WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST HIKING/CAMPING MEMORY? My father took the family camping in the early ’60s to the Carbon River area of Mt. Rainier National Park where we hiked up the trail to the foot of the glacier. When he first came to the U.S. from England (six months before his young family followed), he asked what people did in the Northwest for recreation and was told that they hiked and camped. That led him to REI to buy a membership and our first family tent. For me, it always is a best family tent ever.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE OUTDOORS? It grounds me in so many ways. The views help me gain perspective on how we fit on this planet and the importance we share in caring for our wild places. The bond gained between friends, family and even strangers feeds the soul. And, nothing can compare to the feeling when a whole family sleeping together in a 4 man tent, it’s so sweet and peaceful.

WHAT’S THE BEST TIME YOU EVER HAD OUTDOORS? Sailing in 2000 to the north end of Vancouver Island in a chartered sailboat with my parents and my children -kayaking, eating fresh crab, and exploring parts of the Inside Passage that my great, great grandfather helped explore and chart in the mid-1860s. Blending history together with three generations of family in one of the planet’s most beautiful places was pretty amazing. Having pictures of my family, together with my father (who died in 2003) on a point named for an ancestor is something we all will cherish. And seeing nearly 100 orcas in Discovery Passage as two pods came together was icing on the cake.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Working for REI is a joy – I feel that all of us at the co-op have the privilege of coming to work ‘or an important purpose – to inspire, educate and outfit people for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. On tough days and easy days, I feel blessed to work with such an amazing and Committed group of people who share a love of the outdoors and a desire to share that love with other people.

WHY SHOULD EVERYBODY SPEND AT LEAST A LITTLE TIME OUTDOORS? Our lives are accelerating and we are continually bombarded with messages and demands that induce stress and make it difficult to prioritize. The outdoors brings perspective, peace, and an opportunity to recharge the batteries, literally and figuratively. From Vitamin D to exercise, to fresh air – it’s just plain good for us. Having just climbed Mt. Rainier with a group of very accomplished women, the joy we all experienced in a 2,000 foot glissade down the Inter Glacier and the “inner six year old” that was unleashed was the most perfect example of what a great antidote the outdoors is for our busy lives.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES YOU’VE SEEN LATELY IN THE OUTDOOR MARKET? A growing recognition of the disconnect between people and nature, especially children, and our collective responsibility to make the outdoors welcoming and less intimidating to people. This is a MUST if you want to create best things such as family camping tents, camping gear, family outdoors…

CURRENT FAVORITE BOOK? “Endurance” by Alfred Lansing – it will remain my favorite as an incredible testament to leadership, commitment to team and perseverance.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT THESE DAYS? Raising awareness of the growing disconnect between children and nature and the opportunity we all have to bring the outdoors and nature back into peoples’ everyday lives.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A PART OF THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY? Aligning my vocation with my avocation, while helping build a sense of responsibility in our industry to introduce more people to nature and build lasting, sustainable support for the places we care about, near and far.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OUTDOOR GOALS/DREAMS THAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEXT DECADE? To circumnavigate Vancouver Island in my sailboat, sail to the Queen Charlotte Islands and keep climbing as many enjoyable peaks with good friends as I can while my aging knees hold out.

WHAT ARE THREE TRAITS EVERY LEADER SHOULD HAVE? Humility, curiosity and the ability to listen.