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.

2025 NextGen Application

Apply Now

Meet the NextGen Leaders

2024 NextGen Leaders

Ron Griswell

NextGen Stories

My Journey in the Outdoor Industry (So Far)

In order to explain and emphasize the importance of what being a NextGen Trail Leader means to me, I must first take you on a journey of how I started…

2018 National Trails Day® Report

2018 Report Together We Improved 3,954 Miles of Trail June 2, 2018 For 25 years, National Trails Day® has united the trails community on the first Saturday of June with…

Hiking the Hill and Remembering Lincoln

The most vivid memory I have of Hike The Hill® is standing next to Abraham Lincoln’s embodiment in the Lincoln Memorial at sunset and reading part of the Gettysburg Address –…

Congress Passes Trail Inclusive Spending Bill

It looks like our targeted advocacy worked! On March 22, Congress passed legislation to fund the government through October 2018. While we’re still going through the 2,232 page bill for…

Record Number of Participants Hike the Hill® to Advocate for Trails and Public Lands

The largest ever Hike the Hill® brought 123 hikers and trail organization representatives to Washington, D.C. to advocate before congress and the federal government for trail programs and public lands.…

Introducing American Hiking Society’s NextGen Trail Leaders

The inaugural class of AHS NextGen Trail Leaders brings together rising stars in the outdoor community from all walks of life and across the country. Through AHS, NextGen Trail Leaders…

Meet the 2024 NextGen Trail Leaders

Kaci Stringer

Meital Kupfer

(they/them/theirs)

@m3ital

Biography

Meital Kupfer (they/them) is an avid hiker and climber. They spent the last seven years living and working in Uganda, and returned to the United States in 2023 to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. They now live and work in Washington, DC. In Uganda, they were an active member of Mountain Slayers Uganda and Mountain Club of Uganda, charting new trails and leading hikes in lesser explored areas of Uganda while also engaging with concepts of accessibility and safety in the outdoors. While their career focuses on international development, Meital wants to continue the pursuit of equity in the outdoors by building skills and forging connections between and within communities. When not examining spreadsheets or conducting research, they can be found camera in hand, or curating their next favorite playlist.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

Since I have returned to the US after over seven years away, I want to use this experience to become a better advocate for public land and equal recreation in the United States. I think that with increased support and mentorship I could connect communities with access to public lands to increase accessibility, usability and safety of these areas for all.

Blanca Iris Moreno Jara

(she/her/hers)

@blanka_tijeras

Biography

Blanca is the creator of the Facebook Group page “Hiking en Utah.” She created this page in May of 2019. It was her need for a hiking community that motivated her to create this group.

Blanca arrived in Utah at the end of 2003. The first thing she noticed were the enormous mountains of Salt Lake City. Right then and there, she knew that one day she would hike every one of them. Her dream has become a reality. Not only has she hiked to almost every peak in the Wasatch Front over the years, but she has explored almost every canyon and National Park in the beautiful state of Utah. She also now has a whole community behind her, the largest Hispanic/Latino community of hikers in the state of Utah. Her page has allowed her to attract like-minded people who, like her, are eager to hike and explore the trails surrounding the Salt Lake City area and beyond. Her enthusiasm for hiking and exploring is contagious and more and more people want to join.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

The fact of being involved with people who love the mountains like me, and to share the love for hiking. I'm super excited to be part of this community!

Jonathon Flores

(he/him/his)

@juanflowers

Biography

Jonathon is an American born and of Indigenous Mexican descent of the Chichimeca Jonaz (Zacateco). Born and Raised in North East Los Angeles, CA., Jonathan comes from a working class family, who never had time to do many of the outdoorsy things that other families embarked on.

It wasn't until he was an adult and had a family of his own that the narrative of exploring the outdoors became something therapeutic for him physically, mentally and spiritually. Since starting this journey, Jonathon founded Outdoor Adventures+, a BIPoC outdoor group focused on educating and curating experiences for the community, connecting people to nature with every adventure.

Whether it's hosting hikes and backpacking trips or a trail run here and there, to cleaning up the trails we trek or having discussions online with leaders of the BIPoC about how to better diversity the outdoors to discussions on mental health. This venture has allowed Jonathon to experience many different outlets in the outdoors — from hiking some of the highest peaks, to backpacking in the beautiful California backcountry, from the Lost Coast in Northern California to Mt. Whitney in the Eastern Sierra's. Even trail running on some of the most prestigious trails and views in the Santa Monica Mountains, to camping amongst the giants in Redwood National & State Parks. Nature has helped Jonathon prioritize his mental health; it's been his therapist over the past eight years. Jonathon notes that the possibilities are endless, and this journey of his is just getting started.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

The fact that it allows us to use our voices for the things that matter — educating people on the present and the future, that the outdoors are for everyone — it's important to continue forward with that mindset to continue to working towards that common goal.

Natalie Matias

(she/her/hers)

@naty1777

Biography

Natalie Matias is a queer, first generation Latina, born and raised in Miami, Florida to a Honduran mother and Puerto Rican father. Growing up, she spent much of her time riding ATV’s, camping, fishing, canoeing, and exploring places like the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park.

After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Anthropology from Florida State University in 2019, she began working for the National Park Service’s Southeast Archeological Center as an Archeological Technician, where she conducted archeological investigations, participated in various outreach events, and facilitated education programs across Northern Florida. In 2022, she began working as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service and recently moved to the Bay Area with her partner to establish roots.

Natalie hopes to continue to connect people to the natural and cultural resources that most interest them as she transitions into the non-profit conservation field in the Bay Area.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I am excited to have a platform that I can use to encourage others to get outside and recreate responsibly!

Brianna Cunningham

(she/her/hers)

@BriannaOutdoors

Biography

Brianna is a proud IE (Inland Empire) native who thrives in outdoor activities, particularly hiking, camping, kayaking, and paddle boarding. At an early age, Brianna was exposed to the outdoors by her dad, but didn’t truly call herself an outdoor enthusiast until her first solo hike. Now as a devoted dog mom and aid hiker, she blends her passion for the outdoors with her role as a STEM center coordinator at a local city college.

Brianna is committed to fostering inclusivity and equity in the hiking community, especially for Queer BIPOC individuals, believing in the transformative power of nature. Through personal experiences and advocacy, she promotes outdoor exploration as a means of healing and positive change.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I am thrilled to have the chance to organize an event/hike for my community on National Trails Day and to have the opportunity to meet with members of congress to address issues concerning public lands and trails.

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.