Leader Spotlight

Leader Spotlight is a monthly blog to showcase our incredible volunteer leadership at The Mountaineers. It is a platform for our leaders to share tips and tricks, favorite memories, and inspiration for new and rising leaders.
Mountaineer of the Week: Chuck Welter

Mountaineer of the Week: Chuck Welter

Meet Chuck, Meany Lodge Chair since 1999, who enjoys quality chocolate and is amazed by the range and depth of experiences guests bring to the lodge.

Mountaineers of the Week: Jennifer Fortin, John Sisco, and Kathy Fox

Mountaineers of the Week: Jennifer Fortin, John Sisco, and Kathy Fox

Meet Jennifer, John, and Kathy, three retiring members of the Olympia Branch Stewardship and Conservation Advisory Team (SCAT).

Mountaineer of the Week: Shuko Hashimoto

Mountaineer of the Week: Shuko Hashimoto

Meet Shuko, who enjoys post-trip onion rings and believes in the importance of leaders listening to participants with empathy and care.

Mountaineer of the Week: Daisy Fish

Mountaineer of the Week: Daisy Fish

Meet Daisy, an Intensive Basic Alpine Climbing instructor who enjoys post-trip burritos and believes that teaching others skills helps you learn in a new way.

Mountaineer of the Week: Gregg Gagliardi

Mountaineer of the Week: Gregg Gagliardi

Meet Gregg, a 39-year volunteer who enjoys teaching technical skills and encouraging aspiring volunteers to jump in with both feet.

Mountaineer of the Week: Brian Stone

Mountaineer of the Week: Brian Stone

Meet Brian, a sea kayaking instructor whose favorite close-to-home adventure is Henderson Bay when the south wind is firing.

Mountaineer of the Week: Kimber Cross

Mountaineer of the Week: Kimber Cross

Meet Kimber Cross, a Basic and Intermediate Alpine Climbing Course instructor who is passionate about building a community of joy and inclusion while teaching members to climb safely and effectively.

Mountaineer of the Week: Otto Greule

Mountaineer of the Week: Otto Greule

Meet Otto, the Seattle Branch Navigation Committee Chair whose favorite Mountaineers memories involve witnessing the "light bulb" go on for his navigation students.

Mountaineer of the Week: Logan DeGrand

Mountaineer of the Week: Logan DeGrand

Meet Logan, a canyoning and packrafting volunteer who lives for the magical moments when students face their fears, trust their skills, and safely enjoy a new place.

Mountaineer of the Week: Julie Dasso

Mountaineer of the Week: Julie Dasso

Meet Julie Dasso, current Olympia Climbing Committee Chair and Hike Leader whose favorite Mountaineers memories include end-of-course celebrations when students share their stories of fun and accomplishment.

Mountaineer of the Week: Chris Swarthout

Mountaineer of the Week: Chris Swarthout

Meet Chris, a five-year volunteer who encourages members to jump on volunteering opportunities without worrying about their level of expertise and lean into the caring support of The Mountaineers community.

Mountaineer of the Week: Emma Agosta

Mountaineer of the Week: Emma Agosta

Meet Emma, a seven-year volunteer whose favorite close-to-home adventure is riding her mountain bike at St. Edward State Park.

Mountaineer of the Week: Jeni Brink

Mountaineer of the Week: Jeni Brink

Meet Jeni, a 15-year volunteer whose soul is fed by witnessing others experience the freedom of the mountains.

Mountaineer of the Week: Andy Zavada and Sheila Reynolds

Mountaineer of the Week: Andy Zavada and Sheila Reynolds

Meet Andy and Sheila, hike leaders and Conditioning Hiking Series administrators who believe that hiking in the backcountry "brings out our best and truest selves."

Mountaineer of the Week: Peter Clitherow

Mountaineer of the Week: Peter Clitherow

Meet Peter, a 30-year volunteer whose favorite close-to-home adventure is trail running the endless loops at Tiger Mountain.

Mountaineer of the Week: Stacey Lissit

Mountaineer of the Week: Stacey Lissit

Meet Stacey, a 12-year volunteer who always has a good pre-hike ice breaker in her back pocket.

Mountaineer of the Week: Duncan Cox

Mountaineer of the Week: Duncan Cox

Meet Duncan, a 31-year volunteer and sea kayaking aficionado who loves going anywhere as long as it's with his fellow paddlers.

Mountaineer of the Week: Kiana Ehsani

Mountaineer of the Week: Kiana Ehsani

Meet Kiana, a volunteer with our basic and intermediate climbing programs whose favorite post-trip meal of choice is lots and lots of pizza.

Mountaineer of the Week: Khrum Kashan

Mountaineer of the Week: Khrum Kashan

Meet Khrum, a 6-year volunteer whose favorite Mountaineers memory is climbing the west ridge of Mt. Stuart.

Mountaineer of the Week: Emily Smith

Mountaineer of the Week: Emily Smith

Meet Emily, a 4-year volunteer who didn't let rain and broken snowshoe straps keep her from falling in love with the mountains.

Mountaineer of the Week: Louise Suhr

Mountaineer of the Week: Louise Suhr

Meet Louise, a Mountaineers member who began volunteering back in 1999 and has been addicted to spending time with The Mountaineers community ever since!

Mountaineer of the Week: Karina Vanderbilt

Mountaineer of the Week: Karina Vanderbilt

Meet Karina, a 5-year Mountaineers volunteer and climb leader who cares deeply about creating inclusive and accessible experiences within the outdoor community.

Mountaineer of the Week: Hannah Karbarz

Mountaineer of the Week: Hannah Karbarz

Meet Hannah, a five-year Mountaineer who is passionate about providing equitable and non-hierarchical learning experiences for our members.

Mountaineer of the Week: Josh Taylor

Mountaineer of the Week: Josh Taylor

Meet Josh Taylor, a volunteer leader with the Everett Branch and member of the Equity & Inclusion Working Group. Josh has benefited from the experience from The Mountaineers community and is proud to pay it forward.   

Foothills Volunteer Spotlight: Susan Conbere

Foothills Volunteer Spotlight: Susan Conbere

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Foothills Branch. This month we celebrate Susan Conbere, a backpacking, hike, and snowshoe leader.

Leader Spotlight: Meredith Mosman

Leader Spotlight: Meredith Mosman

Leader Spotlight is a monthly blog to showcase our incredible volunteer leadership at The Mountaineers. Meet this month's featured leader: Meredith Mosman. She is a lifelong learner who aims to lead with kindness, compassion, and humor.

Leader Spotlight: Alyssa Opland

Leader Spotlight: Alyssa Opland

Leader Spotlight is a monthly blog to showcase our incredible volunteer leadership at The Mountaineers. Meet this month's featured leader: Alyssa Opland. She leads climbing programs with the Tacoma Branch and focuses on inclusive leadership.

Leader Spotlight: SuJ'n Chon

Leader Spotlight: SuJ'n Chon

Leader Spotlight is a monthly blog to showcase our incredible volunteer leadership at The Mountaineers. Meet this month's featured leader: SuJ'n Chon, a Seattle branch leader who has volunteered with The Mountaineers for the past 11 years.

Leader Spotlight: Peter Tran

Leader Spotlight: Peter Tran

Leader Spotlight is a monthly blog to showcase our incredible volunteer leadership at The Mountaineers. Meet this month's featured leader: Peter Tran. Peter is our 2021 Mountaineers Service Award recipient and current chair of the Foothills Climbing Committee.

Leader Spotlight: Brynne Koscianski

Leader Spotlight: Brynne Koscianski

Leader Spotlight is a monthly blog to showcase our incredible volunteer leadership at The Mountaineers. Meet this month's featured leader: Brynne Koscianski. She is a Mountaineers Board Director and prospective Mini Mountaineers volunteer!