Alison Wright has spent her career in the philanthropic sector, advancing initiatives for justice and empowerment internationally and closer to home. She directs the Environmental Defenders Collaborative at Global Greengrants Fund, channeling support to frontline environmental activists around the world. She is also a co-founder of The Cairn Project, a nonprofit startup that supports girls outdoor education programs around the US through an adventure-driven funding model. Alison is a board member of Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide; she holds a BA from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a JD from Seattle University School of Law. She lives with her family on the northern California coast.

Alison serves as the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation’s President.

Tana grew up in northwest Montana where her love of wilderness and all things wild began. As often happens, she left the solitude and wilderness for the big city to be an adult. After (too) many years in the California corporate world, restless and bored, she was drawn to southern Utah where her passion for the outdoors was reignited. She now uses her project management skills to organize large ultra running events in the southwest and is involved in many wilderness conservation projects. In her spare time you’ll find her exploring canyons or climbing peaks or paddling her kayak.

Tana serves as the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation’s Treasurer.

Sarah Castle grew up in a small mountain town west of Denver, Colorado, and has spent most of her adult life a stone’s throw away from the Rocky Mountains. Though she held a fascination for wild places at a young age, it wasn’t until late high school that she became captivated by the high elevations and unbeaten paths of the mountains in her backyard.

Merging her love for both exploration and grit, Sarah pursued a career in soil science, studying the effects of global change and land use on natural and managed ecosystems. Currently living in Saint Paul, Minnesota, you’re likely to find her either trail running or logging one of many 70mi. weekend bike rides. Sarah holds B.A. and M.S. degrees from the University of Colorado and a Ph.D. from the University of Montana.

Sarah is a co-founder of The Cairn Project.

Justine Mulliez is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, small business owner, and avid outdoorswoman. Raised between France and the United States, she had the privilege of growing up with incredible landscapes as her playground. Taking risks, building confidence, and learning from trial and error are lessons that Justine has always associated with nature and in 2019, Justine became a Trailblazer for The Cairn Project to support programs that help girls experience that firsthand. Justine helps guide the next generation of outdoor industry athletes, creatives, and business owners honor their values by building sustainable businesses that nourish their lives by combining her extensive coaching training and her own experience as a female freelancer in the male-dominated action sports industry. Justine has a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Management; when not outside snowboarding, backpacking, camping, or trying to learn new outdoors sports, Justine can be found introducing her kids to the awesome force that is nature.

Lisa is a Michigan-based adventurer, community builder, and retired public servant who spent years working in education and government before discovering that the outdoors had something different in store for her. After a career that included roles in Michigan public schools and nearly six years as Scheduling and Office Management Coordinator for Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow, Lisa stepped away from professional life in 2025 — and promptly spent the better part of a year traveling the world with her husband Mark, visiting more than 20 countries. An all-women backpacking trip through Utah's remote Paria Canyon with AWExpeditions sparked a deep connection to the transformative power of wilderness experiences shared among women for Lisa.