Board Officers

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  WE Adventure NY was born on a run in October of 2025, but the idea had been germinating in my head for almost a decade before that fall day. 

I’m a slightly-beyond-middle-aged woman – I’m in my early fifties – and in the last decade, getting outside and running trails and hiking mountains has become absolutely central to who I am and who I want to be as a person. I want to be someone who lives well, and to me that means someone who lives actively and fully. Someone who seeks and experiences joy and awe in nature and in the world, someone who pursues genuine connection with other people, and someone who works to build positive community. It is from this desire that WE Adventure NY took root. 

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I discovered a latent athleticism in my early forties, but I am by no means highly athletic. I love to run trails, but I fall a lot, and I am a solid middle-to-back-of-the-pack runner. I have finished dead last in more than one trail race, but I’ve also run as far as 100 kilometers – 64-ish miles – so who cares how long it took me to do it? (Note: It took me 19.5 hours and the cutoff was 20.) I love to hike and climb mountains, where I also fall a lot, and I once rode a bike from Rochester to Albany over the course of three days and, surprise, surprise, I fell hard about 20 miles in. 

While I love to be active and to be outdoors and I feel like I’m a pretty adventurous person, there are so many things I want to do that I’ve never tried: I’ve never been rock climbing or ice climbing. I’ve never been mountain biking. I’ve never camped overnight in the winter. I’ve never kayaked on big open water. I’ve only tried downhill skiing once in high school, and I fell so many times I gave up so I really should try it again. The list goes on.

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I read Caroline Paul’s excellent book Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking (or from Bird-Watching to BASE Jumping) – How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age earlier this year and my definition of what constitutes adventure completely changed (and as an aside: I've never been wing-walking but have it as a 60th birthday goal after reading this!). Paul comes to define adventure as anything that involves the pursuit of joy and awe, and I love that. That’s really what I’m looking for when I run trails and climb mountains. It’s also what I'm looking for and feel when I sit quietly alongside a bubbling brook or take in the rich colors of fall foliage. I feel joy and awe when I’m up and outside early enough to enjoy a beautiful sunrise, or when I get out for a walk on a cold snowy night.  

This definition of adventure is at the heart of what we want to do at WE Adventure NY. We want to connect women of all ages with the joy and awe of simply being outdoors. We also want to provide opportunity for women to try new things. To push further than they otherwise would. To discover strength and daring they didn’t know they had. For almost every adventurous thing I have ever done, there was a woman who told me she thought I could do it. And so I did.

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Almost all adventure involves some form of movement, and if adventure is the heart of WE Adventure NY, movement is the breath that powers it. Whether its walking, hiking, running, biking, kayaking, mountain climbing, skiing, swimming, doing yoga, or any other activity you can think of, we want to encourage women to move their bodies in ways that feel good and support both physical and mental health. 

Women of all ages, but young women in particular, are navigating a world filled with increasing screen time and constant digital demands. These things contribute to stress, disrupted sleep, and a feeling of comparison or inadequacy fueled by social media. Stepping away from devices gives the mind a chance to reset, reduces sensory overload, and allows us to connect with ourselves and others in healthy ways. Getting outdoors and moving offers benefits that screens simply can’t replicate. Natural spaces provide fresh air and sunlight—boosting physical health, improving mood, and supporting strong mental well-being. 

For older women like me, getting outdoors and staying active as we age offers powerful benefits for both physical health and mental well-being. Regular movement helps maintain muscle strength, bone density, balance, and flexibility — all of which are essential for preventing injuries and maintaining independence. Exercise and regular movement also support cardiovascular health, lower the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis, and help regulate hormones that can shift during menopause.  

Beyond the physical gains, staying active is one of the most effective ways to protect and enhance mental health. Exercise releases endorphins and serotonin, natural mood boosters that can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. I have struggled my entire life with mental health issues and know from personal experience just how much movement and activity – especially outdoor activity – can improve mental health. 

Active lifestyles also create opportunities for social connection — and for me this is probably the most important thing we will do at WE Adventure NY. Shared experiences foster community, boost confidence, and reinforce a sense of purpose and belonging. WE Adventure NY goes beyond outdoor activities, providing opportunities for skill-building and learning through classes and workshops, book discussion groups, and volunteerism. 

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The WE in WE Adventure NY stands for Women Elevated. I have met the most remarkable and inspirational women through trail running and through my personal and professional involvement in the outdoor community. I often think about how wonderfully curated my social media feeds are, filled as they are with the adventures of so many incredible women who spend their free time exploring the world, challenging themselves, and supporting other female adventurers. I have friended and followed women I barely know just so I could see what they were up to and find encouragement in what they were doing (thanks to those of you who accepted those requests!). 

Some of these women have joined me in the founding of this organization. I hope you will join and support WE Adventure NY as well. Become a member and come out for an activity or event, attend a class or book discussion group, or volunteer with us. We can’t wait to adventure with you!

Elevated together,

Christy
Founder/President & CEO