Board of Directors

Term: Jan. 2025–Dec. 2027

A Mazama member with deep involvement in the climbing community, Robin brings a thoughtful perspective on the organization's evolution and future direction to the Board of Directors. Her focus centers on strengthening communication between leadership and members while addressing key challenges facing the Mazamas. Robin's vision emphasizes enhancing stewardship of outdoor spaces, adapting climbing programs to meet increasing demand, and fostering a more diverse and inclusive climbing community. Her commitment to open dialogue and strategic growth aims to ensure the Mazama legacy remains strong and relevant in today's changing outdoor recreation landscape.

Professional affiliation: Capital Project Manager, Portland Parks & Recreation
 

Contact Robin

Term: Jan. 2025 – Dec. 2026

Jessica Minifie

I am interested in being a part of the transition to the future of the Mazamas. As the organization moves to modernize and secure its long-term financial health, I want to help ensure the Mazamas can continue to deliver the programs that, to me, are at the heart of the organization. Having volunteered many hours for several of the educational programs, I am well aware of the value they provide, and also the resources needed to sustain them.  As the Mazamas develops its strategic plan and begins to align itself with that plan, I think my professional experience would benefit the board. I work as a lawyer drafting legislation, and would therefore be able to assist in tasks such as updating the Mazama bylaws, writing policies, and identifying potential legal issues and risks. I have a lot of experience working with diverse groups of stakeholders and identifying areas of consensus and compromise. I am also always willing to perform the types of rote tasks that are not necessarily glamourous, but that are needed for an organization to function well.

Professional affiliation: Senior Deputy Legislative Counsel, Oregon Legislature

Contact Jessica

Chris Kruell

A proud Mazama for over 17 years, I love the community the Mazamas have created and continue to nurture. This candidacy reflects my commitment to give back to an organization that has enriched my life through education, camaraderie, and shared adventures (types one through three!). I’m dedicated to supporting our passion for mountaineering and the outdoors while inspiring and educating future generations.  I’ve had the privilege of serving as president and vice president of the Mazamas board, where I deepened my understanding of our mission and the diverse perspectives of our members. With my extensive marketing background, I aim to build on our community leadership, storied legacy, and forward-thinking vision to strengthen our recognized role in mountaineering and outdoor recreation.  As a collaborative leader, I’ve navigated resource-constrained environments, consistently achieving goals. My budget planning and management experience—from startups to Fortune 200 companies—equips me to enhance our board's professionalism and maintain fiscal integrity for our organization.

Professional affiliation: Marketing Consultant and Fractional CMO

Contact Chris

Term: Jan. 2026–Dec. 2026

Brad Dewey Brad Dewey

My start with the Mazamas is a familiar story. I moved here from the Midwest six years ago eager to explore the mountains and wilderness of the PNW. Fortunately, I soon found the Mazamas and an intriguing class called BCEP. After completing BCEP in 2021 and enjoying a rewarding first climbing season, I was hooked. I rolled right into ICS and then Canyoneering. Since then, the Mazamas has been a central part of my life. As a volunteer, I am an active hike leader and a regular assistant with BCEP and ICS. I’m also a provisional climb leader and hope to earn full climber leader status this spring. Along the way, I've found a welcoming, supportive community of friends and mentors. These experiences have fueled a strong commitment to the Mazamas mission and its ongoing vitality, and a deep appreciation for our dedicated volunteers. I am honored to serve on the Board and will work diligently to help ensure that the Mazamas continues to educate, inspire, and foster community well into the future.

Contact Brad

Term: Jan. 2026–Dec. 2028

Brook Harris

As a Mazama Board member, my focus is on building a welcoming community where people can explore, learn, and give back together. I bring more than a decade of volunteer leadership with the Mazama Lodge Program and experience with Basic Climbing Education Program, where I’ve seen how time in the mountains can transform confidence, connection, and stewardship.

In my professional life, I am a long‑time people leader dedicated to team development, organizational culture, and creating inclusive, high‑quality experiences, and I bring that same approach to supporting the Mazama staff, volunteers, and members. My passion for conservation and field work includes volunteering with organizations such as Forest Park Conservancy, the Pacific Crest Trail Association, and HistoriCorps, where I also serve on the board, and I am excited to help the Mazamas deepen its role in education, stewardship, and mountain community in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact Brook

Term: Jan. 2025–Dec. 2027

Petra LeBaron-Botts

I first found the Mazamas in 2008 after relocating to Portland from northern Virginia. I felt an obligation to learn how to ski and found the Mazamas’ Nordic Ski class. This led to taking BCEP in 2009. I cannot overstate how pivotal the BCEP experience, and all that followed, was for me. Not only did I meet wonderful people with whom I still climb today, but BCEP and my subsequent volunteer work with the Mazamas inspired me to launch a career in outdoor and experiential education. After taking ICS in 2010-2011, I left Portland to spend four years working for the National Outdoor Leadership School and a small wilderness therapy program in southwestern Colorado. I returned to Portland after completing my M.Ed. in Environmental Education in Bellingham, WA and landing a full-time faculty job with Mt. Hood Community College, where I currently teach in the Health & Physical Education department. 

Outside of work, I continue to volunteer with the Mazamas as a BCEP team leader and a Steep Snow & Ice Committee member. I have also been a rescuer with Portland Mountain Rescue since 2021 and have served on the PMR Board of Directors since 2022. My greatest love is connecting folks with the outdoors and witnessing the transformation, empowerment, and trust that can be cultivated through outdoor experiences. I feel deep gratitude for this work and equally deep gratitude to serve the Mazamas in this new capacity for the next three years. 

I currently live in Milwaukie with my husband John and our three wayward dogs: Lunchbox, Wells Lamont, and Taco. When not in the backcountry, we love van trips to the southwest with our pups, cooking, and tending our massive garden.

Professional affiliation: Instructor, Mt. Hood Community College

Contact Petra

Term: Jan. 2026–Dec. 2026

Bernie Murphy Bernie Murphy

In a stroke of luck, I first learned about the Mazamas the week BCEP applications were due. I was immediately impressed by how the common platform of the Mazamas could lead to so many different paths to enjoy the mountains. Since then, I’ve continued to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be a safer and more responsible backcountry traveler. And I’ve discovered a passion for ski mountaineering. 
Professionally, I’ve been a military officer, management consultant, and ops leader at a series of mission-driven startups. I look forward to lean on these experiences to help the Mazamas navigate many of the familiar challenges outlined in our strategic plan. 

Contact Bernie

Term: January 2026–December 2028

Marty Scott

I am a long-time Mazama member and climb leader and have been a BCEP co-leader and assistant, coordinated and assisted with Advanced Rock and chaired various committees. I have had the privilege of serving previously as a Mazama board member, treasurer and vice president and as a member and officer of other nonprofit and professional organization boards. My membership in the Mazamas has provided me with opportunities beyond my greatest expectations and has offered me many different opportunities for personal growth. To continue to provide these kind of experiences, remain relevant to current members and evolve to better serve future generations, we must maintain our focus on our mission of building a community that inspires everyone to love and protect the mountains.

Professionally, I am a retired Certified Public Accountant with experience as city controller, accounting manager, financial analyst, managing business operations and auditing in government, education and manufacturing.

Contact Marty

Term: Jan. 2026–Dec. 2028

Christin Ritscher

In 2018, shortly after moving to the U.S. from Germany, I was looking for a new outdoorsy community to continue hiking and enjoying nature. BCEP got me hooked and I continued my journey up the mountain by taking ICS and AR. Not only evolving my skills but continuously expanding my friendships and meeting climbing-mentors in our wonderful community.

Today, I am an active volunteer with multiple educational programs, program member, and aspiring climb leader. In many of my roles, I got to understand how much effort is needed to sustain and nourish an organization like the Mazamas. Seeing all the individuals investing their time and energy makes me feel humble and is my biggest motivation to help shape the future of the Mazamas.

Professionally, I work as a Strategic Project Manager, overseeing corporate projects in the fields of organizational restructuring, change management, and business strategy. My strengths are bringing everyone involved to the table, fostering communication between diverse groups of stakeholders, and driving decision making. All skills which I will be happy to apply when working with the board of directors.

Outside of work and climbing, I am a proud dog-mum to my Aussie boy Lennox who is quite a bit to handle too.

I am starting this term with new ideas and energy for continued reformation, willing to be of great assistance to all community members. It is my biggest desire and goal to listen to your needs and translate those into a future-ready organization. With that, I am excited to tackle the upcoming challenges, and I am even more excited to serve this great group of people, helping everyone to enjoy the mountains.

Contact Christin