Meet our Team!
Our team is comprised of our Powered By Hope Ambassadors and Board of Directors.
AMBASSADORS
Our volunteer Powered By Hope Ambassadors, who many at some point have been Medal and Coin recipients themselves, are dedicated to growing the organization and driving awareness about Powered By Hope. Without our Ambassadors, we would not be able to present Medals of Hope and Coins of Courage as gifts to those in need. If you are interested in joining our amazing - Powered By Hope Ambassadors volunteers, Contact Us today.
Powered By Hope is in partnership but not limited to:
Cancer Support Community, Cardinal Glennon, Leaps of Love, Mercy, Missouri Baptist, Pedal the Cause,
St. Anthony’s, St. Louis Children’s, St. Luke’s, Siteman and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Care
To bring the Powered By Hope program to your facility Contact Us.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board members are dedicated to the success and sustainability of Powered By Hope. Without them, we would not be able to inspire others and save lives.
TERI GRIEGE, President & Founder
Teri Griege is a competitive triathlete, marathoner and Ironman who shares her moving story as she continues her fight with Stage IV colon cancer.
In 2009, Teri was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and given a six percent chance of survival. Despite the devastating prognosis, Teri refused to let the disease get in the way of her dream, competing in The Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. In 2011, while still undergoing chemo, she crossed the finish line. Teri has raced in all six World Marathon Majors and the 70.3 World Championship, and she continues to train and compete in races around the country.
As part of her mission to save lives and inspire hope, she recently published her book, Powered By Hope, the Teri Griege Story, with author Amy Marxkors. In the book, she goes deeper into her story of love, loss and finding hope in the face of adversity. As she writes, “Everyone has a cancer. Everyone has a dream.”
Teri has been a guest speaker for major organizations and has appeared on both on The Today Show, ESPN, NBC, and the Ellen DeGeneres Show’s Good News Blog. Upon hearing Teri speak, Sports Emmy Award winner Joe Buck said that Teri’s story “would inspire even the most hardened cynic.” Teri has received awards locally and nationally for her work in health awareness and fundraising, including the Colon Cancer Alliance Sapphire Award, the Women of Achievement Award in St. Louis and the WunderGlo Foundation Cancer Warrior award. She started the Powered By Hope Foundation to provide hope and support to anyone undergoing cancer treatment through the presentation of a medal with words of inspiration. The medal is given to patients to remind them that they are not alone and share hope as they face the challenges ahead.
Teri has traveled around the country sharing her story as an inspirational speaker. For more information or to book Teri Griege as a speaker visit: terigriege.com.
DAVID GRIEGE, Vice Chair
Hope mean s never giving up.
David Griege is the Executive Vice President and owner of Paramount Mortgage Company. With over 31 years in the mortgage banking industry, David has been instrumental in the growth of Paramount and its expansion into several markets. David graduated from Southern Methodist University with degrees in Economics and English. Active in the St. Louis community, he is currently the Vice President of the Home Builders Charitable Foundation. He has also served on the Creve Coeur Planning and Zoning Commission and the Creve Coeur Economic Development Commission. Married to his wife Teri for over 27 years, they are the proud parents of two children, Kyle and Kati.
Hope mean s never giving up.
RENEE VAN HORN, Director
Renee Van Horn is an endurance athlete and former coach, as well as a cancer survivor. In 2012 while training for her first Ironman, she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Not once did she think that maybe she shouldn't do the race, rather she knew if Teri Griege could train and compete with Stage IV cancer, then she had no excuse! Renee completed Ironman Florida while undergoing treatment, and has since finished Ironmans Wisconsin and Louisville. She is currently in remission. She enjoys being an Ambassador of Hope for the foundation, giving medals to other cancer fighters and thrivers.
Although she is finished with chemo and radiation treatments, and her hair has grown back, she still vividly remembers the support and encouragement from Teri to never, ever give up and to continue doing the things she loved. She has since hung up her triathlon gear but continues to pursue her passion for mountain biking, hiking, traveling with her husband, Roger, in their RV, cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks, and visiting their two great kids, Chad and Bailey.
