Growing up in Chicago Zulma had minimal interaction with nature and outdoor adventure. Her first in-depth engagement opportunities came as a young adult as she traveled across Europe, Latin America and Oceania for over four years. During her travels she experienced the rebalancing power of nature and witnessed positive transformational changes in diverse populations after engagement with the outdoors. This inspired Zulma to work with youth in a variety of outdoor nonprofits to help promote healthy relationships with nature at a young age. She was also prompted to enhance her own relationship to nature and its wide benefits by engaging in novel outdoor sports. This included competing as a dragon boat paddler for a local team in Melbourne, Australia and an eights rower for Wolfson College at the University of Cambridge as Zulma completed her master’s in Psychology and Education. Since returning to the States in early 2019 Zulma has ventured into mountaineering and cross-country skiing, and she continues to explore new outdoor activities to integrate into her regular practice of trail running, cycling, hiking and yoga. Zulma is excited to join BAWT and synthesize her knowledge in outdoor education research, nonprofit programming/organization and holistic health with her passion for outdoor adventure to support the development of healthy, inclusive and sustainable connections to the outdoors for local youth, community leaders, educators and other Bay Area members.
Born and raised in northern California, Genevieve spent years living in the Midwest and outside Washington, DC. But longed to return home to the Bay Area, and the 4 season outdoor life we appreciate here. She has professional experience crafting development strategy for private foundations, promoting the mission and values of the organizations to business leaders and the greater community, as well as working with business leaders and the greater community in order to secure funding and support for a variety of advocacy organizations.Genevieve is thrilled that her professional path has led to her passion for sacred time in nature. She believes that giving our youth exposure to the outdoors provides a grounding awareness of self and surroundings that can only come from connecting to nature. When not at work, you will likely find Genevieve camping and angling on the McCloud, the Upper Sac, or Trinity Rivers
Grant Manager
Lindsay is a true desert dweller coming from the high temperatures of Phoenix, Arizona. Graduating from Arizona State University with her degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Lindsay has dedicated her career to learning the ins and outs of fundraising. Outside of work, Lindsay has spent countless hours exploring her favorite Arizona trails around the Sedona Red Rocks and kayaking on the desert’s many lakes. Inspired by the wonder of Grand Canyon National Park – her favorite spot in the West, Lindsay believes every child deserves the opportunity to connect with wild sceneries that awes and empowers them. Understanding the system of oppression that prevents youth of color from exploring the outdoors, Lindsay is motivated for her start at BAWT!
The power of nature captured Danielle's heart at a very young age. Annual camping and backpacking trips in Yosemite opened her eyes to the natural wonders and heightened her appreciation for the outdoors. Her passion to protect the sacredness of nature can be credited to this early and deep exposure to it. As an educator and mother of two, Danielle has been privileged in helping young eyes open to the beautiful details in nature. She joins the BAWT team with great enthusiasm for the mission and the long-term impacts on the youth of the Bay Area. The more positive experiences we all have in nature, the more honored and obligated we feel to protect it for generations to come.
Amy grew up camping around San Diego as a kid. She returned to outdoor adventure while working at a high school in East Palo Alto, CA which has long partnered with BAWT to power its successful outdoor education program. Amy has since become an avid backpacker, hiker, and climber, and attended a NOLS Fall Semester for Outdoor Educators in 2021 before landing at BAWT to work in the Oakland Gear Library in 2022. Amy also organizes queer community events in the Bay Area and dabbles in instructing for youth outdoor programs.
Anya is from Oakland, and grew up spending summers in our hometown redwoods at Roberts Regional park . She was introduced to ropes courses while at UC San Diego, and has since worked in teambuilding and youth development on challenge courses in San Diego and the Bay. Taking the WLT with BAWT was an important experience for her, and she is excited to pay that forward, along with the mentorship she’s received from incredible educators, to support the OUSD community to take students outside. Anya is proud that BAWT specifically aims to challenge systemic oppressions that create financial and social barriers for all youth to have equitable access to nature, and looks forward to continuing to partner with Oakland teachers and staff to create great outdoor experiences for young people.
Lindsay is a true desert dweller coming from the high temperatures of Phoenix, Arizona. Graduating from Arizona State University with her degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Lindsay has dedicated her career to learning the ins and outs of fundraising. Outside of work, Lindsay has spent countless hours exploring her favorite Arizona trails around the Sedona Red Rocks and kayaking on the desert’s many lakes. Inspired by the wonder of Grand Canyon National Park – her favorite spot in the West, Lindsay believes every child deserves the opportunity to connect with wild sceneries that awes and empowers them. Understanding the system of oppression that prevents youth of color from exploring the outdoors, Lindsay is motivated for her start at BAWT!
Amy grew up camping around San Diego as a kid. She returned to outdoor adventure while working at a high school in East Palo Alto, CA which has long partnered with BAWT to power its successful outdoor education program. Amy has since become an avid backpacker, hiker, and climber, and attended a NOLS Fall Semester for Outdoor Educators in 2021 before landing at BAWT to work in the Oakland Gear Library in 2022. Amy also organizes queer community events in the Bay Area and dabbles in instructing for youth outdoor programs.
Ilana is a true mountain lover, growing up in Vermont and Colorado, the healing effects of spending time in nature were ingrained from a young age. Ilana is an experienced non-profit project and program manager, with a 5-year career spanning environmental stewardship and community building with a degree from Dickinson College in Environmental Studies. My work focuses on experiential education, community building and regenerative justice. Ilana is passionate about regenerative agriculture, and the intersection at which diversity, equity and inclusion meet. Ilana is ecstatic to join the BAWT team and bring her skillset to uplift community leaders in creating inclusive and connective outdoor experiences for youth. In her free time, Ilana enjoys making various seasonal recipes, practices yoga and explores the various natural wonders of California!
Our Faculty instructors work closely with internal staff to help increase Bawt's reach and educate the curious with our mission goals.