Alpine Initiatives

Lisa is actively involved in nurturing sustainable environments that integrate people and structures with the ecology of their surroundings. In 2002, she founded Evo Catalyst, where she opens possibilities and challenges common ideas of sustainability and community. Her diverse list of clients includes urban dwellers, local ranchers, Whole Foods, various nonprofits and most recently the LA Museum of the Holocaust. Lisa became involved with AI after meeting Karambu Ringera and subsequently joined the team on a trip to Meru, Kenya. She is well versed in agricultural design, bio-intensive farming and permaculture, as well as has a natural affinity for forging partnerships with those who are like-minded. Lisa’s dedication to altering the way we live and transforming passion into action guides AI’s holistic approach and sustainability practices.

Jake wants to develop globally aware young leaders who have the potential to build a more sustainable world. He currently directs operations for The Safe Conflict Project, which is a nonprofit based in Boulder, CO striving to end armed conflict through innovative collaboration and partnerships. Once an operations officer in the U.S. Army, Jake is exceptionally talented with long and short-term planning and strategy. As an avid skier and outdoor aficionado, he often freelances as a wilderness guide, leadership teacher and writer. While working on a piece for Skiing Magazine, Jake became intrigued with AI’s mission and members. He now oversees organizational structure, operations management and development practices for AI.

Whether it’s a rural setting in the high country of Colorado or the farmland in central Madagascar, Emmanuelle values cultural sensitivity in natural resource stewardship. As principal at Vital Resources, she consults for various land agencies, municipalities and private landowners in the fields of wildlife habitat protection, recreational use, water rights and alternative transportation planning. She co-founded the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council to provide leadership in advancing environmental, economic and social sustainability in northwest Colorado. Originally from France, Emmanuelle has worked on environmental and humanitarian projects for various nonprofits and international organizations throughout the world such as USAID, the World Bank, and the Smithsonian Institution. Tired of convoluted and ineffective approaches used by larger agencies, Emmanuelle sought out innovative organizations with inspired leaders where her time and energy could be better utilized. Emmanuelle now coordinates AI’s programs. Her vast experience coupled with her resourcefulness, inherent ability to connect people and compassionate instinct brings all those involved in AI to a common and elevated mission. She’s a telemark skier, design genius, mother of two beautiful boys and avid mountain biker.

Gretchen actively promotes the benefits of the local food movement by partnering with nonprofits as well as assisting on panels and participating in fundraisers. She is co-founder of Ripe, a permanent farm stand that promotes and sells locally grown food in the Vail Valley. She has worked in public relations, marketing and as a ski coach. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Gretchen holds a BA in international studies from the University of Utah. She met and fell in love with AI co-founder Mikey Hovey, and was quickly inspired to join AI’s team. Gretchen now creates and promotes events and has an active role in planning. She’s a lover who wants to share good food, create sustainable communities and encourage healthy and balanced living.

Megan seeks to use her writing to spotlight organizations and individuals doing inspiring work and encourage others to join in working toward a brighter future and healthier planet. Working as part of an AmeriCorps Emergency Response Team taught Megan just what can be accomplished when organizations and individuals unite toward a common goal. A flatlander by birth and an alpinist by training, Megan is now a Massachusetts-based freelance writer and editor. She has written for Climbing magazine, Budget Travel and numerous local publications as well as created campaign material for a network of environmental nonprofits. In an interview with JP Auclair for National Geographic Adventure, Megan learned about AI’s work creating sustainable communities. Inspired by other young people pursuing their dreams, Megan thru hiked the Appalachian Trail, which served as a fundraiser for AI. Since then, she’s been on hand as a writer, editor and communications advisor. After ‘falling in’ with the snow sports community, this southern-raised gal has vowed to one day soon attempt to ski.

EJ is passionate about sustainable development and its connection to conservation and the natural world. He currently works for a program called TIST, which encourages farmers in East Africa, India and central America to plant trees for the global carbon market while focusing on biodiversity, conservation agriculture as well as soil and riparian reconstruction. His family’s foundation, the Oppenheimer Brother’s Foundation, has placed him in close proximity to amazing leaders like Jane Goodall, Reverend Desmond Tutu and Muhammad Yunus while instilling a value of social entrepreneurship. While discussing a potential move to Meru, Kenya, he was told about AI’s work and has since visited KACH numerous times. EJ now serves as an advisor for AI on empowerment, operational sustainability and  development work. He lives and manages his family’s ranch in northeastern Oklahoma and is often found in the woods bow hunting.