Our Team - American Hiking Society

American Hiking Society Team

Jasper Van Der Meij

American Hiking Society
Board of Directors

Libby Wile

Executive Committee

Bradley Ellis

Chair

Biography

Organization: Icard Merrill
Title: Attorney
City: Sarasota, FL

Bradley Ellis is a Florida native that grew up in Jupiter, Florida and currently practices land use and development law in Sarasota, Florida. Bradley completed his undergraduate studies at Florida State University and his legal studies at the University of Florida.

Bradley is an Eagle Scout and remains active in the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of Arrow. It is Bradley’s involvement with the Order of the Arrow that started Bradley on his path towards his involvement with the American Hiking Society. With the Order of the Arrow, Bradley has served as a key staffer on repairing and/or creating trails around the country. In 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011, Bradley repaired historic portage trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota.

In 2008, his team created the “Arrow Trail” mountain-biking/hiking trail in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. In 2011, his team created the initial portion of the “Arrow Head Trail” in the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. Bradley has also built trails in Michigan, Indiana, and of course Florida. Bradley is a key staffer for the Order of the Arrow’s “Arrowman Conservation School” and he hopes to create high synergy between his work with the Order of the Arrow and the America Hiking Society.

Favorite Hikes

Sarah Baker Morgan

Vice Chair

Biography

Organization: American Red Cross
Title: Chief Fundraising Strategist
City: Silver Spring, MD

Sarah’s love of hiking and the outdoors developed at an early age while exploring the Adirondack Mountains, a place she returns as often as possible. Her family’s tradition of “vestigating”, a shared pleasure of meandering new places, hiking new paths, swimming new water holes, and searching for vistas and sunsets is a focal point whenever they carve time together. Time spent in the Adirondacks, Pacific Northwest, Southern California, San Juan Islands, White Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley has fueled Sarah’s wish to spend time on trails and enjoy the peace of wooded areas. Sarah also has a passion for photography and is particularly inspired by blending natural and architectural elements. Sarah joined the Board of Directors of the American Hiking Society in 2016.

Sarah has over 30 years fundraising experience in the university and non-profit arena. She currently serves as chief fundraising strategist for the engagement of the president & CEO of the National American Red Cross. Previously, she held several leadership positions at The George Washington University, where she directed school-based fundraising and alumni programs including: annual, reunion, planned giving, endowment and capital campaigns; management of advisory and alumni relations boards; and developing and implementing special campaigns for targeted constituencies. Earlier in her career, Sarah held fundraising positions at the University of Southern California, Wellesley College, and Clark University.

Sarah has served as a member of the Gould Academy Board of Trustees; Reunion Giving Chair and Member of the National Committee on Clark’s Future for Clark University; Fundraising Chair for the Highland View Elementary School PTA; Executive VP of the Silver Spring International Middle School PTSA; and Co-Leader for Girl Scout Troop 4274.

Sarah holds a BA in Art History from Clark University. She lives with her high school-aged daughter in Silver Spring, MD.

Favorite Hikes

Kevin Thomson

Treasurer

Biography

Title: Certified Public Accountant
City: Ligonier, PA

Kevin lives and works in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of western Pennsylvania and enjoys the many hiking, camping, backpacking, and kayaking opportunities available in the area.

Kevin volunteers with his local outdoors group, Venture Outdoors as a trip leader and as a member of VO’s Trip Leader Council.

He has participated in AHS Volunteer Vacations in various parts of the United States and volunteers locally with the Ridge Runners, a trail maintenance group that works in conjunction with the Pennsylvania DCNR, helping to maintain the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.

Favorite Hikes

Jeff Senterman

Secretary

Biography

Organization: Catskill Center for Conservation and Development
Title: Executive Director
City: Tannersville, NY

Jeff is currently Executive Director of the Catskill Center, an organization that works to preserve and protect New York’s Catskill region. Prior to joining the Catskill Center, Jeff worked as the regional trails program manager for the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Jeff was an environmental planner for the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission; Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission; and for Waterman Design Associates.

He is an avid hiker and outdoorsman who has hiked extensively in the Catskills, Adirondacks, and New England. Jeff is a long-time volunteer with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. He began volunteering with the Trail Conference with his father at age 11 and continued in many capacities throughout the Hudson Valley and Catskills. He holds a BS from Lyndon State College in Vermont, with a concentration in environmental science.

Favorite Hikes

Saveria Tilden

At-Large

Biography

Saveria has held management and executive level positions in the film industry and for marketing and creative agencies. Her role as a leader and collaborator developed while working in these roles and with clients including Warner Bros, HBO, Universal, New Line Cinema, The North Face, GEICO, Odwalla, CLIF, Pioneer Electronics, Olloclip, and various state park agencies. This work served as a launchpad for Saveria to start her own consulting business where she specializes in partnership development and strategy collaborating with companies and organizations committed to connecting people to the outdoors, including REI, Transforming Youth Outdoors (TYO), IslandWood, Nature Play Western Australia, The American Hiking Society, and Misadventures Magazine.

In addition to her management background and consulting work, Saveria has taught in various capacities for over 20 years, both in the classroom and in the field. Her work with REI’s Outdoor School as an instructor in climbing, navigation, SUP, cycling, hiking, and backpacking, gave Saveria the opportunity to combine her love of teaching and the outdoors. Saveria also channels these passions into giving back to her community for the American Hiking Society, as a Sierra Club trip leader and instructor for the Wilderness Travel Course, and for Camber Outdoors as their regional event manager.

Saveria lives in Pasadena, CA with her husband and two fur babies.

Favorite Hikes

Sally Kidd

At-Large

Biography

Organization: Hearst Television

Title: National Correspondent

City: Washington, DC

Sally fell in love with hiking as a child during an epic cross-country camping trip with her grandparents. The adventure took her across more than a dozen states and taught her the importance of protecting hiking trails and sharing the outdoor experience. She later expanded her outdoor adventures to include ultrarunning, long-distance open water swimming, kayaking, and triathlons.

In 2011 Sally climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, helping to raise more than $20,000 for orphans affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. It was during this trek that she learned from a fellow climber about American Hiking Society's mission. She joined the board in 2017.

When she's not hitting the trails, Sally works as a national news correspondent for Hearst Television in Washington, DC, reporting on politics, the White House, Congress, and other national newsmakers. Her reports are seen on 30 television stations nationwide. Before moving to Washington, Sally worked as a TV news reporter in multiple cities across Florida.

Sally holds a master's degree in Public Relations/Corporate Communications from Georgetown University and a BA in Broadcast Journalism from Louisiana State University.

Favorite Hikes

Jack Hess

Immediate Past Chair

Biography

Organization: Geological Society of America Foundation
Title: President
City: Boulder, CO

Jack joined the board in 2015 and has enjoyment in hiking and backpacking since his time as a Boy Scout and Explorer Scout as a youth in State College, PA. He still serves the Boy Scouts at both the local council and the national levels. He has hiked a good bit of the Appalachian Trail, been on many backpacking trips in the Colorado wilderness and hiked many of the mountain ranges in Nevada. This year (2015) he and his wife have taken the challenge to hike 100 miles in Rocky Mountain National Park in celebration of the park’s 100th anniversary.

Recently, after 13 years of service, Jack stepped down as the Executive Director of the Geological Society of America. Before coming to GSA in 2001 Jack work for the Desert Research Institute in Nevada and then spent 18 months working for Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) working on nuclear waste and water issues. He has served on a number of boards including the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, Karst Waters Institute (Chair), Association of Earth Science Editors, Longs Peak Council Boy Scouts of America (President elect), Renewable Natural Resources Foundation, and Colorado Society of Association Executives. Additionally, Jack serves on the US National Commission for UNESCO and the US National Committee for Geological Sciences.

Favorite Hikes

Directors

Maria Betancourt

Board Member

Biography

Dennis Crowley

Board Member

Biography

Organization: Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition
Title: Past President / Board Member

Organization: Sheltowee Trace Association
Title: Chairman Emeritus of Advisory Board / Past Board Chairman

Organization: Kentucky Recreational Trails Authority
Title: Hiking & Backpacking Representative

City: Louisville, Kentucky

For many years, Dennis has volunteered to build, maintain and promote foot trails at the local, state and regional levels. Through these experiences, he has been engaged in AHS programs such as National Trails Day, Volunteer Vacations and Alternative Spring Breaks.

In his own community, he has worked on trails, led hikes in local parks, and promoted hiking at local events. He met his wife, Julie, hiking with the KISHAW hiking club on a group hike in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge.

At the state level, in Kentucky, he has served on boards of Sheltowee Trace Association and Pine Mountain Trail Conference. For several years, he has worked with Kentucky Tourism Cabinet’s Adventure Tourism as the representative for hiking and backpacking on the Kentucky Recreational Trails Authority.

On the regional level, Dennis has worked on trail relocations on Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Konnarock and Mid-Atlantic trail crews. He participated in Cumberland Trail Conference trail building crews in Tennessee for several years.

He was involved in planning what was to become the Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition (SEFTC), a joint project of American Hiking Society and National Parks Service RTCA. From this coalition, the Great Eastern Trail Association (GETA)was formed. Dennis has served on the GETA board for several years. He was also the first president of SEFTC.

Dennis is retired from Michelin where he worked as a chemical engineer. He joined the board of American Hiking Society in April 2016.

Favorite Hikes

Matt Griffis

Board Member

Biography

Organization: The Wyss Foundation Title: Acquisitions Program Manager City: Durango, Colorado

Matt has worked in land conservation, a lifelong passion of his, for more than a decade. He currently manages the land acquisitions program at the Wyss Foundation, where he has helped conserve more than 2 million acres of land on 4 continents. Matt holds a B.S. in Environmental Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of Michigan.

A California native, Matt grew up hiking in the Sierra Nevada and through the redwood forests of the Coast Ranges. He is an Eagle Scout and has been an active member of the Boy Scouts of America for the past 30 years. After serving as the Western Region Chief of the Order of the Arrow, Matt became involved in trail building and stewardship at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where he spent 3 summers as a trail crew foreman and trail crew coordinator. He remains involved in the Order of the Arrow's conservation and sustainability efforts.

Matt lives in Durango, Colorado, where in addition to hiking, he enjoys backpacking, packrafting, trail running, cycling, and skiing. He's on a mission to visit every National Park Service unit and the highest point in every state.

Favorite Hikes

Michelle Jackson-Saulters

Board Member

Biography

Michelle Jackson-Saulters serves as the Co-founder/Chief Operations Officer of the Outdoor Journal Tour. Since the inception of The Outdoor Journal Tour in 2015, Michelle has traveled all over the country, alongside co-founder and wife Kenya empowering women through mindfulness and the great outdoors. Together, she and Kenya have reached over 3,000 women. Professionally, Michelle is a bilingual Sales & Service Manager for the largest airline catering company in the world. With over a decade of industry experience, she has excelled as the youngest member on her team working with some of the largest and most profitable airlines in the world. Michelle is a self-proclaimed feminist and nerd that wishes to share her light with the world. When she is not traveling, you will find her working on a home improvement project, planning her next adventure, or hanging out with Kenya and friends both on and off the trails.

Michelle is an Army brat that grew up in Wiesbaden, Germany, where her family still lives. She has a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Georgia Southern University and also studied Culinary Arts at Clayton State University. She currently resides in Atlanta with her wife.

Favorite Hikes

Marinel de Jesus

Board Member

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Fred Leffler

Board Member

Biography

Organization: The Rock Creek Group
Title: VP, Data and Analytics
City: Washington, DC

In his professional life, Fred heads up the data and analytics team at RockCreek, an investment firm in Washington, D.C. He has previously been a management consultant at McKinsey & Co., finance manager at a hedge fund backed wind energy company, and at GE Energy in the Financial Management Program (FMP). Fred holds degrees from Duke University and The Ohio State University.

When not at work, Fred is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, camping, and mountain biking. He was a long-time volunteer at YES! (Youth Enrichment Services), a non-profit in Boston, where he taught urban children with limited outdoors experience and access to hike, ski, and mountain bike. He joined the board of AHS in 2020 and is part of the finance and marketing committees.

Fred lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Amy, and son (who is currently finding his hiking legs).

Favorite Hikes

Bruce Matthews

Board Member

Biography

In August 2017 Bruce Matthews retired after ten years as Executive Director of the North Country Trail Association, the volunteer organization that builds, maintains and tells the story of America’s longest National Scenic Trail.

Previously Matthews was the founding president of the non-profit Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), best known for its national Take Me Fishing advertising campaign, National Fishing and Boating Week and Angler’s Legacy mentoring program. Matthews started RBFF in 1999, after a stint as Information and Education Chief for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Matthews has served on the faculty at Cornell University and S.U.N.Y Cortland, where he directed the Adirondack Winter Studies program and started the New York 4-H Sportfishing Program. He has been a licensed New York State Guide and US Coast Guard licensed captain. As a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Matthews’ articles have won awards and appeared in many outdoor magazines.

Matthews released his first CD, “So Far…” in 2014, with a followup CD, “Roll Your Windows Down!” in January 2018. Composed of original songs in the Americana roots tradition, his songs celebrate the outdoors, redemption and his relationship with the Creator. Matthews has served on the worship leadership teams at Ada Bible Church since 2008 and leads men’s small groups.

Bruce Matthews lives in Lowell, MI along the Flat River and the North Country Trail, and is married to Linda. They have six grandchildren, and a Brittany bird dog puppy, Carson, who has high hopes of training Bruce to finally bring home a few gamebirds…

Favorite Hikes

Interested in Joining American Hiking Society's Board of Directors?

If you are passionate about hiking and interested in serving on our board of directors, please download the nomination form. Submittal directions are included in the form.

Download Nomination Form

What it Means to be on the AHS Board

American Hiking Society Staff

Wesley Trimble

Kathryn (Kate) Van Waes

Executive Director

Biography

Kate joined American Hiking in 2017. She brings a wealth of advocacy experience from the ONE Campaign, where she was a Policy Director, setting policy and strategic direction for ONE in the areas of agricultural development, hunger and nutrition, climate change, energy poverty, women and girls, trade, and development in fragile states. Prior to ONE, Kate served as Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor in Secretary Clinton’s Office of Global Food Security, helping to lead the Obama Administration’s flagship global hunger initiative, Feed the Future. Kate joined the State Department initially under a fellowship with the American Association for the Advancement of Science and focused on the intersection of emergency humanitarian aid and terrorism and hunger-related United Nations negotiations. She started her career as a planetary and glacial geologist, participating in several NASA Mars missions and working with the International Space Science Institute in Bern, Switzerland, the University of Copenhagen’s Neils Bohr Institute, and the Smithsonian Center for Earth and Planetary Studies. She earned her Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from Brown University in 2004. Kate hails from Montana, where she developed a deep passion for spending as much time outdoors as possible. She and her equally outdoorsy husband and daughter live in Silver Spring, MD.

Favorite Hikes

Contact

Libby Wile

Senior Director of Programs

Biography

Libby joined American Hiking in 2009. She holds a B.A. degree in Marketing from James Madison University. Prior to joining AHS, she worked for 6 years with a consulting firm as a recruiter and marketing specialist. A Navy upbringing has instilled a love of travel in her and she enjoys discovering new cities and landscapes and the cultures that they represent. Participating in her first “Volunteer Vacation” in college 15 years ago sparked a passion for traveling with a purpose. Since then she has participated in dozens of stewardship trips across the US. Libby is an experienced and seasoned outdoor recreation group leader, leading volunteer crews with American Hiking since 2010 and providing city running tours to visitors and locals alike. Moving to Asheville for the mountains (and great beer!) she takes advantage of any opportunity to hike, run, and explore Western North Carolina. Libby is ecstatic to be putting her passion for nature and outdoor recreation to good use in her role at American Hiking.

Favorite Hikes

Contact

Heather Klein Olson

Senior Director of Development

Biography

Heather joined American Hiking in 2020. She has 20 years of experience leading philanthropic programs for higher education, foundations, social services, arts, and faith-based organizations. Heather most recently served as Vice President for Advancement at We Raise Foundation, a national foundation with both fundraising and grant making programs. Heather has raised over $25 million for organizations by building meaningful relationships with corporate partners and individual philanthropists.

Heather is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), a graduate of Butler University, Indianapolis, Ind., and holds advanced degrees in communication and business from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., and Valparaiso University. She has been a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) since 2006, and is a regular contributing writer to Advancing Philanthropy, AFP’s flagship membership magazine. Heather also has extensive volunteer leadership experience with Rotary International, having been honored with “Rotarian of the Year” and serving as president of the club in the Midwest community where she resides with her husband and their two sons.

Heather grew up hiking the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and urban trails in the city of Chicago. She is a certified SCUBA diver and rock climber, an avid trail runner, an 80’s movie buff, a thoroughbred enthusiast, an appreciator of a good pun, and a writer of children’s stories.

Favorite Hikes

Contact

Tyler Ray

Director of Policy and Advocacy

Biography

Tyler joined American Hiking in 2018, after nearly seven years with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) where he led federal advocacy efforts on voting rights, disability rights, and humane border enforcement. He earned his Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Public Policy from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and is licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He obtained a B.A. degree in Social Science from San Diego State University.

As a native Californian, Tyler began hiking in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s and the Stanislaus National Forest. He’s been fortunate to experience trails across the country, with favorites including the Hanakapiai Trail in Kauai, the Grand Canyon’s Bright Angel Trail, and state park and national forest trails throughout his adoptive home in Virginia.

When not hiking the hill advocating on behalf of AHS members, Tyler spends time with his husband and their dog, Kona, looking for their next outdoor adventure.

Favorite Hikes

Contact

Josh Bruegger

Finance and Office Manager

Biography

Josh joined American Hiking Society in 2019. He holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a specialization in Accounting, from the University of Nebraska and an MBA from Southeast Missouri State University. He comes to AHS with fifteen years of experience in corporate tax and accounting roles.

Josh is a "numbers guy" and enjoys helping others make sense of their numbers. He volunteers with a nonprofit that provides character development, job readiness, and entrepreneurship tools to incarcerated individuals and those with criminal histories in the community. He has facilitated financial literacy classes to help incarcerated individuals learn the meaning behind the numbers of a business. For those in the community with criminal histories, Josh provides coaching and mentoring to help them reach their financial and business goals.

When not working or volunteering, you can be sure to find Josh traveling with his family, participating in outdoor adventures (hiking, camping, caving, canyoning, etc.), or spending time with his furry four-legged crew.

Favorite Hikes

Contact

Wesley Trimble

Program Outreach & Communications Manager

Biography

Outside Magazine called Wesley "the most inspiring man on the PCT" after he completed the trail despite his mild form of cerebral palsy. Beyond the PCT, Wesley has thru-hiked the Colorado Trail, climbed all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, and finished several ultramarathon trail races–traversing well over 10,000 miles of trail.

Not all of Wesley's time on the trail is spent recreating. He believes it's his duty as an outdoor enthusiast to give back and steward the places he loves. While earning a Bachelors in Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, Wesley spent four seasons building and maintaining trails with Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. Wesley's favorite projects include building and maintaining the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado and Wyoming.

Through design, marketing, and communications Wesley enjoys educating people about the importance of outdoor stewardship.

Favorite Hikes

Contact

Allie Killam

Development and Marketing Coordinator

Biography

Allie joined AHS in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Arts and Design from James Madison University along with a minor in Political Science. She grew up in Northern Virginia hiking around Great Falls, fostering a love of the outdoors and native wildlife. After graduating, Allie hiked 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail through Shenandoah National Park.

Before joining AHS, she was an animal keeper, educating visitors on the importance of conservation and respecting wildlife. Allie spends most of her free time exploring new trails in the DC area and traveling to national parks across the country.

Favorite Hikes

Contact

Jobs & Internships

Mick Haupt

American Hiking Society is the only national organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, the natural areas that surround them, and the hiking experience. We provide an exciting, creative, and professional yet relaxed non-profit atmosphere with a strong outdoor and conservation ethic. American Hiking Society is easily accessible by Metro (Red Line, Silver Spring) and offers generous benefits including full health coverage, discounts on outdoor gear, and generous vacation leave (for full-time employees).

Interested in joining our dynamic team? Any jobs or internships that may be available are described below.

AHS Career Opportunities

There are no job opportunities at this time.

AHS Internship Opportunities

There are no job opportunities at this time.

Alliance of Hiking Organizations Job Opportunities

There are no job opportunities at this time.

Interested in Joining American Hiking Society's Board of Directors?

If you are passionate about hiking and interested in serving on our board of directors, please download the nomination form. Submittal directions are included in the form.

Download Nomination Form

What it Means to be on the AHS Board

American Hiking Society Team

Jasper Van Der Meij

Board of Directors

Staff

iStock

AHS Ambassadors

Jobs & Internships

American Hiking Society Board of Directors

Libby Wile

Executive Committee

Bradley Ellis

Chair

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Sarah Baker Morgan

Vice Chair

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Kevin Thomson

Treasurer

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Jeff Senterman

Secretary

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Saveria Tilden

At-Large

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Sally Kidd

At-Large

Biography

Jack Hess

Immediate Past Chair

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Directors

Maria Betancourt

Board Member

Biography

Dennis Crowley

Board Member

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Matt Griffis

Board Member

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Michelle Jackson-Saulters

Board Member

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Marinel de Jesus

Board Member

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Fred Leffler

Board Member

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Bruce Matthews

Board Member

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Interested in Joining American Hiking Society's Board of Directors?

American Hiking Society Staff

Wesley Trimble

Kathryn (Kate) Van Waes

Executive Director

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Contact

Libby Wile

Senior Director of Programs

Biography

Favorite Hikes

Heather Klein Olson

Senior Director of Development

Biography

American Hiking Society
Board of Directors