about the foundation

Katharina Tschirner

Katharina Tschirner serves as the race team's Community Engagement Manager. She serves as the contact for our corporate teams, manages the registration platform, and oversees the Packet Pickup events for all our races, always ensuring a positive experience for our participants.

Before joining the SVLG Foundation, she worked as a communications expert at KPMG in Germany. Katharina has a Master's degree in International Communication and studied in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family on a hike, run, or just in the backyard.

Chris Weiler

Chris Weiler serves as the Race Director for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation. In this role he oversees all aspects related to the planning and execution of the Foundation's charitable running events which donate more than $1M annually to local charities. These events are headlined by the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot which at 20,000+ participants is America's largest Thanksgiving Day race.

A graduate of the University of California San Diego with a degree in Quantitative Economics and Decision Science. His lifelong passion for endurance events along with a love of community and supporting those in need has led Chris to this role where he can accomplish all three together. Chris enjoys time exercising with his wife and daughter and loves running into people out on the trails who comment "Hey you're the Turkey Trot guy", "Yes I am!".

Laura Clendaniel

Laura Clendaniel serves as the Associate Director for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation. In her role, she oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of the Foundation's charitable events and initiatives, ensuring they run smoothly and create meaningful impact within the community.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Laura was Vice President of Programs at Healthier Kids Foundation, where she led school-based initiatives supporting the health and wellness of students throughout Santa Clara County. Laura earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Oregon State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. When she's not working, you'll find her hiking, skiing, or spending time with family and friends--often accompanied by her dog.

AHMAD THOMAS

Ahmad Thomas is a former investment banker and senior Congressional aide, he brings two decades of experience working both in and on behalf of businesses, social enterprises, and governments, where he has honed a cross-functional skill set grounded in finance, purpose-driven growth, strategy, business development, public policy, and communications, with a deep working knowledge of the practice and application of stakeholder capitalism principles.