Our Team
Thorne’s programs are guided by a passionate team of nonprofit professionals and environmental educators. Each summer, more than 30 seasonal instructors join us to share their love of nature and make camp an unforgettable experience.
Andy Maeding (he/him)
Facility and Stewardship Coordinator
303.499.3647
andy@thornenature.org
Andy brings over two decades of experience fostering nature connection with youth through wilderness expeditions, sea kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, backcountry skiing, fly fishing, and international travel.
Carrie Riesberg (she/her)
Marketing Manager
303.499.3647 x 110
carrie@thornenature.org
Carrie finds joy in nature through shared adventures with her family and friends—paddling, hiking, and frolicking in beautiful wild places.
Chris Shinn (he/him)
Preschool Educator
303.499.3647
chris@thornenature.org
Chris grew up in Texas catching horny toads, wrestling with snakes, and dodging scorpion stings, and now brings that same sense of wonder and adventure to teaching preschool outdoors at Thorne.
Christian Fowler (he/him)
Teaching and Learning Specialist
303.499.3647
christianf@thornenature.org
Christian has a passion for environmental education and aims to help others connect with the Land, their communities, and themselves in meaningful.
Christian Vargas (he/him)
Director of Community Engagement
303.499.3647 x 111
christian@thornenature.org
Christian has always had a connection to the outdoors and enjoys camping, mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and paddleboarding with his two sons (Thorne and NKJN alums), wife, and their dogs.
Chuy Gallegos (él/he)
Community Liaison NKJN / Enlace Comunitario NKJN
720.601.4964
chuy@thornenature.org
Chuy Gallegos grew up exploring the deserts of Mexico, and now shares his love of the outdoors with his family and young adventurers at Thorne.
Danielle Henshaw (she/her)
Director of People, Culture, and Learning
303.499.3647 x 114
danielle@thornenature.org
Being outdoors and connecting with nature has been a lifelong passion for Danielle, and now she enjoys hiking, camping, boating, and backpacking with her family.
Erica Carpenter (she/her)
Preschool Educator
303.499.3647
erica@thornenature.org
Erica has a deep passion for finding the magic in nature and instilling the importance of caring for our Mother Earth within our future land stewards.
Erin Saunders (she/her)
Director of Vision
303.499.3647
erin@thornenature.org
Gabriela Monge-Escalante (ella/suya/she)
Community Engagement Coordinator
720.910.1895
gabriela@thornenature.org
Gabriela enjoys outdoor activities with her two children (Thorne and NKJN alums) and oil painting.
Hailee Settlemoir (she/her)
Development & Digital Communications Manager
303.499.3647 x 121
hailee@thornenature.org
Hailee grew up in a little town south of Saint Louis, Missouri, where she fell in love with Earth stewardship.
Hannah Fowler (she/they)
Preschool Educator
303.499.3647
hannah@thornenature.org
Hannah’s work as an environmental educator at a camp in Alabama developed her love for snakes and herptiles and also helped her discover nature education as a tool for bringing justice to communities in need.
Hattie Gilburt (she/her)
Preschool Educator
303.499.3647
hattie@thornenature.org
Hattie’s love for the outdoors and her passion for teaching young children go hand in hand at Thorne Nature Preschool.
Jill Fricker (she/her)
Interim Executive Director
303.499.3647
jill@thornenature.org
Jill believes in the boundless capacity of young people and is dedicated to holding space that nurtures their curiosity, confidence, and possibility.
Kalei Gopar-Martinez (she/her)
Community Impact Specialist
303.499.3647
kalei@thornenature.org
Kalei worked with the NKJN program for over seven years before joining the Thorne team and loves paddleboarding, fishing, and having picnics.
Kayli Karie (she/her)
Preschool Educator
303.499.3647
kayli@thornenature.org
Kayli enjoys hiking with friends, swimming, practicing yoga, and spending time with her partner, her dogs (Daisy and Boots), and her family.
Krista Mortensen (she/her)
Development Director
303.499.3647 x 108
krista@thornenature.org
Krista has a passion for early childhood education, social-emotional learning, and equity in all things, and loves the ways Thorne’s mission and programs weave these together by connecting kids with nature.
Lauren Barth (she/her)
Preschool Director
303.499.3647 x 108
lauren@thornenature.org
In Lauren’s free time, she can be found making jewelry out of retired skis, rafting, climbing, biking, running, and hiking with her dog, Peri.
Molly Murphy (she/her)
Camp Program Director
303.499.3647
molly@thornenature.org
Molly feels at peace in nature while backpacking, hiking, swimming, or looking at the wildflowers each season.
Natalie Becker (she/her)
Nature Center Program Director
303.499.3647
natalie@thornenature.org
Natalie believes deeply in the summer camp experience as a means to connect young people with themselves, others, and the rest of the natural world.
Dr. oakleigh Thorne, II (he/him)
Rachel Brett (she/her)
Director of Community Partnerships
303.499.3647 x 102
rachel@thornenature.org
When she’s not working, Rachel spends her time hiking, trail running, gardening, eating hummus, and playing with her two children.
Silje Copper (she/her)
Preschool Educator
303.499.3647
silje@thornenature.org
Silje believes that children who develop a love of nature will become lifelong stewards of the Earth, and Thorne Nature Preschool helps children to love the outdoors.
Our Board of Trustees
Thorne is governed by a Board of Trustees, which makes policy-level decisions that guide operations to ensure the fulfillment of Thorne’s mission. All of Thorne’s Trustees volunteer their time and contribute their talents in ways that best help Thorne connect youth to nature.
John Ricotta / Board Chair
FirstBank - Executive Vice President
Sarah Hauck / Vice Chair
Conservation International - Director, Freshwater Health Index
Sarah Irizarry / Treasurer
Harris Freeman - VP of Brands and E-commerce
Aidan Smith / Secretary
CEO of American Outdoor Products
John Ahrens
BOE St Vrain Valley School District - Director of Education
Luis Alvarez
Dolphin View Vacation Rentals - Principal
Leidy Pineda Flores
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks - Bilingual Education & Outreach Senior Representative
David Kirk
Highland Real Estate Consulting
Sari Long
Faegre Drinker - Partner & Corporate Immigration Attorney
Juana Mendoza
Longmont Justice Center - Volunteer; Generate Hope Non-Profit Agency
Annika Paradise
Instructor, Front Range Community College; Author
Tammy Sandoval
State Farm- Agent
Jay Schultz
Workday- Director, Software Engineering
Micah Shagoury
JSR Life Sciences - Senior Manager Strategic Planning
Mary Kathryn Wood
WK Real Estate - Real Estate Agent; former BVSD High School Teacher