Marian House is excited to have Katie O’Brien and Nazish Weaver as our Co-Chairs for the 15th Annual Race to Embrace
Independence 5K Run and Walk. Nazish previously volunteered with our race and eagerly stepped up to co-chair our 2023 5K. Katie ran our race in 2022 and was encouraged to help lead as a co-chair in 2023. She has extensive experience racing different events, but this is her first time planning one.
Katie was connected to us by Tony Moag, COO at Whiting-Turner and is childhood friends with
Megan Ferris. Although born in New York, Katie grew up in Maryland and attended the University of Maryland to study civil engineering. She has worked at Whiting-Turner since she graduated 13 years ago, and does quality management for major healthcare construction projects. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 11 years. She lives in Catonsville with her 6-year-old son, 4-year-old -daughter and 11-year-old German Shepherd, Shaefer. She loves traveling and also competing in multiple races a year as a triathlete. Katie started volunteering at Marian House by serving on the WIE committee as a construction related resource. She joined the Board in the Fall of 2020 and sits on the Facilities Committee.
Nazish met Katie Allston & Karen Albert at a CareFirst Board Connect event that helped introduce nonprofit organizations to CareFirst employees interested in serving the community. She started volunteering at Marian House in Fall 2019 by joining the Advancement Committee and is now a member of our Board. Nazish has always valued a life of service and loves being an ambassador for Marian House and our mission! Her background includes a Bachelors in International Business and a Masters in Healthcare Administration. She works at CareFirst as an Account Consultant, managing retention with market employer groups from 2-199 people. She has been at CareFirst for 7 years and loves the relationship building focus that they have. She also happens to work with Mary Penczek, former 5K committee & Board Member. Nazish and her husband live in Owings Mills and have three adult children ages 21-26. In her spare time, she loves making jewelry, furniture flipping, and loves to walk and cook. She wholeheartedly believes that love is best shared through food!
While both Katie and Nazish have been busy planning our annual 5K, Nazish also finished a 20-mile Mammoth March walk in Newark, Delaware and enjoyed several weekend trips, while Katie has an upcoming family trip to Northern Italy & Switzerland for her parents’ 70th birthdays. As we’re wrapping up a fun-filled summer, we are all eager to see you at the race on September 30, 2023 – here at Marian House. Please REGISTER TODAY at marianhouse.org/5k