Lexie Gritlefeld has worked for California Outdoor Recreation Partnership since December 2019 and stepped into the Director role in January 2023. Lexie primarily works on advocacy communication strategies, membership recruitment and retention, and our policy and industry networking events. Lexie came to the outdoor industry after working in politics, government, and public affairs. While working in politics, Lexie discovered a passion for outdoor recreation and conservation policy and is very stoked to work on CORP's advocacy campaigns. Lexie is a graduate of University of California, Davis with a degree in Political Science and English and a minor in International & Global Studies. After hours, Lexie is passionate about alpine and backcountry skiing, trail running, and rock climbing.
Yvonne Leow is the CEO of Bewilder, an outdoor education company based in Los Angeles. Yvonne has been Chair of California Outdoor Recreation Partnership since January 2026. She also serves as an advisory board member for Outdoor Recreation Roundtable's Together Outdoors Initiative. In 2022, she participated in REI's inaugural Embark program for outdoor founders of color. In a previous chapter, she was an editor at The Associated Press, Vox.com, and the former president of the Asian American Journalists Association.
Cassandra Prenn-Vasilakis began her career in wilderness restoration and political organizing, and has worked as an outdoor guide and educator in California, Minnesota, and Vermont. She is currently the Senior Manager for Government and Community Relations at Hipcamp, a California-based company that partners with rural communities and private landowners to fund conservation with outdoor recreation, drive economic development, and expand access to the outdoors. Cassandra has served as Secretary of California Outdoor Recreation Partnership since January 2025.
Danica Carey is the Director of Marketing Operations at Seirus Innovative Accessories, a family run company based in San Diego manufacturing cold weather protection for your head, hands and feet. In this role she has helped the brand develop and launch products that bring technical gear to any type of outdoor enthusiast. Danica has served as Treasurer of California Outdoor Recreation Partnership since January 2025. Her lifetime in the outdoors has been mirrored by a longstanding passion for traditional sports which took her to the University of Nebraska for her collegiate soccer career. Having always been a sports & outdoor enthusiast, she continues to pursue that passion through soccer, ranching, skiing and just about everything in between.
Kenji Haroutunian is Vice Chair of California Outdoor Recreation Partnership and an independent agent for change focused on events and the great outdoors experience. Kenji's acumen for business comes from 33 years in outdoor org management and teaching outdoor skills (including advanced climbing and wilderness navigation courses) during/after completing his Geography/Environmental Policy degree at UCLA. In 1999 he began working for Outdoor Retailer, building an authentic brand story and growing the business into one of the premier b2b shows in the world. In 2011 he was elevated to Vice President for Nielsen Expo, directing the Outdoor Sports group. Kenji has spearheaded industry-focused programs, like FundSource OR, the Project OR design competition, Green Steps, The OR Virtual Design Center, Backcountry Base Camp, and the Business of Backcountry Forums, all of which help attract core athletes, media and designers to the show and adds to the bottom line. A 2010 Access Fund 'Sharp End' awardee, Kenji serves on the Board of Directors of the Access Fund, is President Emeritus of the Friends Of Joshua Tree and is a founding director of TeccSociety, an events-industry technology organization.
Scott Ammons is the Director of Recreation at the Catalina Conservancy, where he leads and manages the Conservancy's visitor centers and recreation hubs and curate retail spaces, Visitor Experience team, a team of Rangers, as well as risk management, emergency response, and visitor safety. Previously, Scott was the REI Outdoor Programs and Experience Manager for Southern California for over 18 years. In that role he produces outdoor experiences and events, builds community, grows strategic partnerships, supports open space and advocates for outdoor participation for all. He is a former guide and outdoor educator. Scott is a founding Board Member for California Outdoor Recreation Partnership.
Raechel Botts is the Director of Product Compliance at Columbia Sportswear Company, a leader in the global outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment industry with a mission to connect active people with their passions. Columbia Sportswear Company is made up of a family of brands, two of which are based in California: Mountain Hardwear in Richmond and prAna in Carlsbad.
Matt Lyon is the President of HydraPak LLC, an Oakland-based manufacturer of outdoor hydration products since 2001. He was one of the founding members of CORP in 2017. He served as Board Chair and Treasurer until December 2025.
Amy Betts is the Store Manager at REI Co-op's Roseville, California location. The specialty outdoor retailer is a mission-driven organization, dedicated to connecting every person to the power of the outdoors and engaging them in the fight to protect it. Amy eagerly pursues opportunities for advocacy and community involvement in and around the state capital and is currently enrolled in the Master of Law program at McGeorge School of Law. Having lived and traveled for over twenty years in Europe and the Middle East, she now enjoys recreating in her home state, practicing her hobbies of hiking, paddleboarding and yoga.
Will Decker has spent the last 20 years as a Silicon Valley founder, investor and advisor focused on outdoor rec, circular economy, consumer, food and agriculture. He has had 9 unicorns in his portfolio and programs and is currently leading industry partnerships at StartX, an angel investor and advisor for several startups including GOES Health and a mentor in various programs including Stanford's Doerr School of Sustainability and Techstars San Francisco. Previously, he led Commerce & Media investing and corporate programs at Plug and Play where he was also a founding partner of the Future Commerce Fund. He has a BA in Mathematics from UC Berkeley and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Analise is the Associate Director of Policy at California Trout, California's largest dedicated freshwater restoration non-profit organization. Based in Sacramento, Analise has worked in the conservation space for over 8 years. Analise is responsible for the development and implementation of CalTrout's natural resource and water policy agenda in the California State Legislature. This includes supporting CalTrout's organizational goals through regulatory and public funding advocacy, agency relationship building, partnership development and other policy-related objectives that add to CalTrout's success. California's Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot appointed Analise to serve on the 30x30 Partnership Coordinating Committee, where she has served since 2022. This group is tasked with helping the agency foster inclusive public communication and statewide coordination on the 30x30 effort.
Elliot Gault is the Senior Manager for Government Affairs at VF Corporation, an apparel, footwear, and equipment company, powering iconic active lifestyle brands including The North Face, Timberland, and Vans located in Costa Mesa California. VF creates products rooted in performance with elevated design and relentless innovation, while delivering sustainable and long-term value for the community.
Steve McCann is the Director of Marketing at Toad&Co, a Santa Barbara, California-based down to earth apparel company focused on making quality cross functional clothing. Toad&Co believes that their clothing company won't singlehandedly change the world, but bringing together enough people who want to make a difference can and that is exactly what Steve is doing on our Board of Directors. Steve also serves on the Outdoor Industry Association Recreation Advisory Council. Outside of office hours, Steve spend his time with his family, teaching his kids to ski, bike, and camp.
Geneviève Marchand is a multipotentialite, workforce development specialist, and college professor at Cal Poly Humboldt with over 20 years of experience building inclusive career pathways in the outdoor industry. She is passionate about helping people connect intentionally to the outdoors. She began her career leading outdoor education trips in California, Colorado, and Utah. Originally from Québec, Canada, Gen now leads outdoor development initiatives on the North Coast, partnering with local community groups and employers to expand training and careers—especially in underserved communities. In her current role, she also serves as the academic field trip risk management specialist on campus.
