Our Board & Staff
Our board, officers, staff, and leaders have a diverse range of experiences and qualifications including technical expertise in trail building and wilderness management, leadership in youth development programs, managerial and business foundations, and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship.
Our Staff
Agnes Vianzon
Founder and Executive Director
Hello! I'm Agnes (she/they), I am a first-generation, queer filipinx, who grew up in the San Fernando and Simi Valleys of Southern California. I currently call Bishop home, ancestral lands of the Northern Paiute and Eastern/Western Mono Monache. My parents would take my brother and I on too-long road trips to National Parks and Monuments which, at the time, I did not appreciate. However, after completing an environmental studies degree from UCSB, I joined the California Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Backcountry Trails Program to live and do trail work in a National Park for 5 months, my perspective completely shifted. Those 5 months in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park launched the next chapter of my journey, 10 years of seasonal work - snowboarding and bartending on Mammoth Mountain in the winter and leading young people working trails each summer. Over those 10 years, I worked my way up in leadership positions on both fronts; including becoming Food and Beverage manager, SEKI Trails Foreman, and eventually promoting to program coordinator for the Backcountry Trails Program. My past experiences became the driving force behind my ambition to start ESCC and expand access and inclusion in the conservation world. With the help of close friends, my community and my supportive partner, I started laying the foundations for ESCC. By 2017, ESCC was a 501c3 nonprofit organization, with an all-women crew being the first boots on the ground. Since then, we have served over 100 alumni and nearly double our programing each year.
Cristina Navarro Cruz
Associate Director
Hi everyone! My name is Cristina. I love spending immersive time outside with loved ones—laughing, moving our bodies, and actively working toward a more just world. My journey with ESCC began in 2020 on the SEKI-CC crew, an experience that completely rerouted my career (in the best way possible). Since then, I’ve been hooked on the power of hard work, good company, and the magic of the Eastern Sierra. I keep coming back because I believe in ESCC’s leadership and values—and because the people here are pretty great. I’m beyond excited to meet each of you, swap stories, and share in the challenge and adventure ahead!
Paola Flores Núñez
Program Manager
¡Hola todxs! Soy paola (she/her), the daughter of Mexican immigrants, granddaughter of Mexican farmworkers, and sister to four. Through my work in the environmental field, I strive to cultivate a consciousness of connectivity while also fostering hope for change.
Ash Weil
Field Operations Coordinator, Development
I'm Ash Weil and I am a queer Floridian who's been bopping around the west coast for about 12 years. I've have been with ESCC since 2021, leading Queer affinity trips and leading the WILDlands technical crew in 2023 and 2024. This year, I stepped into the role Field Operations Coordinator! In 2013, after living the Big Easy life in New Orleans and having never been camping, I got an offer to join the Backcountry Trails Program in the Shasta Trinity National Forest. Since then, I've worked in natural resource management in the Santa Cruz District, trail crew and hazard trees in Kings Canyon, back to Santa Cruz to focus on Forestry and Fire management adn finally finding my way back to leadership development and conservation with ESCC. I'm passionate about fighting for justice and equity, which is why ESCC is the perfect home for me. I love backpacking, dancing, activism, laughing, and working hard. My superpowers are empathy and speaking up. I can't wait to share a piece of my heart and places I love dearly with you all while helping you develop as a trail worker, land steward, leader and active member of the community.
Micah Craig
Field Operations Coordinator, Logistics
What’s up friends! My name is Micah and I am a cosmic compilation of Virgo sun, Gemini moon, Aries rising, and overall free spirited Queer human being energy who set out on their very own path into the realm of trail work the summer of 2022, beginning as an introductory Range Crew Member with ESCC and was called back by the mountains for another season in 2023, this time to mentor my very own Range Crew as a Crew Leader with ESCC in the mountains of the Inyo National Forest. Now with another trail-work season closely upon the horizon combined with the never ending need to get myself dirty again, I find myself being drawn back to the wonderful realm of my ESCC family, beyond stoked and ready to continue my own self-development and work diligently to impact others and the lands around us in which we live and work to preserve daily through stewardship and community. As a (forever) student of the earth, ally to ALL, opposed to injustice and inequality, lover of life, appreciator of the weird things, curator of creativity and curiosity, music enthusiast, nature nerd, fellow human being, steward of this wild thing we call earth, (and much much more) I’m grateful for yet another opportunity to pursue my passion in building community through outdoor stewardship with my ESCC family of queers in the woods!
Rentaro Shinohara
Crew Lead
Hi y’all! My name is Rentaro, or Ren (he, they). I am a first generation, queer, and transmasc person of Japanese/Filipinx descent, born and raised in the land of the Tongva, also known as Long Beach, CA. Cooking, writing, music, and nature are some of my love languages, and I do my best to live a life led by community, compassion, protection, and curiosity. I first joined ESCC in 2022, at a time in my life where I was yearning to reconnect with nature and spend more time outdoors, not knowing how I could exist in outdoor spaces when accessibility and safety were concerning barriers. Over the last three summers with ESCC, I have fallen in love with the work, the people, and of course, the many forests I’ve had the honor to call my home. There are so many things I’m excited to share with my crew this summer, but overall it is what I can only describe as the feeling of returning to yourself- through strengthening your connection to the land, your community, and yourself.
Marta Cigalla
Crew Lead
My name is Marta (they/them). I’ve lived in a few places, such as Illinois, North Carolina, and Virginia, but currently call Tucson, AZ home. This will be my third year with ESCC, having completed a WILDlands season in 2023, and a year in leadership in 2024. My outdoor journey began in 2019 when I did a six month season working for Xanterra in Yellowstone NP. I decided I wanted to do more gratifying work which led me to the Arizona Conservation Corps. What landed me at ESCC and kept me here were the incredible connections I made!
In my free time I love to hike, read, play music, make pasta by hand, and write. When hiking you'll probably see me crouched over a plant or flower trying to ID it. I feel passionate about getting people out into the outdoors and practicing environmental stewardship with my community. I feel grateful for the opportunity to help folks challenge themselves, and I'm looking forward to building community with you all!
Josiah Gonzales
Crew Lead
Hey everyone, my name is Josiah Gonzales (he, him). I started my trail season in 2022 with the CCC backcountry trails program and was lucky enough to have my first be Yosemite. I immediately fell in love a trail work and knew once I got out I wanted to lead a trails crew with NPS shortly after finishing my term with the CCC, I joined Escc to get my leadership skills tuned up for a NPS sponsor season. I look forward to meeting and working alongside side everyone this season.
Robin Davenport
Crew Lead
Hi! My name is Robin (they, them) but I also go by Rob. I use all pronouns but most days prefer they/them. I’m beyond excited to come back to ESCC after caretaking for a winter season in the New Hampshire mountains. As a white, non-binary, neurospicy, queer who loves nature, I read ESCC’s mission statement and felt deeply connected, which is what initially brought me here. The realness of people and their love (trust, accountability, inclusion, belonging, communication etc) is what keeps me wanting to come back. If I’m not spending time with loved ones I’m probably horizontal in bed with a book or somewhere outside, rain or shine, smelling the air and trying to name the faintest sounds I can hear. I’m looking forward to creating our own community on the grade and off the grade and I’m excited to share the space, the conversations, the attention, and intentions of this seasons experiences. Also! I’m excited to share dance moves. Whether it’s a toe tap or a full body experience! I look forward to meeting you!!!!!!
Mikael Barrera
Crew Lead
Hello, my name is Mikael (he, they). I'm 26 years old and a Scorpio, this is going to be my third season with ESCC. I've been doing trails for a while now, I started with the CCC in 2019-2020 on a trail crew and we worked in Big Sur on the Pfeiffer falls trail after it had burned some years before. After that I decided to join the Montana Conservation Corps which was quite an experience, there's no way to prepare for the change in outdoors but it's something you can feel. I mostly did logouts which I fell in love with more so than any other from of trail work, and it also cemented my deep and impactful relationship with the outdoors never able to leave it behind even when I took a break I couldn't help but want to come back. I've known about ESCC since before I joined the CCC and started my journey, which is why when I decided I no longer wanted to be away from trails that's where I wanted to go so I applied, and next thing I knew I'm quitting my job and packing up to get back into the mix. It has been a life-changing and impactful choice, that has continued to benefit me in so many ways, both with finding out my identity and what I want in life and also in creating relationship with people who have become my family. I have made bonds that will last the rest of my life, and that is what's so special about ESCC it is a community that nurtures but also pushes, as our motto says, to discover the range of your potential in so many ways. I'm so excited to be a part of this community for another season, and even more excited to Co-Lead a crew I look forward to another incredible season. Also, I love Japanese curry and artificial grape flavoring lol
Ana Mercado
Assistant Crew Lead
Hey, I'm Ana. :) I'm excited to be joining ESCC this season as an assistant lead. I've worked on a trail crews through Wisconsin Conservation Corps, the Backcountry Trails Program, and most recently was on a Womens + chainsaw crew with Colorado Conservation Corps. I've been in and out of the trail world over the years, working in sustainable agriculture, construction, and the trash industry in between. My motivation to assistant lead is to share what I've learned through my experiences, while also learning alongside the crew throughout the season. I believe the outdoors and this kind of work are for everyone who cares about the land and the life inhabiting it, and I'm here to support that sense of belonging on the crew for others (whether it's your first time doing anything like this or you have loads of experience). Some things I enjoy doing are collecting trashy treasures, mending and natural dyeing clothes, and playing the clarinet. I'm looking forward to getting to know and work alongside the crew this season!
Juna Parker
Assistant Crew Lead
I’ve lived in Southern and Central California most of my life, but have spent the past year between Bishop, CA and Tucson, AZ. I’ve done a variety of jobs for the last fifteen years—but spent most of my twenties in a commercial boatyard, operating a fuel dock and always wearing my safety harness. Alongside that, I studied English part-time, and worked as a community college reading and writing tutor. My 2024 ESCC Range season was my introduction to trails, and I fell in love with the work.
My return to ESCC this season is grounded in a commitment to its values. Coming back, I want to learn and share as much as possible, aid in community building, and continue growing as a person.
Lucy Valenzuela
Assistant Crew Lead
My name is Lucy and I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up here, I never gave much attention to my surroundings because it was an everyday view. After spending time to work closely with nature for extensive periods, I learned that it was more than just “outside”. It is life. I see home in a more grateful perspective. I am grateful for home every morning. The best part about this journey, is the people I got to share it with. The community building whilst nurturing nature is the most human we will ever be. I want to continue this stewardship to the land alongside other daring individuals but most importantly, building a safe space together and learn/teach on how to maintain a stable community. A couple reasons brought me to ESCC and ESCC helped me realize a hundred more reasons to live intentionally every day.
Shaileigh Lincoln
Food Manager
weHello, hello! I'm Shaileigh Lincoln (she/her) a Texas native who has lived in many different places and just as many lives. After finding my connection to our planet during my 2017 CCC Backcountry season, I worked as a cook and packer at Rock Creek Pack Station in 2018 & WILDlands crew member in 2019. I've been working at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance as administrative support for sales & revenue since 2023, and am extremely excited to be back with ESCC as the 2025 Logistics Administrator. Talk to me about herbalism, personal development, philosophy, interpersonal communication, and your biggest dreams & goals. I'm excited to learn and grow with you all through the greatest adventures and challenges that may come our way!
Livan Jaramillo
Logistics Administrator
Hi there ! My name is Liván and I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. I will be a Logistics Admin this Summer 2025 season! I'd like to share that I am Yaqui/ Latino and my family still resides throughout the state of Sonora, Mexico and along the Rio Yaqui. I grew up playing in the rio with my cousins that has since become an arroyo that no longer flows throughout the year. Spending the summers with my family in the small town of La Mesa where my great grandparents raised 12 kids and tended farmland was my first exposure to a symbiotic and harmonious life of humans and their environment. I think that the feeling that I get sitting on the porch with family I didn't get to see all the time, taking in the warm desert sun in a place that felt like home, is where my love for the land and the hands that tend to it truly began. It was wanting to emulate this feeling that led me into trail work! I first joined ESCC as a corp member in 2022 and I can vividly remember how anxious/nervous I was at the very beginning! ESCC is an incredible immersive experience and I hope this summer you get the chance to know yourselves better, as well as make connections to your peers and the world around you! I am excited to be supporting you all this year through this role and really look forward to meeting you all and getting to know you!
Our Board of Directors
Marisa Gierlich
Board President
Marisa Gierlich began her career as a travel writer and guide, focusing on culturally and environmentally sustainable tourism. As a leader and Hiring and Training Manager for Backroads Active Travel and as a Coordinating Author for Lonely Planet, she managed and coordinated staff, content, and budgets on a global platform.
Having spent extensive time in the French and Swiss Alps and in her native California’s Sierra Nevada, she has a deep love for mountains and is dedicated to their stewardship. Her current position as a Business Development Executive for a small, restaurant-only financial management company allows her to combine her love of numbers with her passion for people.
Philip Lafollette
Vice President
Philip LaFollette recently retired from over 33 years of service with the California Conservation Corps serving in a variety of positions from Cook to Conservationist I, Project Coordinator, Backcountry Supervisor and Backcountry Program Director. He is a recipient of Salmonid Restoration Federation’s (SRF) Restorationist of the Year Award as well as their Lifetime Achievement Award. He also serves as an advisory member to the Watersheds Stewards Program as well as continuing trail work today.
Adam Somers
Secretary
Adam Somers has over 40 years of extensive nonprofit and corporate management experience. He served as the Executive Director of the PEN Center USA and is a graduate of UC Berkeley. He is an avid backpacker and spends time volunteering with the CCC Backcountry Trails Program.
John Matthew Newman
Treasurer
Matthew Newman was born in Hot Springs National Park and grew up surrounded by woods and water. He earned a Bachelor of Sciences in Accounting from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. While in college, he found a deep love for the outdoors in the Ozark Mountains and surrounding areas. Since graduating, Matt has served for 10 years as Controller for Athena Manufacturing, a 150 employee company in Austin, TX. Matt contributes to the team a wealth of financial knowledge and business experience.
Paul LaMartina
Board Member
Paul LaMartina is an attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area. Paul moved to California in 2010 to attend law school, and decided to stay after falling in love with California’s wilderness. Paul enjoys backpacking, climbing, and skiing throughout California.
Stacy Corless
Board Member
Stacy Corless is a longtime resident of Mammoth Lakes, CA, and serves on the Mono County Board of Supervisors. She has a background in nonprofit management and communications, and has worked to steward and protect wild places in the Eastern Sierra, as well as to create educational programs and opportunities for people to connect with and explore the mountains. One of her best summers in the Sierra was spent updating a backpacking guidebook for Wilderness Press; though she has to go to lots of meetings these days, Stacy gets outside as much as possible to hike, run and ski on the public lands around Mammoth and beyond.
Larissa Fullmer
Board Member
Larissa was born and raised in the Mojave Desert of CA, at 18 years old, she embarked on what would become the greatest adventure of her life by joining the California Conservation Corps in San Luis Obispo. She fell in love with nature, conservation, trails, and community which led her to spend the last decade working on trail crews in various national parks as a National Park Service trail crew member and CCC Crew Supervisor.
In addition to Larissa’s passion for the outdoors, she has gathered further achievements in the field of professional diving, teaching and guiding underwater excursions as a scuba dive master. She has explored, worked, and volunteered around the globe in over 20 different countries. She believes in learning and growing by connecting with other cultures and communities and getting out of your comfort zone.