Ambassador Program

Holly Mandarich

Would you like to join us as we empower all to enjoy, share, and preserve the hiking experience? Learn more about our NextGen Trail Leader and Ambassador programs.

Two Ways Individuals Can Partner With American Hiking Society

Each year American Hiking brings together five early to early-mid career leaders in the outdoor community with a diversity of identities from across the country. American Hiking provides these Leaders with training, mentorship, networking, trail stewardship opportunities, and professional development and gear stipends. Through this partnership, NextGen Trail Leaders build and refine their advocacy and outdoor leadership experience and skills, speaking out to elected officials, serving as ambassadors to the hiking community, building a nationwide stewardship movement, and championing conservation, equity, and inclusion.

2026 NextGen Application

Coming Winter 2025

Meet the NextGen Leaders

2025 NextGen Leaders

Ron Griswell

NextGen Stories

Apply Now to Be a NextGen Trail Leader

American Hiking Society (AHS) invites applications for its eighth class of NextGen Trail Leaders.

2024 NextGen Trail Leaders Celebrate National Trails Day®

AHS’s NextGen Trail Leaders hosted events in their communities to give back to local trails in celebration of National Trails Day®!

Meet American Hiking Society’s 2024 NextGen Trail Leaders

We are so excited to announce the 2024 class of NextGen Trail Leaders, bringing together rising stars in the outdoor community from across the country. Through American Hiking Society, NextGen Trail…

The (RE) Series: (Re)newing Our Hope in the Outdoors

For the past three parts of The (RE) Series, you’ve been a part of this journey with me, as I have led you through a metaphorical hike. This time, rather…

The (RE)Series: (Re)imagining The Outdoors

AHS NextGen Trail Leader, Thurman Hogan III, continues the journey of taking us on a metaphorical hike as he shares his story, experiences, and connection to the outdoors.

Transformative Leadership in the Outdoors

AHS NextGen Trail Leader, Tamika Graham, attended the AORE Conference, and shares her thoughts on the experience and key takeaways.

Thank You NextGen Sponsors and Partners

Meet the 2025 NextGen Trail Leaders

Kaci Stringer

Whitney Stohr-Hendrickson

(she/her/hers)

@rollin.n.rockin

Biography

Whitney Stohr is a consultant, philanthropist, educator, and activist, based in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband, two young sons, and their family pets. She loves spending her days outdoors, passing on her love of nature to her children. Together, the family spends their summers traveling the country in their beloved RV, camping and hiking along the way.

Born in the heart of the Yakima Valley in central Washington State, Whitney cherishes memories of spending days in her grandparent's apple orchards and venturing out on family hikes through the Cascades. Summer vacations included trips to the Oregon Coast with her family and weeks of camping with friends across the West. As a young adult, Whitney pursued her academic interest in environmental work, completing graduate degrees in conservation and ecological restoration (M.S.) and international environmental law (LL.M.), in addition to a law degree (J.D.). She spent years working in environmental policy in government, nonprofits, and the private sector.

In 2021, Whitney founded the nonprofit Kids Rise Fund, dedicated to supporting and uplifting kids and families with diverse needs. With her background in conservation, Whitney has leveraged her experience to drive forward important work advocating for the right of children with disabilities to access outdoor recreation and nature-based programming. As a medical and family caregiver herself, Whitney has experienced firsthand the healing impact of nature and continues to be a vocal advocate for equitable access to and accessibility within outdoor spaces.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I am excited to make new connections and for the opportunity to really exercise my advocacy muscles while learning all I can from my time in the program.

Ryanne Crary

(she/her/hers)

@ryrylouise

Biography

Ryanne Crary grew up on a farm in Northern Arizona, where she was raised to respect open spaces and the relationship wildlife plays in our everyday lives. Formally an Instructor and Animal Handler at the Phoenix Zoo, Ryanne's passion for wildlife and conservation education only grew, and she then received her B.S. in Parks and Recreation and Parks and Protected Spaces from Arizona State University.

Now an Outdoor Programming Specialist for her local parks and recreation agency, and an Arizona Master Naturalist, Ryanne focuses on getting every body on the trails and educating the public about their local wildlife and spaces and how they can protect them.

When she's not at work, Ryanne can be found either climbing her favorite routes of the Granite Dells or hiking in the Highlands of Prescott with her husband and her 2 pups and picking up every cool rock she sees.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I'm excited to get more people outside and work with AHS to spark a passion for conservation and stewardship in past, present, and future generations!

Brandan Freeman

(he/him/his)

@sweetbfree

Biography

Brandan Freeman is an Outdoor Recreation DEI Consultant from Saline, Michigan, who is passionate about increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor spaces. From his passion he founded “Shades of the Outdoors: A BIPOC Outdoor Enthusiast Community.” The community encourages participation in outdoor recreation by hosting a wide range of outdoor events throughout the year, and by engaging with outdoor organizations to challenge them to remove structures that allow inequities to persist.

Brandan is also a husband, father of a very adventurous toddler, and an avid outdoor enthusiast. Hiking, backpacking, and trail running are Brandan’s favorite outdoor activities. His most memorable adventures include backpacking in the wilderness of Alaska’s Denali National Park and hiking the length of Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park.

A few of Brandan's goals include finishing a section hike of Michigan’s “Shore to Shore” trail this year, and eventually visiting every U.S. National Park.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I'm excited to advocate for the protection and creation of trails. Especially ensuring access for individuals who have been historically excluded.

Jermia Powell

(she/her/hers)

@mia.on.the.media

Biography

Jermia is a black first-generation college student who was born and raised in southern Arkansas.

After leaving the little town she grew up in to move to Northwest Arkansas for her studies, Jermia’s life changed. During her time in the hills, she got the opportunity to go on beautiful trips with her college to several places, such as national parks, hiking trails, etc. In a short amount of time of being in a new environment, she learned a lot about herself and wanted to spend more time traveling outdoors with people she loved.

Therefore, Jermia set out to look for doors that will lead her to a career in conservation and a chance to do more with her life. Not only was she determined to explore the wonders of nature, but she also wanted to help people who lived in small towns like hers experience the things earth has to offer.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I’m looking forward to helping communities get connected with nature because I want everyone to have access to gorgeous open areas where they can relax and take a break from being around buildings all day.

Anjelica Avella

(she/her/hers)

@adventureswithanjelica

Biography

My name is Anjelica Avella and I am a proud Plus-Size Mexican American Hiker. I’m a full time speech therapist, caregiver, outdoor hiking community leader and nature enthusiast. Exploring local trails and mountain peaks is how I view the world. The trails have not always been welcoming for someone like me and it’s why I’m passionate about creating inclusive events for everyone. I aspire to inspire more women to venture outdoors and host free weekend hiking/backpacking trips for women.

While I did not grow up hiking, it’s all very new to me and easy to fall in love with a new trail. Backpacking has been a huge source of healing and growth for myself. I’ve solo backpacked the complete John Muir Trail and the High Sierra Trail. I’ve hiked many of the Southern California highest peaks. By the grace of god, I’ve even made it to the rooftop of Africa twice and aspire to help others reach their summits as well.

I was the subject and co-story produced the short documentary film, Forward, with SpruceToneFilms presented by Smartwool and Osprey. Forward screened in festivals all across the US and internationally while helping contribute to the Wilderness Society gaining enough signatures to pressure the Biden Administration to officially expand the San Gabriel National Monument by over a 100k acres.

Was once crippled by shyness most of my life, I’ve found my voice and hope to continue to represent in these outdoor spaces.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I’m most passionate about representing marginalized minorities as a Next Gen Trail Leader. Because so many of us are underrepresented in our outdoor spaces and industries. It’s important for us all to create inclusive opportunities in the outdoors and provide resources for conservation and education to grow within our communities. I’m very excited to learn and grow within American Hiking Society while advocating for the outdoor spaces we all know and love. Especially during our country’s time of need when we completely need to be all hands on deck to protect our National Parks and public lands.

American Hiking Society Ambassadors

Shawnte Salabert

Hiking experts, leaders, content creators, and most importantly passionate advocates of the hiking experience.

Join the Ambassador Team

Apply Here

Wesley Trimble

Meet the AHS Ambassadors

Current Ambassadors

Shawnte Salabert

AHS Ambassadors:

Represent American Hiking Society as a voice for hiking and public lands across social media and AHS communications.
Provide content and storytelling for the AHS Blog and social media channels.
Receive advocacy and communications resources to be effective advocates and leaders.
Join or support annual National Trails Day® events in their local areas in June as a host or participant.
Have the opportunity to participate in an American Hiking Volunteer Vacation stewardship trip.
Participate in other AHS advocacy campaigns, programs, and activities.

AHS Provides Ambassadors:

Discounted registration for an American Hiking Volunteer Vacation trip.
Networking opportunities with leaders and other professionals in the outdoor industry.
Swag and gear from AHS and corporate sponsors.

AHS Ambassador Applicants should be:

Passionate about outdoor advocacy, hiking, and stewardship.
Excellent, dynamic communicators.
Available to engage regularly throughout the year on social media and AHS communications on efforts to protect public lands, hiking, and diversity in the outdoors.

Meet the AHS Ambassadors

Liz Thomas

Carolyn Hartfield

Hiker/Adventure Leader/Speaker

Biography

Carolyn Hartfield is an outdoor enthusiast who leads others on hiking, camping, zip lining, cycling, spelunking, tree climbing, whitewater rafting, kayaking — you name it — excursions. This Baby Boomer who is also a senior citizen says she is “Seasoned and savoring in the spices of life!”

Carolyn was 56 when she went on her first hike. She did not know the hike was going to be a challenging trek up Blood Mountain along the Appalachian Trail. She loved it. Being outside in nature was so exhilarating, she not only wanted to keep hiking but wanted to share her experience with others. “The decision to try something new was one of the best decisions I ever made. It completely changed my life!”

She was so inspired she felt she had to share this newly discovered adventure with others. To prepare herself, she became a certified outings leader through the Sierra Club, was trained in wilderness first aid through the NOLS Wilderness Medical Institute, became a Certified National Interpretive Guide, and selected as a community partner with REI and the Georgia Conservancy. She also works with the National Park Service in their Trails and Rails volunteer program.

As a result of inspiring others through her online monthly newsletter, she has expanded her influential voice to several thousand followers of her web-based Meetup adventure groups and is a leading voice for seniors, encouraging them to get outside and try new things. Carolyn also has a love for senior Olympic sports, earning medals in various state, national and world competitions.

In 2016 Carolyn represented AARP when she was recognized with a ‘Positive Aging Image Award’ from the Georgia Institute on Aging. She has been featured on the CNN/HLN Accent Health Network for her healthy hiking adventures, and in various other media. Carolyn is currently working on her new book, ‘The Joy of Aging’ expected to be released in Spring 2017.

When Carolyn speaks to groups, her message is simple: “Get in the great outdoors, try new activities and have fun while getting healthy!”

Learn more about Carolyn Hartfield at her website: www.CarolynHartfield.com

Michael Lanza

Author/Photographer

Biography

Writer and photographer Michael Lanza is the creator of The Big Outside, where he blogs about his outdoor adventures, including many with his wife and children. The Big Outside has made numerous top blog lists, including USA Today’s Readers Choice list of Top 10 Hiking and Outdoors Bloggers in 2014. A primary goal of Michael’s blog is to inspire and inform other parents to take their own kids on outdoor adventures—and help other families to discover the powerful emotional payoff and bond achieved through sharing outdoors experiences. That’s one of the reasons he is excited to be an ambassador for AHS.

Michael was the Northwest Editor of Backpacker magazine for 11 years and continues to write for the magazine. His book Before They're Gone—A Family's Year-Long Quest to Explore America's Most Endangered National Parks, winner of a National Outdoor Book Award honorable mention, chronicles his wilderness adventures with his wife and their young son and daughter in national parks threatened by climate change. An avid backpacker, climber, backcountry skier, and cyclist, he has hiked and climbed extensively in the U.S. West and Northeast and published stories in numerous magazines about adventure travels on four continents. His articles about global warming helped Backpacker earn a National Magazine Award for general excellence in 2008. He was previously a magazine editor, co-hosted a call-in radio program on New Hampshire Public Radio, and syndicated a weekly outdoor column in about two dozen New England newspapers.

Michael lives with his wife and their two teenagers in Boise, Idaho, where they frequently get out on local trails and explore Idaho’s mountains and rivers.

Connect

Bob and Martha Manning

Hikers/Authors/Speakers

Biography

Bob and Martha Manning are accomplished hikers and authors who write and speak about their outdoor adventures. They discovered the national parks shortly after they were married, honeymooning at Cape Cod National Seashore. They lived in California for several years, hiking and backpacking in Yosemite and many other western national parks. After graduate school, Bob became a professor at the University of Vermont, teaching and studying the history, philosophy, and management of national parks. His program of research for the National Park Service allowed him and Martha to visit and hike in national parks throughout the nation, including spending four year-long sabbaticals at Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the Washington, DC headquarters. Martha uses these adventures as inspiration for her work as an artist.

While living in Vermont, they hiked the state’s 272-mile Long Trail, the first long-distance trail in the US. And then they were hooked! They’ve hiked dozens of long-distance trails on six continents and have written two books about these walks. The first, Walking Distance: Extraordinary Hikes for Ordinary People, offers first-hand descriptions of 30 long-distance trails throughout the world. Their second book, Walks of a Lifetime: Extraordinary Hikes from Around the World, offers first-hand descriptions of 30 more long-distance trails and multi-day hikes, interspersed with short essays on many dimensions of hiking. Both books are designed to encourage readers to walk more in their everyday lives and to try long-distance walking.

Bob and Martha are invited speakers at many venues, including the International Trails Symposium, the Walkabout International Conference, and many hiking and conservation organizations. The Mannings have a long association with American Hiking Society. Bob served on the Board of Directors and is a life member, and they are especially pleased to be named AHS Ambassadors. The Mannings take this position seriously, encouraging people to “walk the talk” and reap the many benefits of hiking.

See where the Manning’s have hiked on their website, www.extraordinaryhikes.com.

Jennifer Pharr Davis

Author/Hiker/Speaker

Biography

Jennifer Pharr Davis is a hiker, author, adventure speaker, and 2012 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. She is the founder and owner of Blue Ridge Hiking Company, an Asheville, NC-based guiding service that strives “to make the wilderness accessible and enjoyable” for hikers of all ages, genders, and ability levels. Jennifer has covered over 14,000 miles of long distance trails on six different continents. In 2011, she completed the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail in forty-six days, eleven hours, and twenty minutes, maintaining a remarkable average of forty-seven miles per day.

As someone who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail as a twenty-one-year-old, completed the Colorado Trail as a newlywed, traversed the Spanish Pyrenees as an expectant mother, has hiked in all fifty states with her husband and two year old daughter, and who is currently section-hiking the Continental Divide Trail, Jennifer truly embodies her belief that “the trail is there for everyone at every phase of life.” She is thrilled to be an Ambassador for the American Hiking Society, and she looks forward to championing AHS initiatives as she continues her speaking and writing career.

Connect

Liz Thomas

Author/Hiker

Biography

Liz Thomas is a well-traveled adventure athlete most known for breaking the women’s unsupported speed record on the 2,181-mile long Appalachian Trail in 2011. She has completed the Triple Crown of Hiking–the Appalachian Trail, the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail, and 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail–and has backpacked over 10,000 miles across the United States on long distance hiking trails. Liz is among the most experienced woman hikers in the country and is known for hiking light and fast. In addition to having a lot of experience hiking, Liz also received a Masters in Environmental Science from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and the prestigious Doris Duke Conservation Fellowship for her research on long distance hiking trails, conservation, and trail town communities. Liz has been featured in Backpacker Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and LA Magazine and has given talks about her experiences at colleges, hiking clubs, and conferences across the country.