Our Team
Shawn Barnett
Founder & Director
Shawn Barnett is the founder and one of the directors of Running Down a Dream. I have dedicated myself to personal growth and finding ways to help others, particularly children, through my passion for running. I was introduced to running by my dad at the age of five, and completed my first half marathon when I was just 8 years old, at one time the youngest person to ever run the Austin half marathon, something I was on multiple tv stations, in the paper, and on the radio for. Growing up in a running community that was geared more toward adults, I found solace, motivation, community, and safety through running which gave me a healthy escape from the challenges of school and social pressures. To date, I have run 6 full marathons and 10 half marathons, but my goal is to run at least 1 marathon in all 50 states.
Recognizing the lack of publicly known running groups for kids in San Antonio and Austin, I was inspired to create a similar supportive environment that I grew up in for adults, but for kids. My vision led to the founding of Running Down a Dream, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing running shoes, health education, and running/walking training to kids from 1st to 12th grade. Our organization also fosters a running community where kids can train for races and receive rewards for their achievements. My journey wasn’t without its own struggles. I stopped running for 7 years during my teenage years (13-20 years old), a period during which he faced various challenges and unhealthy habits. Reflecting on my experiences, I realized the importance of running in building mental and physical strength, resilience, and healthy habits from a young age so they stick with you even when times get tough. This understanding fueled my commitment to ensure that no child is held back from running due to a lack of resources.
My academic background includes studying Political Communication, and Business & Public Policy at the University of Texas at Austin and I recently graduated law school at St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio, Texas in May 2024. Outside of my nonprofit, work and studies, I enjoy spending weekends running, biking, and exploring around Central Texas, lifting heavy things at the gym, floating and swimming around in water, playing uno with friends, and spending time with my family, usually at sporting events. I continuously remain inspired by the impact running has had on my life and continues to have and I want to find new ways to give that to others, including a possible new run club tied to Running Down A Dream for ALL ages.
Jeff Barnett
Director
Jeff graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Management and a BA in Government. Then he went to law school at Drake University Law School. After moving back to Texas and passing the bar, he became licensed to practice in state and federal courts of Texas. His legal practice focuses primarily on business entity formations, mergers & acquisitions, contracts, collections, wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate.
When he is not practicing law, Jeff is also an avid runner, marathoner, and marathon coach. He has completed over 37 marathons in more than 15 different states, and he has a goal of finishing a marathon in each of the 50 states. Beyond that, he aspires to complete a marathon on all 7 continents, having already completed 2, Europe and United States. He has been a Marathon Coach and Summer Training Program Director for Austin Fit (USA Fit Austin) and has also been a Marathon Coach for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training.
Gayle Rosenberg
Director
Gayle graduated from the University of Texas with a BA in English. Over the years Gayle has served on the board of directors for multiple charities including the American Cancer Society of Jasper County, the Freeman Hospital Foundation, and the Southwest Missouri Arts Council.
She has also served on numerous committees such as the Chamber of Commerce Cultural Affairs Committee in Joplin, the Foxfire Farms Project for the Childrens Miracle Network, the Autism Advocacy Committee, and on the Public Relations Committee for one of her local community health clinics, which serves members of her community that cannot afford private medical services.
She has served on the board of multiple businesses, including but not limited to, the Ladies Board of Directors for a local Country Club, during which she established an “Art on Loan” program. This program allowed artists to display their paintings for one month at a time on the walls of the club, giving them exposure to possible buyers who could contact the artists to buy paintings and support local artists.
When she was not working with charities and organizations, Gayle has long enjoyed taking yoga courses, Stotts Pilates, and walking around her neighborhood. She is married to her husband Jay and they spend time living in both Joplin, Missouri and Austin, Texas