Stacey Hopstad
REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Intermountain
Role Model
Of all, my mom. SHe is a force to be reckoned with
Most vulnerable when
My family is threatened in any way. Mama Bear comes out.
Pets
Tread, dog
What I advocate most for:
Equal rights and opportunities for women and girls. I hope my girls grow up in a world where they can be anything they want and get paid equally for their hard work.
Natalie Diane Koncz
AMBASSADOR
Pacific Coast
Role Model
Georgia Gould
Most creative when
suturing complicated wounds at work (in the ER)
Greatest fears you are willing to face:
Fear of heights: mastered. Fear of drowning: mastered. Fear of snakes: do I really need to face that one?
Hidden skill
Wrapping presents
Katie Cutting
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Model Growing up
Picabo Street
When do you feel most creative?
I love pulling out an old watercolor set now and then, playing with the colors and trying to recreate some of the incredible landscapes I've seen.
Hidden Skill
Excel Spreadsheets! Probably common to most people, but as a nurse I never had to learn how to use them. In the last year I've learned how to make formulas and manipulate data and I'm pretty proud of that!
Name and species of pets
Cowboy, a rescue dog
Stephanie Durbin
WILD SKILLS PROGRAM MANAGER
Pacific Coast
pet
Daisy, a rescue
Why is it important to you that barriers to access are removed
The more diversity and inclusiveness there is in outdoor activities the greater the impact it will have on our communities with greater chance of environmental preservation.
six word story
to make a difference in life.
How has being an outdoors woman helped you heal/grow/become?
Being in the mountains grounds me, fills my soul and brings me joy
Raquel Rexach
REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Southeast
Role model
Sally McRae
Most creative:
My creative pursuits include drawing and painting. I even have my own etsy where I sell some of my designs!
Most unusual fear
My most unsual fear is a phobia of poking my eye out on the edge of an open kitchen cabinet.
Pet
Django, dog
Laraine Martin
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Role Model
Rey from new Star Wars trilogy
Most creative:
I feel most creative with an open window, a beautiful view, and a breeze blowing in while I click away at the keyboard. Writing is one of my favorite creative outlets, and I enjoy letting the words flow! I post occasionally on my blog, - it's fun and serves as an easy-access online portfolio.
Most vulnerable
I am in love, and love makes us vulnerable. Especially for those of us who value our stubborn independence (I certainly do) - this can be a huge challenge. But I am learning to open up and be vulnerable regardless. It allows us to grow in profound ways, to let others in.
Pet
Lieutenant Dan, barn cat
Mary Anne Powell
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Songs
First song: "Lime in the Coconut;" Without background music: "Unwritten;" Karaoke: "Fat Bottomed Girls"
Pet
Tilly Jean, dog
Why do you want to break down barriers to access?
We find a higher sense of self and belonging when connected to our mother nature. That should be easily accesible to everyone because it is a beautiful, rewarding relationship.
Truest sense of belonging
Immersed in any culture/environment completely foreign to me. Bonus points if I don't understand the language!
Jessica Ensslen
AMBASSADOR
Pacific Coast
Role Model
Robin Van Gyn
Most creative when:
I feel most creative in life when I am filmmaking or chainsaw carving. I love to carve unique characters such as Girafficorns or Yetis wearing goggles. I am currenlty in film school to learn to make documentaries featuring women in extreme sports.
Pet
Bettie Paw, dog and Hendrix, turtle
Most important to me
Helping my children find their own passions to persue
Betsy Manero
REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Rockies
Role Model
Arlene Blum
Most creative
I love designing my own sock patterns and giving them to friends
Song you can sing word for word without background music
I know every word to Truth Hurts by Lizzo. I sing it every time I'm scared on top of a ski line.
Six word story
Climbed a mountain and never left.
Mack Piwonski
AMBASSADOR
Pacific Coast
Role Model
Brene Brown
Unusual Fear
Getting a papercut in my eye
Truest sense of belonging
“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” – Brene Brown
Pet
Fritter, the kitty
Amber Pouley
BRAND AMBASSADOR
Pacific Coast
What is most important to you
Having work-life balance and being able to play outside. Riding bikes year-round and skiing in the winter.
What did you do that you never thought you could do?
Started taking drops mountain biking and getting excited about learning jumps. Also, becoming a nurse. It felt like such a big undertaking a few years ago and out of the question about eight years ago.
Greatest sense of belonging and personal power
On my bike
Leesa Johnson
AMBASSADOR
Intermountain
Role Model
Nellie Bly
Most creative when:
Choreographing skating programs for my skating students. I also enjoy creating our garden and improving our home.
Pets
Beezus the cat; Willy and Spuky Bluester, dogs
Why do you want to break down barriers to access
Because being in the outdoors can literally save lives.It saved mine.
Kelsey Rode
EVENT COORDINATOR
Northeast
Role Model
Jennifer Pharr Davis
Most creative
I feel the most creative when I set out on runs or hikes without mapping out a course and test trails as I discover them. As someone who works in public service, I also feel creative when I can piece together solutions for as many stakeholders as possible.
Traits of my fave female outdoor partner
My favorite outdoor female adventure partner knows her strengths and weaknesses well, bringing knowledge and honesty to our excursions!
Most vulnerable
When I don't have time for quiet and solitude
Hannah Feltis
EVENT COORDINATOR
Rockies
Role Model
Mia Hamm
Greatest trait of female adventure partner
A love of being a newbie! I look up to people who can stay positive and psyched when learning something new.
Six word story
To be rad, first be bad.
First song
The first song I can remember dancing/singing to was Carol Kings album Tapestry while doing saturday cleaning with my siblings!
Allie Leveillee
WILD SKILLS INTERN
Pacific Coast
Most clearly able to see my true self
In an outdoor space I know - a familiar trail or wave break - and with people I trust
Biggest critic of:
Structures of power and privilege
Greatest sense of personal power
Starting something and finishing it
Self care and preservation
Ashley Saupe
REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Far North
Role Model
My Grandma
Unusual Fear
Of a waterbottle falling under my pedals while driving
Quality in female adventure partner
Tenacity
Values in work and play
Compassion, Indefatigable Spirit, Enterprising Curiosity, Tenacity in Persuit, Readiness for Sensible Self Denial
Anna Twohig
GRANT WRITER
Pacific Coast
Role Model
The Notorious RBG
Most creative when:
I feel incredibly creative when grant writing for work or the nonprofits I volunteer for (SheJumps and Evergreen East MTB Alliance); every single grant is different and a new challenge to solve. Other creative pursuits include refurbishing vintage or junk furniture, taking on a wide array of DIY craft projects, and making jewelry or sewing gifts for my close friends.
Qualities in female partners
Essential traits in an outdoor female adventure partner: 1. Challenge me, 2. Support me, 3. Bring a sense of fun and don't take themselves too seriously
Pet
Mary Jane, dog
Courtney Kizer
EVENT COORDINATOR
Intermountain
Most creative:
I'm an architect and my great designs come when in the wilderness
Traits of best female adventure partner
Competitiveness meshed with careful decision making. You can't cross the finish line if you aren't in one piece.
Pets
Hass & Sager are my horses, Arabian brothers, and Myrtle is my dog, a GSP - All three are built to go all day on their trail and we spend alot of time in the back country together!
Six word story
never say "no" because adventure awaits
Sam Millsap
AMBASSADOR
Intermountain
Most creative when:
I am the most creative when doodling words and phrases or playing a stringed instrument around a campfire.
Truest sense of belonging
Whenever I am sharing knowledge with children especially in a classroom or ski hill.
To recharge:
I get outside or read a book
April Webster
REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Pacific Coast
Fave product for outdoors:
Bicycles hold a special place in my heart for a variety of reasons. As a kid, I explored town on my bicycle and could have adventures without relying on anyone else. As an adult, I can get around town faster than in a car (yay, congestion!) and feel healthy to boot! On a social note, something that has fascinated me is learning about the revolutionary impact bicycles had on women's empowerment and freedom of movement in the early 20th century.
Katy Scott
EVENT COORDINATOR
Pacific Coast
Role Model
RBG
Pet
Brisi, dog
Fave female adventure partner traits:
My mom! She can get me to do pretty much anything!
Most creative when
I feel most creative when I am camping or off the grid. You can create so many great gadgets and tools with just what you carry along on a raft trip!