Rylie’s Story
Rylie's ARK was created in honor of a Rylie Guentensberger who had a huge impact on those around her - all because she lived a life designed to make others happy. Rylie died at the age of twelve and a half after a freak accident and twenty-eight days in the hospital. Those that knew Rylie will tell you that she sought to bring joy and happiness to those around her in every way. She was known for lifting up others and doing silly things to make someone smile. It's in this spirit that Rylie's ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) was created.
Rylie's ARK is committed to organically spreading kindness through random acts both big and small. We have been inspired by Rylie to live life putting others first and spreading happiness. Through the foundation, we hope to help individuals and families in times of need, sponsor scholarships to summer camps, pay sports fees, and much more.
Meet The Team
Meghann Guentensberger
President / Co-Founder
Meghann is lucky enough to have been Rylie's mom. With Rylie as her biggest cheerleader, she spent years as an English teacher, a triathlete, aspiring entrepreneur and dreamer. She completed Ironman Boulder just sixteen days after Rylie's death as a way to honor the fact that Rylie always challenged her to reach for her dreams. Heading up Rylie's ARK is Meghann's way of sharing the spirit of Rylie and continuing her legacy.
Ziggy Guentensberger
Co-Founder
Ziggy counts himself as truly lucky to have spent over twelve years learning from and being challenged by Rylie, as her dad. He is an avid hockey player and mountain biker. He enjoyed hours shared in the kitchen with Rylie as they cooked together. Rylie's ARK was Ziggy's brainchild and his way of keeping a small part of Rylie alive - spreading the kindness for which she was so well known.
Advisory Board
Jennifer Bennett
Jennifer’s heart for Rylie’s ARK and its mission stems from her friendship with the Guentensbergers over the last 10 years. One fun morning of sharing a lane with Meghann at a Master’s swim workout led to a treasured family friendship and an opportunity to grow Rylie’s legacy in our community. Jennifer relies on her background as a lawyer, web developer, technical writer, mom, and volunteer coordinator to bring as many ideas for spreading the influence of Rylie’s ARK to the table as possible. She loves working in the background to help others transform ideas into action and share the BIG impact of small acts of kindness.
Saskia Placke
Saskia is a Dutch translator, an entrepreneur at heart, and always looks for practical solutions. She lives with her family and two dogs outside of Dallas and likes to volunteer for different organizations. Saskia has been volunteering for Rylie’s ARK from the day it was founded and truly enjoys being part of the Army of Angels. She loves how Rylie’s ARK allows everyone to discover and unlock the kindness that is within each one of us. Sometimes you just need to be presented with an opportunity to tap into this kindness and the rest will follow. Saskia loves the awareness of kindness that Rylie’s ARK creates and is honored to be a part of this.
Heather Rakowski
Heather is a Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor. She loves encouraging and inspiring others to live the best life they can. Heather was drawn to Rylie’s ARK because she resonated with its mission of spreading kindness through random acts and creating joy. Heather met the Guentensbergers through hockey over 4 years ago. Their boys played on the same hockey team and the families connected right away. Rylie’s ARK has been an organization that Heather’s family has enjoyed being a part from the day it was founded. She is excited to be a part of this amazing organization and can’t wait to help create new ways to make other’s feel special through acts of kindness.
Betsy Larson
Betsy has been in the digital marketing space for over 20 years. While living in Chicago, she was on the founding board for the non-profit Beacon Place. Betsy moved to Colorado 7 years ago and truly missed being a part of a community based non-profit. After participating in the initial 2 years of Rylie's Run, she is thrilled to be a part of the board! Betsy is passionate about planning Rylie's Run and other events to help spread ripples and waves of kindness.
Cathy Caldwell
Cathy Caldwell graduated from CU Boulder in 1991 and moved to Chicago, IL to pursue a career in advertising. In Chicago, she worked for Frankel & Co (a marketing promotions agency) on the McDonalds account. Cathy moved back to Colorado and worked at The Integer Group on the Boston Market and Coors business. Then she married her husband, Scott, and had fraternal twins boys.
Cathy continued to work in freelance marketing and consulted for Donor Alliance and Breakaway Marketing Group while dedicating most of her time raising her boys.
Currently, Cathy is a sales representative for Pearl by Lela Rose (a woman’s clothing line based out of New York) where Cathy hosts trunk shows. Her twins are going to college and Cathy is looking forward to getting involved in Rylie’s ARK.
Cathy has always strived to live her life with the motto of quiet unexpected random acts of kindness to those around her.
Cathy feels honored to be working with Rylie’s ARK and is looking forward to working with the organization!