Our Team

Senior Operations Field Coordinator

I joined Outdoor Outreach as an Adventure Club participant at El Cajon Valley High School. I believe that the experiences I’ve had outdoors and the opportunity to learn about the environment has changed my life. Through my time in the Adventure Club, I realized my passion for the outdoors, and my desire to share this passion with others. Following graduation from high school, I served as a volunteer for Outdoor Outreach, and soon joined the team as an Adventure Club Assistant and OO instructor.

What I love about Outdoor Outreach’s impact on the community is the courage that students build up throughout their time with us. I was a student myself and a very shy one at that but Outdoor Outreach helped me open up to people and gave me the courage to do incredible things that I never imagined myself doing.

Operations Assistant Manager

Throughout my life, my work has been to uplift the voices of those most harmed by white supremacy and colonialism.

I received my Masters in Peace and Justice from the University of San Diego in 2019. During that time, I did peacebuilding work in Culiacan, Mexico, interned with the United Nations Association, and studied nonprofits in Guatemala.

Prior to joining OO, I worked as a grassroots organizer with SAY San Diego. My passion for the outdoors stems from an internal drive to connect kindly with myself, my ancestors, and earth as frequently as possible. My favorite ways to engage in the outdoors are rock climbing, watching the ocean, and swimming. As the Operations Assistant Manager, I build relationships with our field instructors, develop and implement training, contribute to risk management, and collaborate within the org to improve our programs. My work is rooted in decolonization and creating equitable spaces. You’ll find me doing this through building deep and meaningful relationships with those I work with. I love that OO has been a leader in this work for so long and am grateful to be a part of the team.

Director of Development

Prior to joining OO, I held several roles in the nonprofit sector with different organizations including the Burn Institute, Girl Scouts San Diego, and Kula for Karma. I’m a Jersey girl turned San Diegan who is a graduate of the Masters in Nonprofit Management & Leadership program at the University of San Diego. I am also a yoga teacher, leadership & mindfulness coach and a board member of Young Nonprofit Professional Network San Diego (YNPN-sd).

On a typical day, you can catch me meditating, enjoying the beach in some capacity, or helping members of my community become more mindful leaders. I support Outdoor Outreach in fulfilling its mission by continuing to share the organization’s story with others who may want to help and get involved. The best part of my job as Grants Manager is seeing grant dollars being put into action!

What I love most about Outdoor Outreach is that the mission is not just about getting youth outdoors. It’s also about exposing youth to the power of community, and using community to help youth build sustainable and healthy relationships. I also love that youth are empowered to exercise their natural leadership styles!

loretta.turner@outdooroutreach.org

Operations Manager

Prior coming to OO, I was a staff research associate at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. I worked in a quality control CO2 lab as an analytical chemist and was involved in hydrographic cruises around the world. I also co-founded Latino Outdoors – San Diego (LOSD), the Center for Interdisciplinary Environmental Justice (CIEJ) and am part of the San Diego Mountain Rescue Team (SDMRT). Some fun facts about me are that I love music! I like to geek out on finding new music. I love to play music and accidentally collect different instruments, and can typically pick up any instrument and learn how to play it.

As the Operations Manager, I help by supporting the operations team in its efforts by providing logistical support to ensure OO’s programming happens, trainings, oversee risk management practices, thought partnership for vision and direction of operations, building relationships with our field instructors to address the needs and concerns they have in performing their duties. Oh, and occasionally, I get to recreate for a living!

I love that Outdoor Outreach’s impact in the community revolves around equity by focusing its efforts in low-income, diverse communities: which are very similar to the communities I grew up in. The best part of my job is the team, the environment they create, and their supporting energy!

manuel.belmonte@outdooroutreach.org

Senior Director of Programs

As the Senior Director of Programs, I support the overall growth and management of programs and ensure that everyone has the resources they need for successful program development and diversity.

So many young students in our community have not noticed the world of adventures here in their own San Diego backyard. I love getting the chance to show them the amazing parts of this city and even this state. The best part of my job are the connections and opportunities to mentor the students and staff we work with. I have been working for nearly a decade in the outdoor rec’ and non-profit world. I started with Outdoor Outreach in 2011 as an intern and have worn many hats with Outdoor Outreach since.

Fun Fact: before joining the Outdoor Outreach team I was among many things; a professional clown, Park Ranger for the National Park Service, Environmental Science Teacher, International Service Group Guide, Trail Crew Leader, and Adventure Camp Director

matt.smith@outdooroutreach.org

Youth Programs Coordinator

Before joining Outdoor Outreach I worked in the outdoor industry for 7 years, starting out as a gear outfitter then eventually working as a hiking and climbing guide. I enjoyed sharing my experience and passion for the outdoors with others.

I love Outdoor Outreach’s mission because the outdoor experience is truly a transformative one that all young people deserve to enjoy, regardless of their background or circumstances. I was eager to become part of the Outdoor Outreach team as a Youth Programs Assistant Coordinator to seek out the people and communities who stand to benefit the most from experiencing the sublime beauty and serenity that comes with recreating outside, designing programs that create confidence and fulfillment for youth.

When I’m not working in the office or in the field, I can be found looking for inspiration while rock climbing, cooking, stargazing or writing fiction–and you might occasionally hear me outside, from a distance, singing a sea shanty or three.

Senior Director of Finance & Administration

I grew up hiking, biking, and kayaking in the outdoors of my home town in Pennsylvania. My love of outdoor recreation inspired my career path to provide similar opportunities for youth. I spent 5 years in Chicago working in various programmatic and administrative roles at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. In the past, I have also worked with outdoor recreation programs; starting as a camp counselor throughout my college years before becoming a full-time manager at the YMCA in 2006.

As the Senior Director of Finance and Administration, I help our program and development teams  focus on their important work by supporting the organization’s financial, HR and administrative needs.

What I love about Outdoor Outreach the most is the people. Whether it’s the Leadership Program students, instructors, office staff or participants, everyone brings a passion and energy for the work we do, making it easy and enjoyable to come to the office each day! I believe that we actively promote the heart and soul of San Diego, working to share outdoor experiences with everyone, not just those who have easy access.

molly.morelli@outdooroutreach.org

Youth Program Coordinator

As a Youth Programs Coordinator I’m often the one the connects our community partners with the programming we offer at Outdoor Outreach. This means I communicate regularly with our partners and instructors to make sure everyone can have a great trip.

I love working with Outdoor Outreach because of our commitment to making infrastructural change in our organization and in our local community. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience nature and all that it has to offer. My favorite way to do this is to get in the water, either snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, or paddle boarding!

nicole.morris@outdooroutreach.org

Youth Program Coordinator

In my role as the Youth Programs Coordinator, I have the opportunity to work with community partners and develop programs that are unique to the youth and their experiences. What excites me the most about being part of Outdoor Outreach is being able to support youth in finding their voice and challenging themselves, whether it’s through learning a new skill or finding out something about themselves.

Throughout my 7+ years in the informal and environmental education field, I have had the honor of providing youth and adults with the chance to build connection with nature, while inspiring them to be environmental stewards. I am currently working towards an M.A. in Biology, which has led me on adventures to Belize and Namibia. Through my studies, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from people who are advocating for independence, accessibility to resources, and wildlife conservation. I’m grateful to have these chances to learn and be able to apply it to my work with Outdoor Outreach. Just as I encourage youth to approach challenges by choice, I try to challenge myself by learning a new skill and traveling somewhere new every season- you never know what you might discover!

ramona.wallace@outdooroutreach.org

Human Resources Manager

Prior to joining OO, I worked in hospitality as a Human Resources Generalist for a large hotel company. I’ve held many jobs within the hospitality industry, but I am most passionate about working in Human Resources. What I enjoyed most about my previous job is getting to work with so many different people. OO is my first job in both the non-profit and outdoor recreation space. I am very excited to now be a part of both!

I fully believe in Outdoor Outreach’s mission to help transform the lives of young people with the positive experiences and connections made in the outdoors. As a Human Resources Manager, I assist the organization in recruitment, staff training, and development, as well as provide support to staff with the navigation of HR policies and processes. What I like most about working in HR is helping others to reach their full potential while helping the organization fulfill their mission. In my free time, I enjoy long-distance and trail running, hiking, camping, and backpacking.

salina.sanchez@outdooroutreach.org

Leadership Program Coordinator

Prior to joining OO, I was in High school working with volunteers across San Diego County. I was the president of a student-run organization at The O’Farrell Charter Schools. I also was working as a student aid at the same school. A fun fact about me is that I am the fourth Santos in my family. I am proudly Samoan and love to be in the ocean, desperately wishing I could speak with sea turtles. Outside of work I enjoy playing some card games with my family and friends.

As an instructor, I am side by side with other instructors directing the youths we serve to challenge themselves to their comfort, with all the activities and programs we offer.

What I love most about Outdoor Outreach is the way that we provide youth with an environment that feels welcoming and supportive – a place where they can truly be themselves. I love working face to face with young men and women. Seeing their faces light up when they’ve had their epiphanies, or when they are proud of achieving their goal for that day; that makes my day.

santos.plaza@outdooroutreach.org

Public Policy Manager

As the Public Policy Manager, I support all of Outdoor Outreach’s advocacy work at the local, state, and federal levels to further outdoor equity and environmental justice. Through advocacy, I influence policies that directly impact Outdoor Outreach’s operations and the communities in which our youth participants live.

A typical day for me would consist of developing our policy priorities, educating elected officials on the issues that affect our work in the community, and working with our coalition partners on campaigns impacting equitable access to outdoor spaces, workforce training, and local park development and conservation. A big part of my job is providing trainings and opportunities for our youth to use their voices and lived experiences to effect policy change through our Outdoor Voices initiative.

What I love about Outdoor Outreach is that the impact and reach it has in the community. Our youth participants remain connected and over half of our staff were former youth participants or have experienced some part of our programs.

My favorite outdoor activities are trail running, hiking, backcountry camping, and biking.

sonia.diaz@outdooroutreach.org

Youth Programs Manager

As the Youth Programs Manager, my role is to keep our programs functioning smoothly. On a typical day, I take care of administrative duties in the office and then go out in the field to lead a trip with students. The best part of my job is exposing youth to outdoor activities and places for the first time, and watching them be transformed through these experiences. I love seeing how it brightens their day and gives them joy; for some, it can be a life-changing event. All in all, to spread positivity is the most rewarding feeling ever. I love that OO introduces the kids to their own backyard.  Through these amazing sights and activities, the students are able to feel connected to their surroundings and each other.  It cultivates a culture of care, respect and responsibility for the community.

After graduating from UCSC with a double major in Sociology and Wilderness Therapy, I worked with several youth organizations, leading adventure activities, backpacking trips and challenge courses. I have always been involved in some form of education and instruction with youth. I have been with OO for about 9 years now.

When I’m not working, I try to play metal songs on my ukulele. My other passions include spending quality time with friends and family, surfing, rock climbing, and playing disc golf.

sunny.chang@outdooroutreach.org

Operations Field Coordinator

As Operations Field Coordinator I facilitate a wide variety of outcome-focused and meaningful adventures with our youth programs. I also provide support to the Operations team in Field Instructor development with training, evaluations and program logistics. On a typical day, I am in the field leading a group of instructors, overseeing group management, mitigating risks and ensuring our programs run smooth and that we provide youth with the best experience possible.

What I love about our impact is the ripple effect it can create throughout the community. Many of the youth we work with take what they have learned and share it with others. Whether that be knowledge of the nearest beach or hiking trail, or the mindset to leave no trace on a daily basis. I believe this is one of the more powerful examples of our impact. My favorite way to spend time outdoors is on a board, preferably in the snow. My love for the snow started in 2014 after being sponsored for NOLS split boarding course through our leadership program. I have been chasing pow ever since!

vincent.culliver@outdooroutreach.org

Youth Programs Assistant Manager

Before joining Outdoor Outreach, I was a K-12 caseworker for Catholic Charities’ Refugee Resettlement in Chicago. On weekends, I volunteered with the Refugee Education and Adventure Challenge (REACH), a non-profit that engaged refugee youth through outdoor activities like hiking and climbing. I have been working in the non-profit sector for just over two years and I also speak a little of both Arabic And Spanish!

What I love most about Outdoor Outreach is that we building relationships with the youth and get to see them grow and challenge themselves in new ways. I love being able to foster a sense of empowerment in the youth we work with, as well as ownership of the world around them!

zach.moeller@outdooroutreach.org

As a field instructor, it is my responsibility to help youth build their knowledge and confidence by teaching them how to safely perform outdoor based activities. I love how Outdoor Outreach provides an opportunity to challenge youth in our community, watch them grow and see them acknowledge what they are capable of. My favorite way to spend time outdoors is backpacking because I get to enjoy the beautiful nature our world has to offer and disconnect from technology.

Field Instructor

I am a Field Instructor at Outdoor Outreach. I help lead trips to help the youth be able to experience the outdoors. I love that Outdoor Outreach impact’s the community by encouraging the youth to be more connected to the outdoors. My favorite way to spend time outdoors is to see the ocean waves crash.

Field Instructor

As a field instructor, I help introduce kids to outdoor activities such as climbing, hiking, kayaking, surfing, mountain biking, camping, and more because these trips help participants discover new potential passions!

I appreciate that Outdoor Outreach provides opportunities to participants that they might not have had otherwise so that the youth of San Diego county can learn to love and live an active lifestyle in nature and make meaningful connections with their peers while doing so.

My favorite outdoor activity is swimming because I’ve always lived by the water and enjoyed the peaceful space it provides. Camping because I get to enjoy my favorite people and cook tasty food in cooler places. Finally, I especially love climbing with friends because climbers seem to create the most welcoming and intellectually benevolent communities I’ve had the pleasure to be a part of.

Field Instructor

As a Field Instructor at OO, I work helping set up and execute activities and trips planned by our coordinators. I will work with participants, leading and learning with them through games, activities and lessons. Our responsibilities vary from trip to trip, we do everything from set up gear to making lunch, but I think the interpersonal communication and connection is the most important.

I love that as an organization, OO makes so much effort made to ensure that adolescents are safe to explore the world and themselves while with us. It’s important for adults to provide foundational examples of communication, curiosity, resilience and compassion for younger generations to both feel comfortable with and learn from. I also think that it’s important for all people to have access and connection with the natural world around them, and OO makes that accessible for youth with limited means of doing so themselves. My favorite ways to spend time outdoors in by the water. Whether it’s hiking to a waterfall, relaxing on the beach, paddling a lake or any other thing you could think of, water is always my favorite because of the diversity of life that lives in and around it.

My love of nature comes from my family. With us all living in different states, we would often get together at national parks for camping. One uncle was a botanist and would excitedly talk about native flora and fauna on hikes, the other was an adventurer always catching critters for us kids to hold, my grandma would enjoy teaching us camp cooking, my grandpa taught us fishing. My mom was the resident nurse, and fellow water lover, but most importantly the person who taught me the importance of seeking out nature in daily practices like gardening and mindful observation.

Youth Programs Assistant

As a Youth Program Assistant, I work with my coordinators to plan Outdoor Outreach trips and support my fellow co-workers.

I’ve become so passionate about helping Outdoor Outreach fulfill its mission, and I do this by making sure our instructors and co-workers have everything they need before going on a trip. I organize lesson plans and make sure every student is able to participate! One thing I love about Outdoor Outreach’s impact on the community is how they’ve inspired many students, including me, to get out there. The memories we make here are definitely going to be something I’ll always look back at in the future.

I have only recently started spending my time outdoors ever since I was part of Outdoor Outreach’s 2022 Summer Leadership Program. Before that, I was always afraid to take risks and put myself out there, but because of Outdoor Outreach, I started going on more hikes and I’ve gone to the beach to go snorkeling!

Fun Fact: Besides doing outdoor activities, I also love to play the drums, and I’m part of a band!

Field Instructor

As a Field Instructor at Outdoor Outreach, I am passionate about creating space and increasing accessibility to the outdoors for everyone. I believe that connecting youth to the outdoors can be life-changing just as it has been for my personal journey.Noel (She/Her)

I love that Outdoor Outreach supports youth by building their confidence through learning new skills, challenging themselves, and raising self-awareness. I would like to inspire youth to develop a relationship with the outdoors and experience the transformative qualities that nature has to offer.

I have a Bachelors degree in Sociology and have worked in the non-profit sector since 2018. I’m thankful to be a part of this amazing team and am looking forward to many adventures ahead!

Field Instructor

As a field instructor, I assist in the awesome trips OO are able to run. I am fortunate to work with some of the fantastic youth of San Diego helping facilitate different outdoor and team-building activities!

I was born and raised in San Diego and became someone constantly drawn to the outdoors and the preserved spaces throughout the county at a young age! While working with OO, I am able to connect youth with these sacred spaces that are in our own backyard. I am honored to have the ability of leading trips with youth who are able to connect with the natural environment we live around simultaneously learning new skills and becoming proficient at a new outdoor activity.

Before joining Outdoor Outreach I was a professional cyclist. I was able to travel to and race in 10 different counties over a handful of years! I was able to use the bicycle as a vessel to travel and experience different cultures, people, and natural environments. I’ve worked in and around the bike industry for nearly a decade. I am always excited to go on a mountain bike ride and you can most likely find me pedaling around somewhere scenic on a day off.

Field Instructor

I was a participant in Outdoor Outreach when I was younger and it’s what got me and eventually my family into exploring the outdoors. Starting out as a participant in the Barrio Logan College Institute programs, I eventually was told about the opportunity for the leadership program and ended up graduating from the program to become a field instructor.

Starting as a field instructor while still in high school I ended up finding myself occasionally working with participants that were my age or even a little older, but that just meant I get to make close connections with many of our participants and enjoy being a guide for youth who often don’t get the opportunity to spend time outdoors.

I enjoy working as a field instructor because I see myself in a lot of the youth I get to work with, and so really love to spread a little bit of the knowledge I’ve gotten from being at Outdoor Outreach.

Field Instructor

I love working with youth and combining my work with my passion for the outdoors! I hope to provide memorable experiences that will spark a love for our environment in others.

Instructor

I have a degree in Film and have been working on personal projects. I have volunteered for non-profits for over five years. I love how Outdoor Outreach is able to give access to under-represented communities. I love the outdoors and have lots of hobbies in outdoor recreation. My main focus has been rock climbing and learning everything with the hopes of doing big wall one day. The best part of my job is being a part of an organization I truly believe in and support, while also being outdoors! I love rock climbing and my life has revolved around the lifestyle it comes with.

Field Instructor