First Light Field Team
The Field Team includes outdoor experts with an array of professional and personal experience. Wilderness specialists bring expertise in safety, compassion for struggling youth, enthusiasm for utilizing the outdoors as a catalyst for positive change, and are the core of the team. They frequently bring creative use of natural resources to individualized interventions.


Jean Coyle Field Director


Katie Nicholson Field Staff


Sarah Switzer Field Staff


Luke Cottom Field Staff


Jacob Stibbe Field Staff


Henry Thomas Field Staff


Steven Nutt Field Staff


Raquel Leal Field Staff


Maureen Fitzgerald Field Staff


Hanna Brooks Field Staff
Jean Coyle
Position: Field Director
Steven Nutt
Position: Field Staff
Steven Nutt is from the north suburbs of Chicago, Illinois and has a passion for helping all types of people in an outdoor setting. He graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration and a double minor in communication and outdoor leadership. Steve has worked in the outdoor industry for seven years with experience in guiding wilderness expeditions, directing outdoor recreation program for at-risk youth and people with developmental disabilities as well as after school programs and summer camps. In his off time, Steve loves to canoe, kayak, car camp, travel and find live music.
Raquel Leal
Position: Field Staff
Raquel Leal is an outdoor enthusiast and has been in the recreation industry since 2015. She enjoys helping people of all ability levels and providing exposure to the outdoors. She has been passionate about inclusion ever since her first summer camp counselor/care giver position at Camp Red Leaf. After completing her bachelor’s degree at Western Illinois University in RPTA (Recreation, Parks and Tourism), she has been looking for ways to help introduce the wilderness to others that haven’t had the accessibility to it. She enjoys canoeing, kayaking, and hiking as leisure activities. She also has a love for all animals and hope to adopt a dog one day!
Maureen Fitzgerald
Position: Field Staff
Maureen Fitzgerald is a strong woman who believes the benefits of nature can provide growth and development in all aspects of our everyday lives. Nature/wilderness have provided her with so much patience, love, kindness and compassion that she feels determined to keep that fire burning! Maureen loves cooking, horses, and playing music. Maureen’s motto: let’s make this world a better place with one person at a time!
Hanna Brooks
Position: Field Staff
Hanna Brooks grew up in North Caroline and spent several years majoring in psychology from UNC and exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most recently, Hanna pursued environmental education/trail stewardship in Massachusetts and wilderness therapy at NVW Northwoods. What draws her into the field of wilderness therapy is utilizing empathy and supporting youth along their therapeutic journeys in a calm wilderness setting. In her spare time, you’ll find Hanna hiking, jamming to music, drawing, and spending quality time with friends.