On March 15th, Charlotte Hagan laced up her running shoes and tackled 13.1 miles at the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, not just as a personal challenge, but as a commitment to Summer Search students across New York City and in support of Summer Search as a whole. 

 “I’m running this race because every young person deserves the opportunity to explore their potential and dream big about their future…I hope my run inspires others to get involved and help ensure even more young people have access to Summer Search’s programs.” 

Charlotte is a Research Coordinator at Select Equity Group and lives in Manhattan. Her connection to Summer Search began through Select Equity Group, a longtime supporter of Summer Search NYC. Over time, that connection deepened.  

“After attending several events, becoming an employee advocate felt like a natural next step. Hearing directly from students about how the program has shaped their confidence, goals, and sense of possibility is what makes my connection to the organization feel so personal.” 

Charlotte’s efforts as a Summer Search advocate is driven by her belief in mentorship. When asked to share what mentorship means to her she said:   

“To me, mentorship means consistently showing up…It’s a space free of judgment where someone feels seen, heard, and supported across different areas of life. At its core, mentorship is built on mutual trust and genuine care for another person’s well-being and future.” 

Charlotte has definitely demonstrated her own consistent commitment to taking action for young people through her race! Preparing for a half marathon is no small feat, especially in the middle of a New York winter. Charlotte balanced three weekly runs with strength training, rest, and recovery, all the while remembering the “why” behind her run to keep her motivated.  

She emphasizes that running a half marathon is just one of a myriad of ways each of us can show up for our community and the causes we care about.

Interested in supporting Summer Searchers, either as an individual or through your company? Learn more about how you can take action with Summer Search.