Meet our Staff

Becca Schild

Executive Director
rschild@rfov.org
(she/her)

Born and raised in Colorado, love for the outdoors and public lands is central to Becca's identity and lifestyle. Prior to joining RFOV, she applied her passion for the environment as an outdoor educator, sustainability practitioner, and college teacher with organizations like Fort Lewis College, Colorado College, CU Boulder, the National Outdoor Leadership School, and the High Mountain Institute. A graduate of Colorado College, Becca went on to receive a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University and a PhD in Environmental Studies from CU Boulder. Her dissertation examined the role that volunteer stewardship organizations – such as RFOV – play in land management and environmental citizenship. Becca is energized and inspired to work directly in the field of community stewardship at RFOV and apply her previous experience to making a big impact on her community and home. When not at work, you’ll find Becca out rock climbing, trail running, or exploring nature with her daughter Aven and son Cedar.

Ben Sherman

Education Director
bsherman@rfov.org
(he/him)

Ben has been with RFOV since January of 2019. He joined the team as an educator and became RFOV's Education Director in 2020. Ben oversees educational programming for youth and the wider community, from Spruce Up Your School to the year-round Youth in Nature program.

With experience working for Outward Bound, the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, and the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Ben enjoys bringing his passion for outdoor education to audiences from Parachute to Aspen.

He unwinds by skiing, climbing, and hiking - unhurriedly enough to ID birds, wildflowers, and more. A midwestern transplant to the Roaring Fork Valley, Ben moved from Minnesota in 2017, trading 10,000 lakes for high alpine lakes. 

Jack Douglas

Program Director
jdouglas@rfov.org
(he/him)

Jack’s desire to preserve, protect and enhance access to Colorado’s incredible wild spaces and public lands drove him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy from Colorado College and a master’s degree in Natural Resource Stewardship from Colorado State University. These same desires brought Jack to RFOV as a seasonal Field Coordinator in 2021, where he has worked in various roles ever since.

As Program Director with RFOV, Jack is thrilled to put his natural resource education and experience into practice alongside RFOV’s dedicated volunteers–working to build a place-based community stewardship ethic and a sense of shared responsibility for the natural systems that support and enrich the livelihoods and adventure-pursuits of our mountain community.

When not working with RFOV, you can find Jack exploring the natural areas he loves by ski, boat and foot and playing and recording music with his band Tommy the Animal.

Claire is super excited to engage volunteers in Group and Adopt-a-Trail projects this season with RFOV as the Program Coordinator! Claire grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Policy from Western Washington University.

Claire has dedicated her career to working in non-profit organizations doing conservation work and environmental education. Throughout her career, Claire has taught students about salmon and freshwater habitat, led groups of volunteers to do butterfly research in the Manu National Park in Peru, and has done watershed and climate education while living on her bicycle.

Claire is furthering her knowledge by pursuing a Master’s Degree in Natural Resource Stewardship with an emphasis in Ecological Restoration. In her free time, she loves to hang out with her dog Oso, paint with watercolors, play soccer, ride bikes, wander in the desert, and water her plants.

Sophie Ahava

Marketing and Communications Manager
sahava@rfov.org
(she/her)

Sophie joined RFOV in June 2023 and quickly fell in love with the mission and work of RFOV. She is passionate about connecting with the outdoors and enjoys sharing stories and photos while doing it.

Sophie grew up in Rhode Island and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Wahisngton in marketing and sociology. Sophie brings valuable expereince in digital marketing, non-profit fundraising, and volunteer/donor outreach gained from an internship with Plan International USA. She also has success in building outdoor curriculums and programs for youth, gained during her time with AmeriCorps in Creede, CO.

In her free time, Sophie enjoys traveling, hiking, snowshoeing, mixed martial arts, and coaching youth sports.

Carly Valerious

Youth In Nature Program Coordinator
cvalerious@rfov.org
(she/her)

With a drive for adventure, connecting with the natural world and the people who inhabit it, Carly graduated with a degree in environmental science from Colorado College. During college, Carly worked in sustainable food systems, implementing measures to localize food for the college’s cafes.

She also worked as a farmhand in Salt Lake City at two community supported agriculture (CSA) operations. Carly first began working with students as an outdoor educator for high schoolers in Valdez, AK.

When not at work, you can find Carly on her bike, running in the woods, drawing, and snowboarding/splitboarding with her friends.

Seasonal Staff 2023

Chris Shumpert

Field Coordinator
cshumpert@rfov.org
(He/him)

Born in England, raised in Virginia, and transplanted to Colorado, Chris has been lucky to experience a wide variety of the natural world from a young age. This inspiration led Chris to the world of conservation, where he worked as an environmental educator and climber steward to further advocate for his passions.

When out and about, Chris can be found at the crag, the skatepark, or in a coffee shop working on the day's crossword.

Carter Gray

Trail Crew Member
cgray@rfov.org
(she/her)

Growing up surrounded by the outdoor community of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Carter quickly developed a love for spending as much time in nature as possible. Whether trail running, rock climbing, or hiking, she feels most rejuvenated after a day in the woods.

Carter is passionate about spreading her love of the outdoors to others and encouraging a culture of respect for our lands.

Jenny Rokosch

Trail Crew Leader
jrokosch@rfov.org
(she/they)

Jenny is a homegrown Montanan who grew up nested in between the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains. She’s passionate about environmental policy and playing in the great outdoors.

Jenny believes in the sentiment that the universe loves us and that we'd be silly not to love it back.  

Alexis McIntyre

Field Coordinator
amcintyre@rfov.org
(she/her)

From both the Roaring Fork Valley and southern Illinois, Alexis studied communications and political science at Southern Illinois University. However, she found herself always coming back to her love for being outside.

Alexis has worked on a backcountry crosscut crew and lead a trail crew and is excited for her next adventure with RFOV.

Riley Holzhuter

Trail Crew Member
rholzhuter@rfov.org
(she/her)

From Rollinsford, New Hampshire, Riley was most recently a trail crew member with Student Conservation Association (SCA). She has a passion for adventure and is always looking forward to learning from the people and places she meets along the way.

When not maintaining trails, you’ll find Riley hiking and camping anywhere from the Northeast to the deserts of the Southwest.

Laurel Wright

Trail Crew Member
lwright@rfov.org
(she/her)

While Laurel has lived in Colorado for 3 years, this will be her first season living and working in the Roaring Fork Valley. She is excited to experience a new part of the state and is passionate about conserving beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy.

In her free time, Laurel enjoys hiking, backpacking, and skiing.

RFOV Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors are committed professionals devoted to preserving public lands.