Meet the team behind ADK
ADK’s dedicated staff and board members work every day to protect wild lands, inspire responsible recreation, and grow a passionate outdoor community. Together, they bring decades of expertise and deep commitment to our mission.
Team Members
ADK’s team—spanning trail crews, educators, program managers, executive leadership, and a dedicated volunteer board—is united by a shared commitment to conservation, community, and guiding the organization’s mission and values.
Catherine Forbes
Cathy Pedler
Cathy is ADK’s Director of Advocacy and has worked for the organization since 2013. Before joining ADK, Cathy worked as an Archaeologist, Sustainability Coordinator,...
Charles Kilbourne
Charles Evans Kilbourne, III is Managing Director and Secretary of the Corporation of the Financial Services Volunteer Corps. FSVC is a not-for-profit, private-public partnership...
Cortney Koenig Worrall
Cortney joined ADK as its new executive director in 2025, charged with leading the organization through its continued modernization and unparalleled program delivery in...
Daria Stacy
Daria started as a seasonal Naturalist Intern in 2021 and has had many titles at ADK since. She served as a seasonalOutreach Educator in...
David Lynch
David holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from SUNY Albany. He first joined ADK as the Assistant Editor for Adirondac magazine in 2023 before...
Day Jordan
Day holds a Master’s in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a BS in Zoology from Cal Poly Humboldt...
Dr. Peter Pettengill
Dr. Pettengill was as an outdoor recreation planner at Grand Canyon National Park. Employed by the National Park Service, he served as a subject...
Elaina Lanphear
Ermine Elaina began her journey at ADK as a New York State–certified guide, leading seasonal hiking and overnight programs and helping participants build confidence...
Erik Gregory
Erik has been an ADK member since 1998, and a Board Member since 2008 when the Binghamton Chapter was formed. He has served as...
Jen Shepherd
Jennifer Durán
Josh Ellis
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree from Houghton University and a master’s degree from New York University where they studied religious institutionalization and queer theory. Josh...
Julie Groth
Katie Leton
Kayla Beck
Kayla White
Keaveny Magennis
Keaveny fell in love with the Adirondacks while camping and working in the region, and gained a passion for introducing people to outdoor recreation...
Laura Fiske
Laura Fiske has been a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club since the early 2000s and is active with the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter. She...
Laurie Schweighardt
Laurie first joined ADK in 2009, working in membership until she retired in 2018. She continued helping ADK out in seasonal positions until she...
Liam Ebner
Lorelei Meidenbauer
Ladybug Lorelei has been with ADK since September 2024, where she leads backcountry skills workshops and outdoor education programs that help people explore the...
Lucy Beaulieu
Mac Shafer
Mac joined the Adirondack Mountain Club in April 2024. He has always had a passion for outdoor recreation and conservation and has been recreating...
Mark Minnoe
Mason Pfluke
Mickey Orta
Mickey Orta is Senior Vice President and Director of Business Development for NBT Wealth Management. In this role, he is responsible for NBT’s Wealth...
Molly Marcy
Nancy Kindersley
Nate Fischer
Growing up, Nate spent many summers hiking in the Adirondacks. This, combined with being an alum of two Outward Bound schools, put him on...
Nick Kepford
Nick earned a bachelor's degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Maine. He has been coming to the Adirondacks since childhood...
Noelle Wobig
Paul Leinwand
Paul Leinwand is an Adjunct Professor of Strategy at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, and Global Managing Director, leading the Firm's approach to Capabilities...
Rich Ross
Sam Fairchild
Sammy Randall
Sammy joined ADK in the spring of 2026 as the High Peaks Information Center Educator where they help folks learn how to safely and...
Sara Cook
Sky Smith
Syd Steger
Syd brings boundless energy and a powerhouse set of leadership skills from her time as a Division 3 collegiate coach, Heart Lake Hospitality Crew...
Tom Manitta
“Tamarak Tom” manages ADK’s environmental interpretation opportunities through planning, design and program facilitation. Tom has lived in the Adirondacks since 2011 and is originally...
Virginia Ruhland-Mauhs
Virginia started working for Adirondack Mountain Club seasonally back in 2020 as a member of the Professional Trail Crew. After graduating from the University...
Zach Campbell
Zach Hyde
Zach started working with the Adirondack Mountain Club in 2023 at Johns Brook Lodge. With a background in property management and hospitality, he quickly...
Zach Lawrence
Zach first worked at ADK as a Naturalist Intern in 2019. He was inspired by working that summer interpreting the natural world for visitors...
Join our team
Interested in working with us? Explore current job openings and become part of the ADK story.