Read about our 2025 Summer Instructors, here.
Alonso Santos-Gonzalez
he/him
Program Coordinator
Central Valley
alonso [at] adventureriskchallenge.org
Alonso Santos-Gonzalez was born and raised in Fresno, CA and has been traveling and working in the conservation corps field for the past 4 years. He has led crews through the Mojave Desert and spent 5 months in the backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park, where he learned trail building, backpacking and wilderness living skills. Alonso completed his first summer with ARC as an instructor in 2023, continued as Program Facilitator, and now serves as a Program Coordinator in the Central Valley. Alonso enjoys spending time outdoors, playing guitar and being with family and friends. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelors of Science in Conservation and Resource Studies with an emphasis on Water Resource Management and acquired his Wilderness First Responder Certification in 2023 through NOLS.
Gilian Meyers
she/her
Program Facilitator
Tahoe
gilian [at] adventureriskchallenge.org
Gilian (sounds like fish “gill” ) has taught a variety of subjects in nature-based K-8 schools, completed high alpine trail construction in the western Rocky Mountains, led a youth conservation crew on projects in and around Plumas National Forest, and worked as an English teacher in Spain. Gilian returned home to continue learning and exploring in the Sierras in 2024, joining ARC as a Summer Instructor and continuing on as a Program Facilitator in Tahoe. Gilian holds a Bachelors of Science in Society and Environment from the University of California – Berkeley, and is a certified NOLS Wilderness First Responder. Gilian loves to sing, cook and throw long, lazy dinner parties with friends and family. Favorite poems of hers include Kobayashi Issa’s “Cherry Blossoms” and “i thank you god for most this amazing…” by e.e. cummings.
Jesus Alejandre
he/him
Academic Year Program Manager
Central Valley
jesus [at] adventureriskchallenge.org
Jesus is a graduate of ARC’s summer course in Yosemite in 2012. Since then, he has served as an ARC intern, summer instructor, Bilingual Outreach Coordinator, and more. Jesus is passionate about empowering youth in his community. He finds motivation and fulfillment from the success stories of the many students that have participated in the program. He believes that all individuals can learn and grow together with support and compassion. Jesus likes reading comic books, especially MAUS by Art Spiegelman which he appreciates for its story of bravery and hope.
Jorge Mendoza
he/him/el
Senior Manager of Human Resources and Operations
jorge [at] adventureriskchallenge.org
Jorge’s passion for the outdoors began in 2007 when he attended his first outdoor leadership program in the Sequoia National Forest. Since then, he has worked in roles such as Program Director, Operations Manager, and Outdoor Educator for organizations such as the Pali Institute, Big City Mountaineers, and EarthCorps. Jorge earned his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Redlands, is a NOLS instructor, and holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Master Educator and AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide. In his spare time, Jorge can be found on the trails with his dog, mentoring Aspiring BIPOC mountain guides, perusing the short stories in Love After the End by Joshua Whitehead, or catching up on The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo.
Maddie Leh
she/her
Academic Year Program Manager
Tahoe
maddie [at] adventureriskchallenge.org
Maddie joined the ARC year-round staff in 2022 after serving as a summer instructor for two years. Prior to joining ARC’s team, she worked as an environmental educator in programs for youth in North Carolina and Colorado. She earned a Bachelor’s in sociology and anthropology from St. Olaf College and a Master’s in nonprofit management from Regis University. In her free time, Maddie loves to explore through trail running, hiking, and backpacking; enjoys sewing, water coloring cards, and pie-baking; and keeps her commitment to lifelong learning by reading (especially nonfiction!) and conversing with friends, colleagues, and students. Wendell Berry’s poetry has been particularly influential in her connection with nature.
Mel Hoffman
she/her
Program Director
mel [at] adventureriskchallenge.org
Mel joined ARC in the summer of 2010 after nearly a decade at outdoor education programs around the U.S. At ARC, Mel has held the roles of Science Instructor, English instructor, Course Director, and Program Manager, and she has also revised and updated many aspects of the ARC curricula over the years. Mel loves sharing her passion for nature and helping people feel comfortable in new environments. She enjoys reading the words of our talented ARC students, as well as the poetry of Mary Oliver and Joy Harjo.
Melany Ricardo
she/they
Program Coordinator
Central Valley
melany [at] adventureriskchallenge.org
Melany is ARC’s Central Valley Program Coordinator in Firebaugh and Dos Palos. She was an ARC 2016 summer graduate and attended retreats after graduating. Melany was born in Guatemala and moved to the US when she was 4, and has always dreamed of becoming an art teacher. She is currently a full-time student, and in her free time, she loves to draw, sew, and read fictional pieces of literature. One of Melany’s favorite art pieces is Among the Sierra Nevadas by Albert Bierstadt, and one of her favorite books is Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz.
Sarah Cupery Ottley
she/her
Interim Executive Director and Director of Development & Finance
sarah [at] adventureriskchallenge.org
Sarah served as ARC’s Executive Director from 2013 to 2021. In 2021, she began co-directing the organization with Will. Sarah joined ARC in 2009 to open a new program site in Yosemite and and has since served in multiple roles, including Course Director, Outreach Coordinator, and Program Director. Sarah began her career in environmental education working at national parks in Arizona, Alaska and California. She enjoys many outdoor activities, especially backpacking, rock climbing, and gardening. Sarah is a fan of the environmentally conscious writing of David James Duncan and Terry Tempest Williams. Sarah and partner Graham Ottley have two children, Owen and Eleanor.
Valerie Soto
she/her/ella
Communications Coordinator
valerie [at] adventureriskchallenge.org
Valerie joined the ARC team late fall of 2022. In 2017, Val received her B.S. in Recreation Administration from Fresno State University and has worked with different communities in both Fresno and Tulare Counties to develop recreational programs for the youth. She has also worked with other non-profit organizations coordinating fundraising events and marketing strategies. In her spare time, Valerie enjoys guiding local hikes in both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and finds pleasure through hiking, backpacking, photography and swimming. Valerie admires the vulnerability and courage that ARC youth display and she is motivated to have more youth tell their personal stories. Valerie has been influenced by her favorite author and podcaster, Brené Brown.
