Person of the Week, 2007

Also presented with:
- Good Neighbor Award by the Philadelphia Phillies
- Hometown Hero Award by the Boston Celtics
 

Anne’s personal website is www.annemahlum.com