She Sends Foundation Enters New Era with Courtney and Hauswald
SAN RAFAEL, California — April 18, 2025 — Professional mountain bike racer Kate Courtney, 2018 cross-country world champion and one of the sport’s most recognized athletes, is stepping into a new chapter in 2025 — both on and off the bike.
Racing as a privateer for the first time in her career, Courtney is also bringing fresh energy to the She Sends Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and empowering women and girls in cycling.
To lead the foundation, Courtney turned to someone who helped shape her own journey: Vanessa Hauswald, longtime executive director of the NorCal Interscholastic Cycling League and a champion for youth riders across the country.
“Vanessa was always the dream candidate for this role,” said Courtney. “She not only understands how to run a successful nonprofit, but she’s also built programs like GRiT that align perfectly with our mission of getting more girls on bikes.”
A Full Circle Moment in Women’s Cycling
For 15 years, Hauswald was a constant presence at NorCal races, known for her high energy and deep belief in the power of sport. Among the many young riders she inspired? A teenage Courtney — then the only girl on her high school MTB team.
“She made me feel like I belonged,” said Courtney. “Her infectious enthusiasm and the way she saw every rider — it made a huge difference.”
A Mission to Close the Gender Gap in Cycling & Building a Stronger Future for Girls on Bikes
The foundation will provide grants to individual athletes, grassroots programs, and community initiatives, all with the goal of increasing access, building support networks, and elevating representation for women in the sport.
“I’ve spent my career trying to change the fact that American girls are 50% more likely to drop out of sports than boys,” Hauswald said. “We have work to do to recruit and retain girls in sport. We are far from parity in cycling, and we’re excited to be a small hinge that helps swing a big door here.”
Together, Courtney and Hauswald bring vision, passion, and leadership to the foundation’s next chapter — aiming not only to close the gender gap in cycling but to redefine what’s possible for women in the sport.
“Vanessa believes in this mission — it’s what she’s dedicated her career to,” Courtney added. “I couldn’t be more excited to share in this next chapter of her journey.”
About the She Sends Foundation:
The She Sends Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on increasing access, opportunity, and visibility for women and girls in cycling. Through grants, mentorship, and community partnerships, the foundation supports the next generation of riders.