Team - Women's Wilderness

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kristen May

Chair

Kristen May

Chair

My passion for the outdoors began in Girl Scouts and summer camp- with lots of opportunities to explore nature with backpacking trips and canoeing adventures. After college, I bought a one way ticket to San Diego and started my career as an outdoor educator- working for companies like the Boojum Institute for Experiential Education, Colorado Mountain Club and Big City Mountaineers. I lead multi-day trips, base camp courses for first time campers, high and low ropes courses, and nature education classes. I took 5 months off during that time to complete a through hike of the Appalachian Trail back home on the east coast. Currently, I work in land management as part of the City of Westminster’s Open Space team. I am thrilled to support Women’s Wilderness and ensure that their programming is available for generations of adventurous people now and in the future.

I currently live in Arvada with my husband Andrew and two large rescue dogs, Whiskey and Luna. I love hiking, paddling, fly fishing, gardening and throwing on a potter’s wheel.

Patricia Châu Nguyễn

Vice Chair

Patricia Châu Nguyễn

Vice Chair

Patricia Châu Nguyễn (she, her, hers) has served as a diversity practitioner for 15+ years leading institutional efforts to champion inclusion and equity. Focused primarily in higher education, she has served as a flagship director for multicultural centers, social justice spaces, and other identity-based support services for marginalized student communities. She also focuses on inclusion efforts in volunteer management and philanthropic efforts. To combat the fatigue of getting into "good trouble" (as the late John Lewis would say), she spends her time outdoors on her mountain bike, in waders and fly rod, paddling, and car camping in National Parks.

Jen Frazier

Secretary

Jen Frazier

Secretary

President + Founder, Firefly Partners

I founded Firefly Partners in 2007 and have more than 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. During my tenure at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, I started our first online action network and helped build a database of more than 500,000 pro-choice supporters and helped organize the March for Women's Lives in 2004. I am deeply passionate about our work at Firefly and the organization’s we support. I love to hear what motivates our clients and to think of creative ways our team can help them move their missions forward.

As Firefly’s fearless leader, I set the strategic vision for the company, keep up with the latest in digital marketing and social impact trends, and support our team so we can continue to do great work for our clients. From local politics to reproductive rights to making outdoor recreation more accessible, I am a champion for progressive causes. I live in Boulder, Colorado with my two kids, my preferred mode of transportation is a bicycle, and I have a B.A. in History from the University of Oregon Honors College and an M.A. in Public Policy with a concentration in Women’s Studies from George Washington University.

Julie Voyles

Treasurer

Julie Voyles

Treasurer

Julie Voyles has worked in the nonprofit sector for thirty years in various capacities including as a social worker, legislative and policy advocate for LGBT rights, and Julie co-founded the Colorado Nonprofit Social Enterprise Exchange in 2012. For the past fifteen years Julie has worked in philanthropy as a program officer, foundation consultant and philanthropic advisor on both a national and local level. Julie serves on the board of directors for Prodigy Venture and is excited to join the board of directors for Women’s Wilderness. In her free time, Julie spends as much time outdoors as is possible and is an avid mountain biker and Crossfitter and dabbles in hiking, rock climbing, and skiing.

Dindi Gaines

Board Member

Dindi Gaines

Board Member

Dindi Gaines is a listening leader, supporting communities in their pursuit of better health, housing and overall well-being, for their diverse, growing communities, through authentic and impactful engagement. Dindi’s commitment to racial equity keeps her thinking of ways to close access gaps through tireless anti-discrimination education and advocacy for communities of color. Women's Wilderness served as an emotional and mental health support for Dindi and her daughter, and as a board member, Dindi is returning the favor, expanding visibility and knowledge of Women's Wilderness programming. Dindi is a Colorado native, proudly representing Montbello, she spends most of her free time, listening to live music, watching her daughter in equestrian competitions and spending time with family and friends.

Katie Bullock

Board Member

Katie Bullock

Board Member

Katie Bullock has been in the nonprofit sector for over 18 years and has a passion for philanthropy and the difference it can make in this world. She is currently dedicated to using her fundraising expertise to support those historically underrepresented, undeserved and/or systemically oppressed. Her experience ranges from donor advised fund management, event and community partner management, major gift fundraising and management and she has been involved with grassroots nonprofits, community foundations, higher education and academic medicine. Her newest role is with Tennyson Center for Children where she serves as Senior Director of Development. Originally from Columbus Ohio, Katie lives in Boulder County, Colorado with her husband, their daughter, a dog, and a cat and loves the outdoors. She was attracted to the mission of Women's Wilderness as she believes in the empowerment, growth and healing that nature can provide for girls, women and nonbinary people.

ADMIN STAFF

Kriste Peoples

Executive Director; Trailblazers Instructor

Kriste Peoples

Executive Director; Trailblazers Instructor

Kriste Peoples is a writer, speaker, trail running coach and outdoorist. Her work in the field of equity and inclusion in nature combines her passions of speaking and facilitating instructional workshops that connect underrepresented communities to new, empowering narratives of engagement and adventure.

Erin Jobe

Development Director

Erin Jobe

Development Director

Erin has a diverse background of experiences with grassroots nonprofits and community organizations with a focus on the outdoors. She has led watershed protection and education programming, managed one of the largest farmers markets in the Southeast, supported municipal outdoor event coordination and permitting, and in 2019 she created the Southeast’s first Women’s Trail Festival. She attended the University of Wisconsin as a Division 1 athlete and majored in Community and Environmental Sociology. Post college, she spent a decade in North Carolina where she fell in love with the biodiversity of the area’s mountains, forests, and trails. Erin relocated to Boulder, Colorado with her partner and daughter Nola in 2021. She is an avid trail runner and plant nerd. She’s not a light packer, so she prefers car camping to backpacking, but she will say yes to almost any outdoor activity that anyone proposes. She feels most alive when in community exploring and appreciating the outdoors, and she believes in the importance of infusing laughter and adventure into daily life.

Bekah Hayes

Impact Director

Bekah Hayes

Impact Director

Bekah grew up in Colorado’s Front Range, exploring the local trails and mountains, which fostered a deep appreciation for wild places and public lands. Bekah studied Cultural Anthropology during undergrad and went on to receive a Masters in Education from Prescott College with a focus on culturally responsive and place-based pedagogies. Bekah is also completing a certificate in Learning Experience Design with a focus on human centered design and user experience research. Bekah has taught, guided, and developed curriculum for public schools, charter schools and place-based experiential education programs across the Western US, Central Appalachia and Southern Africa. Most recently, Bekah has spent the last several years working in the EdTech industry coaching and mentoring graduate students and developing resources and processes that build resilience and a sense of belonging in students. Bekah is an aspiring potter, birth doula and ethnobotany nerd. When not at the office Bekah can be found biking, skiing and hanging out with her family.

Marley Steele-Inama

Director of Programs & Courses

Marley Steele-Inama

Director of Programs & Courses

Marley (she/her) grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, connecting with the natural world through her neighborhood parks and car camping with family. When she moved to Denver for college, new friends expanded her world of what adventure means, cultivating her long-term passion for outdoor recreation. Professionally, Marley has spent over 25 years engaging communities in wildlife conservation education, as well as evaluating environmental education programs and measuring impact. Working for Women’s Wilderness is a meaningful intersection of Marley’s passion for outdoor recreation and her commitment to equity, access, and inclusion for individuals and communities historically excluded from experiences in and with the natural world. Marley lives in Westminster with her spouse, daughter, and perfect kitty. Free time for Marley is spent mountain biking, running, snowboarding, floating our gorgeous desert rivers, reading, playing Ultimate Frisbee, and volunteering with a local racing company.

Stephanie Rose Zoccatelli

Director of People & Operations

Stephanie Rose Zoccatelli

Director of People & Operations

Stephanie Rose Zoccatelli (she/her) is a writer, coach, world-traveler, and truth-seeker. Growing up, she would get lost in reading books and found solace staring at Yosemite’s towering granite walls. Nature has always been a place where she could both reconnect to and meet new parts of herself; which is one of the many reasons she’s passionate about facilitating powerful outdoor experiences for others. She’s spent the past 7 years working in the coaching industry and childcare, where she applied person-centered, social justice, and sustainability lenses to her work. Always curious about learning new skills, she first came into contact with Women’s Wilderness in 2017, when she signed up for an outdoor rock climbing class. For the following year (2017-2018) she helped out with social media efforts, wrote guest blogs, and attended different community events as a spokesperson for Women’s Wilderness. After working as Gear & Transportation Intern in Summer of 2022 she's excited to continue being a part of the team and helping the organization run more smoothly.

Savina Treves

Youth Programs Manager

Savina Treves

Youth Programs Manager

Savina grew up in Patagonia, Argentina. Surrounded by the immensity and beauty of that landscape, from a young age, she developed a sense of belonging in nature and a feeling of responsibility for its protection. Once in Colorado, Savina completed her Master's degree in International Disaster Psychology and specialized in working with refugee and immigrant children and youth. As the Outdoor G.I.R.L.S. Manager, Savina is excited to support immigrant and refugee girls in finding community as they discover nature’s ability to offer joy and healing.

Lisa Smith

Gear & Transportation Coordinator; Trailblazers Instructor

Lisa Smith

Gear & Transportation Coordinator; Trailblazers Instructor

Originally from the “snow belt” of upstate New York, Lisa was drawn to Colorado and just had a feeling she would love being here. Her intuition was right! The Army brought her to Colorado and she never left. Retired from the male-dominated fire service, Lisa found strength and support throughout her career by networking with other women firefighters, and wishes to do the same type of women networking in the outdoor industry. Her goal is to welcome and introduce women of all colors to the beauty and benefits of the outdoors, and she occasionally nerds out on wildlife, plants, rocks, stars, and weather, taking those around her along for the ride with nature apps and reference books. She also actually loves the solace of tinkering in the gear room, where she organizes and repairs program equipment. Free time will find Lisa enjoying hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, all season camping (say yes to winter!), and playing ice hockey. A lifelong learner, she holds degrees in zoology, healthcare science, outdoor education, and park ranger technology. Lisa is also an instructor for the WW Trailblazers affinity group.

Cheyenne Smith

Programs Coordinator; Lead Rock Tech

Cheyenne Smith

Programs Coordinator; Lead Rock Tech

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Cheyenne is a certified AMGA single pitch instructor, field guide and entrepreneur. Her passions include cultivating mentor-mentee relationships and expanding her skill set in her interests (backcountry expeditions, rock-climbing, highlining, art and business). She's committed to creating real change for diversity, equity, and inclusion and to share the magic of nature with people of all colors, backgrounds, sizes, gender identities, and experience levels.

Megan Bowyer

Food Coordinator

Megan Bowyer

Food Coordinator

Originally from Colorado, Megan has spent her life exploring nature in and outside of the US. Initially seeking a degree in Outdoor Education, she worked for Washington State Parks for 4 years, completed three long-distance hikes, and volunteered with various outdoor programs. Ultimately, her lifelong interest in food, nutrition, and health promotion led her to obtain a BS in Human Nutrition-Dietetics and her Registered Dietitian Certification. Megan strives to help people from all walks of life to achieve healthy, happy lives through fostering community connection, movement, and nourishing diets. She couldn't be more excited to combine her love and knowledge of nutrition and the outdoors to help fuel the experiences Women's Wilderness offers. When not geeking out on food, Megan can be found romping in the mountains or desert, sun bathing with a good book, digging in the dirt, or playing music with her family.

FIELD STAFF

Satya Akquia

Trailblazers Instructor

Satya Akquia

Trailblazers Instructor

Hi! I'm Satya (she/her) and I'm excited to be joining Trailblazers this summer as a guide. I have multiple years of leading hiking and camping trips and a fair bit of experience sea kayaking and rafting. My favorite post long day in the forest meal is pizza. My dog is a big fan too (he gets the crusts). I'm also really into plants and history if you like to talk about that sort of thing on the trail. See you soon!

Katie Colson

GLFL Instructor

Katie Colson

GLFL Instructor

Katie (she/her) grew up in the Pacific Northwest among towering evergreen trees and picturesque Cascade mountains. She found her way to Colorado to study Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at CSU and enjoy more sunshine. Through her time in the Rocky Mountains, she developed a love for rock climbing and mountaineering, eventually leading her to guide ice climbing in Alaska and rock climbing Montana during her summers. Katie is a certified AMGA single pitch instructor and wilderness first responder who is committed to cultivating inclusive spaces outdoors. Her goal is to be a part of the change in creating a more welcoming space for people of all backgrounds outside.

Mac Dvorak

GLFL Instructor & Youth Summer Instructor

Mac Dvorak

GLFL Instructor & Youth Summer Instructor

Mac (they/them) grew up in rural South Jersey and recently made their way to Boulder, CO in 2023. Mac graduated from Hampshire College in 2019 with a BA in Critical Youth Studies. Mac was awarded the Business with Purpose Scholarship from Clif Bar in 2019 to fund a full-year independent project, where they worked with the National Eating Disorder Association and youth programs local to New Jersey/Philadelphia to create a body image and self-esteem outdoor education curriculum for girls. Following this, Mac spent several years as a Faculty Instructor at the Philadelphia Outward Bound School, leading backpacking, canoepacking and rock climbing courses for youth. Mac is continuing this work with Women's Wilderness in the Girls Lead for Life program, as well as working as a Mental Health Advocate at Nederland Middle/Senior School. Mac is passionate about helping young women and non-binary folks develop connections, a sense of self and community advocacy skills through outdoor education. When they aren't working, Mac can be found playing with their cat, making art and playing board games.

Brigit Stattelman-Scanlan

Field Instructor; Office Support

Brigit Stattelman-Scanlan

Field Instructor; Office Support

Brigit (She/her/ella) grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and recently moved to Boulder over a year ago. She has a background in environmental studies and political science from her university in Minnesota where she was also the Director of the Institute of Women's Leadership. Brigit grew up surrounded by the lakes and forest and constantly went on canoe trips, as well as hiking and camping adventures. She loves learning from her natural environment and constantly exploring new areas and learning from new people. Brigit is passionate about making the outdoors a welcoming and accessible environment for all people regardless of race, gender, experience, and ability. When she isn't guiding, Brigit works at an environmental non-profit as well as does pottery. See you in the backcountry!

Alison Lee Sikowitz

Youth Summer Instructor

Alison Lee Sikowitz

Youth Summer Instructor

I'm Alison (she/her), a hiker and climber originally from New York City. I'm a Wilderness First Responder who has backpacked over 2000 miles (and counting!), including the Colorado Trail and the majority of the Pacific Crest Trail. My outdoor experiences have led me to believe that there is no teacher quite like nature. My goal as an instructor is to foster connection, competence, curiosity and awe. Beyond outdoor adventure, I love all forms of art, life's hardest questions, and cute pictures of rodents.

Syd Slouka

Rock Tech

Syd Slouka

Rock Tech

Hi, my name is Syd Slouka (she/they). I am a lead rock tech and I have been running rock climbing courses with Women’s Wilderness since 2017. I am a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, climbing instructor at Movement climbing gyms, and validated nerd. My favorite jokes are ones with puns and my favorite group game is zip zap zop. My goal with Women’s Wilderness is to bring out the confidence and strength in everyone and to connect with others though climbing things, sharing jokes, and asking any and all questions. If you could have any food truck, what would it be? What will you do to get yourself to smile today? See you out there!

Amber Valdez

Youth Summer Instructor

Amber Valdez

Youth Summer Instructor

Born and raised in Central New Mexico, Amber spent summers wandering through the ponderosa pines and jumping junipers of the Sandia Mountains. Amber has experience working intake, logistics, and operations for various outdoor education organizations, including the Northwest Outward Bound School. She has been a guide in Wilderness Therapy and Nature-Based Early Childhood Education (Forest School!) and believes the natural world can be our greatest mentor. Amber is a certified Wilderness First Responder and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Social Work. Her passions include supporting accessibility and representation in the outdoors and reminding women/girls of their power. In her free time, Amber enjoys trail running, snowboarding, drinking tea, and napping in the sun with her pup, T-bone.

Ivana Vu

Youth Summer Instructor

Ivana Vu

Youth Summer Instructor

Ivana (she/her) has worked in non-profit environmental sciences for almost 20 years, with fieldwork taking her from the alpine tundra to the ocean floor. Born and raised in southern California to Vietnamese refugees, one of her favorite memories is when the family would load up the old station wagon and drive for what seemed like days to get to a national park. She moved to North Carolina as a teenager and then to Colorado in 2016, where she volunteers with local youth and first discovered Women’s Wilderness through a Trailblazers program. She is excited to work with kids from all backgrounds and hopes to share her passion for science, nature, and the outdoors with everyone. Ivana has hiked the Appalachian Trail, sailed across the Pacific, and currently works at NCAR’s Research Aviation Facility, where she daydreams about exploring more of this amazing world.

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