Alicia Heyburn - Executive Director
Pronouns: she/her
Alicia promotes respectful, reciprocal relationships between people and the outdoors to benefit personal health, ecological awareness, and thriving communities. She serves on the board of Maine GearShare, the Advisory Board of the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Workgroup of Maine Trails Coalition.
She is a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide and a Wilderness First Responder, wife of a ski patroller and the mother of two kids who know that when the tide is in, mom is probably out.
Best Outdoor Adventure: camping on a Maine island
Favorite Outdoor Quote:
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” - Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Connor Huggins - Outreach and Communications Manager
Pronouns: he/him
Connor is a communications and public health professional with a passion for the outdoors, particularly in Maine. Throughout his career, he has worked on public health and wellness programs, public health research, and a variety of outdoor educational initiatives.
When he's not working, you can find Connor hiking, snowboarding, ice skating, canoeing, or exploring new trails with his wife and two dogs.
Best Outdoor Adventure: Winter snowshoeing and camping in the White Mountains
Favorite Outdoor Quote:
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” – Rachel Carson
Samantha Andrews - Outdoor Program Manager
Pronouns: she/her
Sam is a passionate outdoor advocate spanning her love for the outdoors from the mountains to the sea. She has spent most of her life getting out of her comfort zone and growing as an individual in the outdoors. After four years of working as a ski instructor, wilderness and sea kayak guide, Sam came to Teens to Trails with hopes to inspire new, exciting adventures, sustain outdoor clubs with the tools they need to thrive, and make positive connections with students.
She is a Certified Maine Sea Kayak and Recreational Guide, EMT, Wilderness First Responder, and Leave No Trace Master Educator. When she is not sea kayaking the coast, she is hiking, backpacking or skiing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Maine or Vermont.
Best Outdoor Adventure: Backpacking The Long Trail in Vermont End to End
Favorite Outdoor Quote:
“Live life fully while you’re here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You’re going anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don’t try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.” - Anthony Robbins
Katy Harkleroad - Office Administrator/Bookkeeper
Pronouns: she/her
Katy’s love of the outdoors started early. In her childhood home of Nebraska, Katy climbed every tree and splashed in every mud puddle she could find.
As Katy grew older, she recognized that emotional growth happens while exploring outside. This realization led her to outdoors-focused work around the country — from North Carolina to Wyoming to Maine.
When Katy isn’t working outside, she’s playing outdoors. Mountain biking, canoeing, skiing and adventure racing are among her current favorite activities, but she’s generally up for anything!
Katy is a certified Wilderness First Responder who is married to an outdoor enthusiast. Together they’re raising one super-energetic kiddo who, thankfully, enjoys seeking out adventure as much as they do!
Most Memorable Outdoor Adventure: Completing a female-led winter ascent of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Favorite Trail Activity: (Besides being silent) Picking up litter.
Mason Daugherty - Systems Integration
Pronouns: he/him
Mason is a Texan-turned-Mainer currently studying Computer Science and Digital & Computational Studies at Bowdoin College. Mason is working with Teens to Trails to increase organizational efficiency by implementing new tech tools and updating existing ones to meet the developing needs of our team.
Outside of the office or classroom, you'll often Mason on the water as a member of Bowdoin's crew team, making playlists for radio shows at WBOR 91.1 FM, or outdoors on a trail with a camera in hand.
Board of Managers
Leanna Bonds - Commerical Marketing Manager, ReVision Energy
Michele Labotz, MD - Sports Medicine Physician
Ted Hall - Retired school principal, MDOE consultant
Ashley Edmundson - Program Manager, MaineHealth
Sarah Hubert - Principal/Athletic Director, Wiscasset Middle High School
Todd Noyes - Director of Card Services, L.L.Bean
Mike Perna, CPA, CFA - Flying Point Advisors
Gerben Scherpier - Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President/CEO, The Trustees
Zachary Stegeman - Educator
Justin Strasburger - Executive Director, Full Plates Full Potential
Kirstie Truluck, Chair - Development Director, Midcoast Youth Center
Matt Wellington - Associate Director, Maine Public Health Association
Colette Twigg - Retired banking/finance professional
2024-2025 Youth Advisory Council
Margaret Brewster - Grade 12
Sacopee Valley High School
Margaret is currently a counselor at Camp Bishopswood in Hope, Maine.
Her favorite outdoor memory happened after her campers finished dinner and it unexpectedly began to rain. The campers held their jackets over the campfire to protect the flame, but most importantly, they wanted to save their desserts from getting wet!
Since Margaret was a little girl, her family has enjoyed taking long walks and gardening together. This inspired her love for the outdoors, and now she goes hiking or for strolls with her dog. Fun fact: Margaret is leash-training her cat, Beatrice, so she can take the cat on walks, too.
Margaret’s outdoor dream is to hike over a dozen trails in Baxter State Park, which was inspired by her trip exploring a few of the park trails this past summer.
Chris Reed - Grade 12
Winthrop High School
Chris’ favorite outdoor experience is paddling Eagle and Chamberlain Lake along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. His goal is to hike the Appalachian Trail before he is 30, either in sections or as a straight-through hike. Chris enjoys being outdoors because it brings him peace. He especially appreciates nature’s organic, untouched qualities.
Nora Condit - Grade 12
Edward Little High School
Nora enjoys being outside as often as possible. You’ll even find her doing homework outside! She’s an avid skier, but loves all seasons equally. She especially likes to be outside with family and friends.
Two years ago, she canoed the Allagash River with friends. At their campsite, they slept in hammocks, played in the river, and cooked yummy food! It was a fun experience she’ll never forget.
By the time she is 30, Nora hopes to hike the Appalachian Trail. She plans on starting in Georgia and hiking up to Maine.
Eva Dodge - Grade 12
Ecology Learning Center
Eva loves the outdoors because it brings her peace. "When you’re outside, you are your purist self," she says. Through her experiences, Eva has found meaningful connections in the outdoor community. This year, her goal is to ski more than ever before!
Nolan Packard - Grade 12
Belfast High School
Nolan’s goal is to take a trip somewhere new with friends. His favorite outdoor experience is going to Gardens Aglow at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay with his outdoor club. Nolan says he likes spending time outdoors as a means to meet new friends and create fun memories.
Jayden Thatcher - Grade 12
Mt. Abram High School
Jayden, aka Thatch, is a leader in her school outdoor club and also helps lead Mt. Blue’s outdoor programming. She believes in the importance of spending time outside to better understand the person she is becoming. She is excited to be a part of the YAC to help encourage others to get outside!
Jayden hopes to explore more of Maine and in the future, she would like to hike the Appalachian Trail in sections.
Advisory Council
Ryan Adams - Finance Manager, TruChoice Federal Credit Union
Jane Arbuckle - Stewardship Director, Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Marc Bourgoin - CEO, Lincoln Canoe & Kayak
David Butler - Owner/Guide, Maine Path & Paddle Guide
Carolyn Brodsky - Founder, Sterling Rope Co., Inc.
Nick Callanan - Producer, Maine Outdoor Film Festival / No Umbrella Media
Shawn Carlson - Principal Camden Hills Regional HS
Charlie Fear - Former Director, Chewonki Camp for Boys
Linda Hanson - Teacher, Retired
Alix Hopkins - Writer & Consultant
Julie Isbill - National Park Service, Rivers & Trails Conservation Assistance
Jane Koopman - NOLS Instructor
Dawn Littlefield-Gordon - Healthy Weight Coordinator, Maine CDC
Ryan Linehan - Former Director of Outdoor Education, Colby College
Erika Rhile - Teacher & Outdoor Club Advisor, Cheverus High School
Rob Rowse - Former President, Rowse Co
Rebecca Rundquist - Philanthropy
Ben Sampson - Engineer
Lynne Seeley - Urban Planner
Mckenzie Smith - Law Clerk, Anchorage Superior Court
Cory Snow - Teacher & Outing Club Advisor, South Portland High School
Sheridan Steele - Retired Superintendent, Acadia National Park
Brenda Weis - Teacher & Outing Club Advisor, Cony High School