Board & Staff | KMTA

As Executive Director of KMTA, Rachel oversees the organizations's strategic direction, program development, and overall operations. She is a community and environmental health advocate with over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, education, and research. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies from Southwestern University, and a Masters in Marine in Environmental Affairs from the University of Washington. She has a deep respect for nature and a passion for helping expand access to the outdoors. As an avid outdoor enthusiast herself, you can find Rachel spending her spare time recreating with her family and dogs in Alaska's beautiful forests, mountains, and waters (many of her favorite which lie in the KMTA corridor).

You can reach her at rachelblakeslee@kmtacorridor.org.

Jessa West has previously worked as a project geologist with over seven years of experience within various areas of geosciences in Alaska. She received a B.S. in Geology with a concentration in Environmental and Engineering Geology in spring of 2014 from Western Washington University. Growing up in Anchorage with access to all the natural beauty that surrounds it, including the KMTA corridor, inspired her love for the outdoors. To this day, she enjoys camping, hiking, beachcombing, and recreating with her family throughout Alaska’s mountains, coastlines, and everywhere in between.

You can reach her at jessawest@kmtacorridor.org.

Jessa West has previously worked as a project geologist with over seven years of experience within various areas of geosciences in Alaska. She received a B.S. in Geology with a concentration in Environmental and Engineering Geology in spring of 2014 from Western Washington University. Growing up in Anchorage with access to all the natural beauty that surrounds it, including the KMTA corridor, inspired her love for the outdoors. To this day, she enjoys camping, hiking, beachcombing, and recreating with her family throughout Alaska’s mountains, coastlines, and everywhere in between.

Born and raised in Homer Alaska, Josh has a deep appreciation for the Alaskan wilderness and a desire for the next generation to see the outdoors as a space where they belong. This desire led him to work with kids on Mount Humphreys for Camp Colton and eventually to KMTA. As the Outdoor Education Programs Coordinator, Josh works to empower young learners by combining adventure and education in the outdoor classroom. He holds a B.A. in Social Sciences with a concentration in History from the University of Alaska Southeast. Outside of work, Josh can be found romping around in nature near his home in Anchorage or seasonally commercial fishing for salmon in the wild rivers of Bristol Bay.

You can reach him at jvantrease@kmtacorridor.org.

As the Education Program Manager, Sarah works to connect young Alaskans to their public lands through residential, place based educational programs. Drawn toward education in nontraditional settings, she has worked with The Glacier Institute, Montana Outdoor Science School, Teton Science Schools, and The Traveling School, teaching and traveling with students in South America on an experiential overseas semester. Sarah now lives and works within the National Heritage Area, calling Moose Pass home and working seasonally for the Forest Service as a backcountry ranger and wildland firefighter on the Chugach National Forest. She holds a B.S. in Molecular & Cellular Biology from the University of Puget Sound, and loves to be in the mountains learning, recreating, and foraging for her favorite wild foods.

You can reach her at sarahschuh@kmtacorridor.org.

As the Alaska Outdoor School (AOS) Program Manager, Sarah works to connect young Alaskans to their public lands through residential, place based educational programs. Drawn toward education in nontraditional settings, she has worked with The Glacier Institute, Montana Outdoor Science School, Teton Science Schools, and The Traveling School, teaching and traveling with students in South America on an experiential overseas semester. Sarah now lives and works within the National Heritage Area, calling Moose Pass home and working seasonally for the Forest Service as a backcountry ranger and wildland firefighter on the Chugach National Forest. She holds a B.S. in Molecular & Cellular Biology from the University of Puget Sound, and loves to be in the mountains learning, recreating, and foraging for her favorite wild foods.

Lily is originally from Ohio and holds a BS in Communications from the Media School at Ohio University. After graduation, she spent six years working at award-winning advertising agencies in London, England, developing strategies and influencer campaigns for international brands. In April of 2023, Lily relocated to Seward and has loved being able to explore her surroundings with her Border Collie mix, Scout.

You can reach Lily at lily@kmtacorridor.org