Abe is the Recreation Program Manager for the Colorado State Land Board, an agency responsible for the management of 2.8 million acres of state trust land. He has a long history working in outdoor recreation, including summer positions with the US Forest Service (Caribou National Forest), the National Park Service (Grand Teton NP and Timpanogos Caves NM), and over a decade with the State Land Board. Abe has a B.S. in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism from the University of Idaho (Moscow) and a Masters in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning from Utah State University (Logan). He was a Co-Chair for the 2013 National Conference of the American Society of Landscape Architects (Denver, CO), and the 2017 National Outdoor Recreation Conference (Rapid City, SD).

Amber brings nearly 20 years of experience in conservation, nonprofit leadership, and collaboration to the PITO Planning Committee. In her role with GOCO, she supports grantees working to protect land, expand outdoor access, and strengthen communities across Colorado. Amber’s background includes land stewardship, grant management, and capacity-building work with organizations like Palmer Land Conservancy, the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative, and Rocky Mountain Field Institute.

A Wisconsin native, Amber came to Colorado for graduate school and quickly made the state her home. She’s passionate about connecting people to the outdoors, supporting community-driven conservation, and making funding processes more accessible. She’s excited to help create an inclusive, impactful conference that celebrates the partnerships making Colorado’s outdoors stronger.

Breanna (Bree) Gonzalez manages the Community Air Protections & Engagement team at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, where she helps ensure the state exceeds the expectations of the Environmental Justice Act for all communities. She also serves as the Policy Chair for Everyone Outdoors Colorado, advocating for equitable and justice-centered access to and influence in public lands, conservation, and recreation. Based in Grand Junction, Bree is a desert enthusiast who loves climbing sandstone cracks, walking along the Colorado River, and building community through her work with Escala, a climbing organization uplifting Latino climbers. Bree is excited to help bring together a variety of voices and stories through the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, and remind folks that we’re more connected than we think when it comes to the places and passions we love.

Brooke’s love of nature stems from growing up on a small farm playing in the woods and gardening with her mom and grandma. Her favorite activities include rafting, camping, trail running and working with plant medicine. Throughout her life, Brooke’s relationship to outdoors spaces has remained at the core of what inspires her. The joy, empowerment, and relationship building that occur naturally through forming deep connections to our natural environment is something all kids and their families should feel safe, comfortable and invited to experience. Throughout her career, Brooke has worked for youth development nonprofits like Solar Youth, Inc., Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and cityWILD which led to her role supporting the My Outdoor Colorado Coalition in their collaborative efforts to reduce barriers and create meaningful outdoor experiences for Denver residents. Brooke has since moved into a Grants Administrator position with the Town of Superior where she works closely with the Town's Parks, Recreation and Open Space and Sustainability Departments to support grant-funded initiatives.

Catie is the Assistant Director of Engagement at the Salazar Center for North American Conservation, where she runs capacity-building programs to support and advance grassroots conservation efforts across the continent and oversees a variety of partnership opportunities. Prior to joining the Center, Catie oversaw the Colorado Water Center’s grantmaking and outreach programs and previously spent nearly a decade in fundraising roles that directly supported conservation research, education, and practice. Catie moved to Fort Collins from Chicago in 2017 to be closer to the mountains and pursue a Master’s degree in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, and in her free time, she can often be found running, camping, and hunting on Colorado’s public lands.

Mr. Schneckenburger currently serves as the Regional Trails and Dispersed Recreation Program Manager for the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States Forest Service in Lakewood, Colorado. Prior to working with the US Forest Service, Chad served as the National Conservation Lands Program Manager for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado State Office. Chad has expertise in natural resource recreation planning and policy, trail planning and design, partnership development, community engagement, and sustainable tourism. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) as Vice President and Treasurer. Mr. Schneckenburger holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Political Science from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina and a Master’s of Science degree in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Courtney Massey (she/her) is a Biologist at Ducks Unlimited, Inc., where she has been focused on wetlands conservation efforts in Colorado for the past two years. In this role, she builds and maintains partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies to support habitat restoration and advance watershed health. Courtney also spearheads innovative programs to educate and engage urban communities on the importance of water and wetlands. Originally from Iowa, she now calls Fort Collins home and continues to grow her roots here in Colorado.

I grew up in Michigan, and at a young age was exposed to the outdoors in a variety of ways. A summer trip with my family out to Rocky Mountain National Park when I was younger cemented my love of the mountains, and subsequent college internships in Virginia and Idaho cemented my desire to work in the outdoors. After graduating from Central Michigan University where I earned my degrees in Outdoor Recreation Management and GIS, I started with CPW in 2011 as a seasonal ranger at Sylvan Lake and Stagecoach. I was hired on full time in 2012, and have worked at Lake Pueblo, Lory, Vega, and now Eleven Mile/Spinney Mountain State Parks. In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my wife while fly fishing, hiking, golfing, playing hockey, and really any activity that gets us outside.

Dani Robben provides leadership, support, facilitation, and project management to several community collaboratives across the San Luis Valley. Dani primarily manages the SLV GO! Coalition, a Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnership, that brings together diverse conservation and recreation stakeholders to guide the sustainable development and maintenance of outdoor recreation opportunities in the San Luis Valley while sustaining the quality and longevity of the region's natural resources. Dani grew up in northern Minnesota and moved to Colorado in 2016 and attended graduate school at Colorado State University where she got her Master's in Conservation Leadership. Dani is skilled in community outreach and engagement, event planning, partner relations, communications and marketing, and outdoor stewardship. She is thrilled to be living full-time in the San Luis Valley and working for an organization that values community partnerships, collaboration, and conservation. In her free time, Dani loves to play outdoors and camp, hike, bike, run, fly-fish, cross country ski, and snowboard.

Foremost, I consider myself a passionate and collaborative environmentalist that looks to creativity and inclusive ideas when problem-solving. Professionally, I serve as the Director of Enterprise Programs at CSU where I work in the nexus of conservation, leadership education, and capacity building. Originally from rural southeastern Oklahoma, I was raised in a farming family that provided my first insights to what it meant to be a steward of the land. Moving to Northern Colorado five years ago, this community has quickly become home to me, and I’ve been able to invest in it through additional roles that include chairing the Natural Resources Advisory Board for the City of Fort Collins and serving as the president of the Board of Directors for Friends of Lory State Park. In my spare time, you can either find me trail running around the foothills, playing a game of adult kickball, or hanging out with my dog and partner at one of the local breweries.

Gabi Morey grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Her early outdoor experiences took her to the creek down the street where she enjoyed quietly sitting and watching garter snakes pop out of the stream bank, as well as visits to natural areas all along the east coast. She received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the College of Wooster in Ohio, and a master’s in Wildlife Biology from Michigan State University where she completed a biodiversity study in northern Minnesota. Since then, she has worked in the field of conservation education for more than 20 years, working within both non-profits and government organizations all over the country. In Colorado she worked for San Juan Mountains Association for 15 years before exploring the landscapes of Montana, working there as the Director of the Montana Audubon Center in Billings. While Montana was beautiful, she and her family missed the spectacular deserts, mountains and people of southwest Colorado, which brought them back to Montezuma County in March, 2022. When she’s not working as the Director of the Montezuma Inspire Coalition, she enjoys hiking, skiing, rafting, mountain biking, and being outside as much as possible with her family.

Hello! My name is Gail (she/her) and I am excited to be working on the Partners Conference for the third year! In a former life I was a corporate accountant, but I have been pursuing a career in natural resources since 2022. Since starting at CPW, I have worked temporary positions with Eldorado Canyon State Park, Barr Lake State Park, the Partnerships team, and the Volunteer team, and now have a full time position working as a Program Assistant to the Northeast Region office. I grew up by the beach in North Carolina, but have been living in Colorado for almost 12 years and love getting out on the trails! I didn't grow up being "outdoorsy", so it's really important to me to create inviting and inclusive spaces in the outdoors to encourage folks to get outdoors in a way that feels fun and approachable.

Hailey is the Eastern Colorado Regional Partnership Coordinator at Colorado Parks & Wildlife. She supports Regional Partnerships Initiative (RPI) coalitions in creating sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities with natural resource conservation and wildlife in mind. Hunting is her favorite form of conservation, right next to educating our next generation of land stewards. Her part-time role at the Cottonwood Institute pulls her from behind a desk to beside k-12 students on a mountain teaching them how to hike, camp and explore the outdoors. When she’s not engaged in education or coalition work, Hailey explores Colorado’s thrift stores and music scene. Catch her at a coffee/book shop near you, sipping a fruity latte and devouring her current fantasy novel.

Jake is a dedicated parks and public lands researcher passionate about understanding people's experiences in the outdoors. Growing up in North Dakota and Minnesota, Jake spent many weekends in the lakes region, hiking, boating, and enjoying time with family. Since 2017, Jake has called Westminster, CO home and currently serves as the COO for RRC Associates, a social science research firm based in Boulder. In his free time, Jake loves hiking in the local community, exploring new parks, and sharing Colorado's great outdoor spaces with his friends and family.

Originally from New Hampshire, John moved to Colorado in 2011 after earning his BS in Outdoor Education. In 2014 John started the Human Potential Running Series, which has grown into Colorado's Largest trail running, and ultramarathon running, series of events. His over 100 events directed is the most by a single race director in Colorado history, and the 2nd most ultramarathons in our Nation's history. John has donated a considerable amount of his time and energy to various initiatives such as The Outside 285 Partnership, as an Executive Committee Member on the Fix CRUS Coalition, and towards personally leading more than 35 volunteer trail work days accounting for over 2,800 volunteer hours to USFS Trails within the state. As an ultramarathon runner himself, John has completed 24 different runs of 100-mile or more.

As the Mountain Parks Coordinator for DPR: Outdoor Recreation, Josh utilizes his B.A.s in Integrative Physiology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from CU Boulder as well as a M.Sc Managing in the Energy Industries from the University of Dundee in Scotland, to develop plans that foster a deep sense of appreciation and love for the outdoors in the Denver community by creating fun and exciting opportunities to adventure out into the mountains, lakes, and deserts, and forests of Colorado. Prior to this new position, Josh had been the Grant Funded Programs Coordinator for the past 4 years and continues to serve on DPR's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team.

My name is Karla and I have been working as the small acreage management specialist for the Front Range region since 2023. A lot of my work involves helping private landowners be good stewards of their land through natural resource conservation and agriculture. My job has taught me so much about wildlife, plants and the relationship of those things with human activity. I enjoy the outdoors the most when I get to bring my dogs along with me on hikes and walks.

Katie has been active in the field of environmental and outdoor learning for over 20 years. Throughout her career, Katie has served as an educator and curriculum developer at organizations ranging from museums to residential outdoor programs in seven different states. She joined CAEE in May 2008 and has since led statewide Environmental Literacy Plan efforts in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Education, served on both the Colorado Academic Standards and Assessment Review Committees, and remains active in advancing environmental education locally and nationally. Katie currently lives in Denver, where she enjoys hiking, getting outdoors with her dog Birdy, and seeing as many musicals as possible.

I have been with CPW off and on for over 20 years. I love what I do and appreciate all the people I work with and for. My greatest passion at this time is my granddaughter, I love spending all my free time with her. I'm trying to be more outgoing and being part of this committee has helped.

Kristen Cannon is the Events and Communications Coordinator for the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA), where she helps foster collaboration across sectors and leads the planning and promotion of events that support the outdoor recreation community in the  Pikes Peak region. As a military spouse, Kristen has lived all over the country, and through each move, she’s found that time spent outdoors is the best way to feel grounded, build community, and explore new landscapes. Now based in Colorado Springs, she brings her creativity, adaptability, and passion for the outdoors to her work with PPORA. In her free time, Kristen enjoys reading, hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing, often with her husband, three kids, and two pups by her side. She’s passionate about making outdoor spaces more accessible, welcoming, and sustainable for everyone.

Liz is the Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative Coordinator at The National Wild Turkey Federation. She earned her B.S. from Colorado State University, where she studied large carnivores across the Western states. She is currently completing her M.S. in Environmental Policy and Management at the University of Denver. Last year, she received the Grossman Scholar award from Volunteers For Outdoor Colorado for her graduate studies. Based in Montrose, Liz enjoys trail running, swimming, cycling, fishing, and hunting in her free time. Over the past six years, she has also been dedicated to training her two vizslas for hunting and competitions nationwide.

Born and raised in Southern California, I became interested in agriculture and the outdoors when I attended UC Davis. After working in the agtech industry for a couple years, I earned my M.Sc in Horticulture from Pennsylvania State University and became more interested in nonprofit and service work.

As a state employee with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, I enjoy serving my community and contributing to the stewardship of this beautiful state! I'm excited to be part of the planning committee for Partners in the Outdoors conference and apply my skills to ensure a successful and smooth conference experience for all attendees. 

In my spare time, I enjoy baking, hiking, and learning more about the wonderful natural resources that this state offers. I'm looking forward to contributing my unique perspectives as a city-dweller, agriculturist, and outdoor enthusiast to this committee and ensuring we meet our conference goals!

Maggie Gaddis is the Executive Director of the Colorado Native Plant Society (CoNPS). Maggie is a restoration ecologist and botany educator. She originally started volunteering for CoNPS as the Southeast chapter chair because she needed more botanists to participate in her citizen science-based research in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. CoNPS members and students from all over the Front Range came down to help her collect data and that is when she knew that her people were in CoNPS. Maggie was hired as the first Executive Director of CoNPS in 2021.

Mike DelliVeneri is an award-winning marketing and communication professional who's found a way to blend his passion for the outdoors with his talent for storytelling. He is currently a Senior Director at GFM|CenterTable, where he works with a variety of outdoor and conservation clients such as Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Beaver Creek, Aspen Institute Project Play and the Trust for Public Lands. Prior to GFM|CenterTable, he managed digital and non-traditional marketing at Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Mike graduated from Regis University with a focus in communications, marketing and photography. When he’s not working, he can be found fly fishing, practicing photography, or skiing and camping with his family.

I am a positive extrovert who loves igniting sparks of curiosity, wonder, and outdoor exploration in people of all ages, especially kids. I have a degree in Wildlife Management from Purdue University and have 15+ experience in environmental education and nature-based programming. I am the Youth Education Coordinator for Colorado Trout Unlimited and I am passionate about increasing outdoor play, accessibility, and cultivating a love of nature. I love spending time with my family, includes my husband Robby and two daughters, Eloise and Lorelei. I am an animal geek at heart and in my free time I enjoy hiking, skiing, SCUBA diving, bird/wildlife watching, and fishing.

I relocated from Chicagoland to Boulder in 1978. I was drawn here by the outdoors and to complete a MS in Human Resources. In retirement, as a member of CFO and BCNA conservation committees, I focus on outdoor education, awareness and conservation advocacy for natural habitats and all species that dwell there. I am excited to be on the planning committee working with others and combining our approaches and efforts for all who love Colorado outdoors.

Samantha joined the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) in 2017. Her work as Deputy Director supports the office’s mission of inspiring industries and communities to thrive in Colorado’s great outdoors. This is accomplished by supporting programming that focuses on economic development & business support, conservation & stewardship, education & workforce training, and public health & wellness. She loves the outdoors and spends her free time participating in a variety of activities, with some of her favorites including hiking, SUPing, and gardening.

Suzanne O'Neill serves as Executive Director of Colorado Wildlife Federation (CWF). Earlier she was a practicing lawyer in the US Department of Justice and in private practice. CWF works effectively to safeguard important wildlife habitats on public lands through advocacy and education, offers the popular Becoming an Outdoors Woman program and actively participates in two of the regional partnerships. Suzanne developed a panel discussion at the 2019 Partners in the Outdoors conference entitled "Balancing Outdoor Recreation and Conservation on Public Lands: A Timely Conversation," a dialogue that remains key as we all shape Colorado's outdoors future.