Winona Hapgood B.S.
Experiential Services Specialist
Winona has always been passionate about helping others in the outdoors. She grew up camping and hiking with her family in her home state of Maine before leaving the state to pursue a bachelor of science degree in Exercise Physiology and a bachelor of arts in Hispanic Studies at University. During her time in college, Winona spent a semester abroad in Ecuador where she…
Emily Fritz MS, CTRS
Admissions and Marketing Associate
Emily is an Iowa native that now calls the Northwoods of Wisconsin home. As an undergraduate, Emily double majored in Exercise Science and Human Performance and Fitness, then went on to pursue her Masters in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. Emily fell in love with working outside during graduate…
David Puhl, BS
Program Director
David is a Wisconsin native, born and raised in Oshkosh, WI. Nature and the outdoors have always been a part of David’s life and have helped shape him as a person. David initially went to college for Biology but quickly realized that his passion was in the outdoors and facilitating growth for individuals. David then graduated with a…
Ben Koch, MSc
Operations Director
Ben’s interest in working and teaching outdoors began while studying at University. During his undergraduate years, he became involved with the Hoofers Outing club and spent his summers in the outdoors, first working with young kids at local summer camps and then leading international trips for high schoolers in Fiji, Switzerland and Tanzania. After graduating…
Dr. Ryan Paterson MD, DIMM, DTM&H
Medical Director
Ryan Paterson attended the University of Vermont School of Medicine and completed his Emergency Medicine Residency and Fellowship in Wilderness/Altitude/Expedition Medicine at Denver Health Medical Center/the University of Colorado. He also holds advanced certifications in Tropical Medicine from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) and in Mountain Medicine (DiMM). He is a…
Summer Hornbeck MAT
Admissions Director
Summer earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching through Cardinal Stritch University and a BA from the University of Colorado in Environmental Studies. Over the past 20 years, Summer has devoted herself to helping students in both traditional and therapeutic settings embrace their ability to thrive regardless of their circumstances. Her career has led her…
Kaci Sapinski
Executive Director - NVW Northwoods
After graduating from University Kaci worked in health care for 15 years in Emergency Medicine and Cardiology. As her two sons entered High School, she began looking for a deeper connection to the service industry. Honored to be part of the development of a new University collaborative program, Kaci continued her education in Community Health…
Steve Sawyer, LCSW CSAC
Senior Clinical Consultant and Co-Founder
Steve Sawyer is a licensed psychotherapist filled with passion and knowledge surrounding the intervention and change process. His experience comes from over a decade of intervention with tough-to-reach client populations in therapy settings ranging from residential, community-based, outpatient and wilderness therapy. Steve currently serves on the board of The National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping…
Olivia Akana
Customer Engagement Coordinator
Olivia was born and raised in the small town of Yreka, CA, in the mountains of far-Northern California & Southern Oregon, locally known as the State of Jefferson. She grew up backpacking with her family, riding horses, white water rafting, playing volleyball, and performing in local musical theater. Olivia studied at Oregon State University in…
Aimée Seaborne
Medication Coordinator
Hailing from a small island known as the United Kingdom, Aimée has a natural affinity with the Oregon climate and weather patterns. Raised in the City of Winchester, Aimée was exposed to the joys of being outside early on with miles and miles of countryside to explore, trees to climb with family and friends. Aimée…