Our People

The compassion, commitment, and joy that our guides and therapeutic mentors bring to their work every day define the experiences we create for young people.

  • Our dedicated and deeply committed staff bring their experience in adventure guiding, and activities like rock climbing, rafting, snow play, and more. 

  • Others are trained in providing high-quality environmental literacy experiences. 

  • Many of our staff specialize in psychology, child development, coaching, youth advocacy, and trauma healing. 

  • We leverage the diverse knowledge and experience of our people to partner with teachers, schools, families, social workers, therapists, hospitals, researchers, and other youth-serving organizations to produce transformational experiences that help young people achieve their full potential.

  • Everyone who works for us has personal experience with the transformational power of nature and approaches their work determined to ensure every young person can have these experiences. 

  • For us, a commitment to excellence means we don’t shy away from what’s difficult — rather, we lean into these difficult moments with compassionate support because holistic development of youth is crucial to creating a positive future for all. 

Board of Directors

Leadership Team

  • Kelly Bathgate

    Kelly Bathgate

    Interim Executive Director

  • Peter Mayfield

    Peter Mayfield

    Founder, Director of Strategic Expansion

  • Alex Humenetskyj

    Alex Humenetskyj

    Chief Operating Officer

  • Kate Frankfurt

    Kate Frankfurt

    Director of Philanthropy

  • Lisa Hussar

    Lisa Hussar

    Administrative Director

  • Crystal Cunning

    Crystal Cunning

    Whole Hearts Program Director, Truckee

  • Tonya Semas, LMFT, RN

    Tonya Semas, LMFT, RN

    Whole Hearts Interim Clinical Director, Truckee

  • Cali Fraser

    Cali Fraser

    Sierra Experience Director

  • Joody Marks

    Joody Marks

    Whole Hearts Program Director, San Francisco

  • Melinda S. Malher

    Melinda S. Malher

    Whole Hearts Clinical Director, San Francisco

Whole Hearts, Minds & Bodies Clinical Team

  • Tonya Semas, LMFT, RN

    Tonya Semas, LMFT, RN

    Whole Hearts Interim Clinical Director, Truckee

  • Rachel Levi, LMFT, CEDS

    Rachel Levi, LMFT, CEDS

    Certified Ecotherapist, Truckee

  • Melinda S. Malher

    Melinda S. Malher

    Whole Hearts Clinical Director, San Francisco

  • Austin Sherman

    Austin Sherman

    Clinical Supervisor, Truckee

  • Sandy Umphrey

    Sandy Umphrey

    Whole Hearts Administrative Case Manager, Truckee

Staff Members