Mary Kate Vanecko

Founder and Executive Director

Mary Kate is the Founder and Executive Director of Box United. She formerly worked as a Fulbright scholar to South Africa, a coordinator at the United Nations Foundation, and a management consultant at Accenture. Mary Kate is a current MBA student at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business with a concentration in entrepreneurship and social impact. Mary Kate is a trained boxing and yoga instructor and is on a mission to bring the power of boxing to every Chicago girl.

Chlyla Wilson

Chief Operating Officer

Chlyla graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies and has completed her masters of science from DePaul University with a concentration in Public Service. Chlyla is the daughter of Otis Wilson, member of the 1985 Chicago Bears. She was previously the Executive Director of his nonprofit, the Otis Wilson Charitable Association for ten years. Chlyla has taught early childhood enrichment classes, ran multiple after school programs, and advocated for laws that mandated healthy food options in public schools.

Chlyla loves to spend time with family. She’s married and has one daughter and a fur baby. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, running, and cooking. 

Cameron Dowd

Program Manager

Cam is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where she earned degrees in both Psychology and Anthropology. Her boxing career began at Notre Dame where she was a two-time champion and captain of the Women’s Boxing Club. Since graduating, she has taught 3rd grade at the Academy of St. Benedict the African in Englewood. She now serves as Box United's Program Manager and a coach for Fight Like a Girl at multiple schools. She enjoys cooking for friends and reading in her spare time.