A volunteer-run, community-based nonprofit serving women+ in Virginia and beyond.
Mission
To educate, connect, and empower women+ in Virginia to grow and heal their minds, bodies, and souls—both on the trail or off.
Board of Directors
Aleia Ringel
DEI Director
Alejandra Auger
Outreach Director
Caroline Helmers
Ambassador Director
Carolyn Mollen
Treasurer
Heather Meixler
Trailblazer Director
Jenn Loving Wade
President
Kayla Yurco
Board Member At Large
Lori Lawson-Dischner
Communications Director
Tasha McKelvey
Programming Director
Valerie Cowan
Vice President
Vittoria Doyle
Summit Director
Ambassador Team
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Holly Clary
Lori Endicott
Shaleigh Howells
Stephanie Whitesides
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Jennifer Brazenos
Juliann Silver-Thrasher
Kristie Dombroski
Megan Connolley
Melissa Rosen
Molly McFadden
Rebekah George
Sarah Virginia McLane
Shanese Babcock
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Amy Settle
Vicki McKinnon
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Alishia Pretlow
Carie Hooker
Ivonne Rivera Luchs
Karen Kinsey
Katie Cole
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Carson Farthing
Emily Mevers
Jess Thornton
Kate Osborne
Liz Sagers
Rebbecca Jackson
Kate Osborne
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Ann Beale
Becca Childress
Courtney Sarik
Delilah Steinbach
Donnita Butler
Emily Gorrivan
Erin Gifford
Gina Torres
Irene Vollbrecht
Joy Gitter
Lily Theisen
Meagan Shreve
Patricia Pacheco
Rachael Kahelin
Rahima Ullah
Shaneice King
Tracey Sams
Trisha Edwards
Lisa Schrenk
Negin Hesamzadeh
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Emily Lantz
Jennifer Adamy
Jessica Wilkeson
Karen Clark
Megan Cullip
Shyla Schmitz
Patricia Hays
Valerie Washington
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Alicia Washburn
Christy Bennett Hall
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Candice Humphrey
Girls Who Hike Virginia began as a Facebook group, revived by Stephanie Whitesides to create a welcoming space where women+ could find hiking buddies, ask questions, and share our love of the outdoors. Within months, the group grew rapidly as more hikers found a sense of belonging and adventure in the outdoors.
In 2022, a team of women formally established GWHVA as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. What began as a grassroots effort is now a statewide community of 31,000+ hikers committed to making the outdoors more inclusive, accessible, and empowering.
Today, we’re a fully volunteer-run organization connecting women+ with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to confidently enjoy the outdoors—whether they’re taking their first hike or leading others up the trail.
Our Story
