Name: Anna Yankanich

Major: Supply chain & information systems

Previous THON Experience:

THON 2023: Alumni Engagement Director
THON 2022: Donor & Alumni Relations Alumni Engagement Captain
THON 2021: OPPerations Committee Member

What made you want to apply for a director position for THON 2024?

I wanted to serve as a director for THON 2024 so I could give back to an organization that continues to make such an incredible impact in the lives of families affected by childhood cancer. I also wanted to take strides to help grow the organization and spread awareness on a large scale. As the Merchandise Director, I have the opportunity to support both the emotional and financial support sides of our mission, and I could not be more excited to help make a difference in a new way. Enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer is truthfully my passion.

The impact THON has made on my life is beyond measure, and I wanted to aid in its development to touch as many lives as possible. I believe in this community, and I believe in this mission. I wanted to serve as a member of the Executive Committee of the largest student-run philanthropy in the world to empower the THON Community and get us closer to the day we dance in celebration of a cure.

What are your responsibilities as a THON director?

As the Merchandise Director, my primary responsibilities include overseeing the smooth operations of the in-person and online THON Store, leading a team of 20 captains and over 50 committee members, and ensuring all volunteers are equipped and easily identifiable at pre-THON events and THON Weekend. It is the Merchandise Committee’s mission to spread awareness in a physical space, and that would not be possible without all of our incredible volunteers.

What do you want to implement in your position this year that’s different and differs from years past?

This year I really want to utilize data to make informed decisions and optimize our impact. As a supply chain major, it has been such a cool experience applying my technical knowledge from my degree to my position as the Merchandise Director. I have been working in collaboration with the Data Analytics/Forecasting Captains to improve our ordering process, cutting costs, and maximizing profits so that we can increase the yearly total donated back to Four Diamonds.

Additionally, I want to focus on implementing more initiatives aimed at increasing our sustainability efforts. Reducing the amount of packaging materials required to ship orders, selling reusable water bottles at events, and reducing excess inventory with special event sales like the Grab Bag Sale are all ways we are working toward greener operations.

What makes your committee so cool, fun, and/or important?

I love the Merchandise Committee because we can impact both the emotional and financial support sides of THON’s mission. We spread awareness in a physical space and help families, volunteers, and supporters preserve memories by commemorating events with unique merchandise. All profits go directly to THON’s total, and it is incredible to be able to quantify our impact every year.

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with the Merchandise Committee for THON 2024?

I want to increase collaboration within the Merchandise Committee and with other committees. MERCH is a team committed to ensuring the successful operation of the THON Store and online store (check us out here). We would not be successful without our captains and committee members, and I want to ensure everyone feels supported, appreciated, and empowered throughout the year. Additionally, I hope to work closely with committees like FIN, PR, and TECH to develop the best practices and improve MERCH for years to come.

Why do you THON?

THON has become one of the most important elements of my life. Seeing the results of our fundraising first-hand has shown me that this organization truly does change lives. I THON to provide as much support as possible to our families, both emotionally and financially, and to help them continue to make memories. Every moment matters, and ensuring our families can continue making magical memories together is at the core of why I strive to play even a small part in the fight against childhood cancer.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

I’m not sure I can choose just one favorite memory, but one really impactful moment from the past year for me was Pep Rally during THON Weekend 2023. My committee had just finished distributing shirts to create the “White Out,” and I took a second to look around. I saw our volunteers confidently executing their responsibilities to make the event run smoothly, organization members and spectators creating an incredible atmosphere, and our families enjoying the moment and creating memories.

For me, it was a culmination of a year spent getting to that point where the THON Community was empowered and ready to make a difference. It really puts into perspective just how many people it takes to make our events possible and create such a large impact. In 2024, I want to do everything I can to get our community to that point again.

Per Onward State tradition, if you could be any dinosaur, which one would you be and why?

I would probably be a brontosaurus because I watched the movie “The Good Dinosaur” and thought it was really cute, so I looked up what kind of dinosaur the main character was, and it said he was a brontosaurus.