I  learned about Women Outdoors at a local outdoor expo and joined shortly after I joined the BOD in 2021. Over more recent years as family responsibilities have decreased, I have been able to devote more time to: hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, birding, biking and kayaking. I have truly enjoyed meeting new friends and learning about nature & conservation and what we each can do to take better care of mother earth. I enjoy leading hikes and showing participants interesting features. We are fortunate to have such wonderful and diverse parks and great people with whom to explore.

Randi Lynn Quackenbush, 
Finger Lakes

Randi joined the WO Board in 2021. She loves hiking, backpacking, paddling, skiing, and camping in all seasons, and she travels to the mountains at every opportunity - she recently became an ADK 46er.  After attending a few Becoming an Outdoors Woman events in NY and VT, Randi sought out women-specific outdoor opportunities and found Women Outdoors. As a newer Board member and resident millennial, Randi has been helping plan events and provide technical support. She lives in Trumansburg, NY with her husband and dog Luna.

Jennifer MacKenzie, Connecticut

I grew up camping, hiking and fishing with my family in Maine and New Hampshire. I traveled across all of the US, raised three sons, and currently have seven grandsons and two granddaughters.

I live in Danbury CT near the New York border. I have been leading hikes for at least 25 years - all levels: simple walks on carriage roads, to scaling the rocks of Popolopen Torne or at Macedonia in Connecticut. Most of those hikes have been for The Hiking Group CT-NY. I enjoy fall and winter hiking the best. Basically I appreciate any opportunity if I was being outdoors and active

While I've completed the training to be an AMC leader, I have never organized a hike for them. I have completed their wilderness survival training twice as I think safety for all outdoor activities is important.

As the newly retired school teacher / librarian with time in my hands I'm looking forward to contributing my skills and abilities to the Women Outdoors organization.

Bet Bowles, Mid-Atlantic

In February of 2023, I discovered the Women Outdoors website by accident while looking for something to complete my bucket list of adventures. I am a retired Federal Contracting Officer that developed a love for the outdoors when I was traveling all over the world for work. I enjoy hiking, camping and traveling.

Without knowing anyone, I went to the 2023 Gathering in Albany, New York from Maryland (6 hour drive). I was welcomed by the group and mostly the women in the Mid Atlantic region basically took me under their wings and made the whole introduction to the group feel welcoming. Since joining the group I have been on at least one event a month with the Mid Atlantic group. 

I decided to join the board to see if I could use my skills of negotiation to help facilitate the goal of the organization.

Lisa Vaas, Eastern MA

Lisa, who lives in Boston, joined Women Outdoors around 2001, joined the board a few years after, and eventually took on the job of president. During her tenure, she launched the WOOF online event series during the pandemic and helped to launch the Women Unleashed program. After a brief hiatus, she rejoined the board in 2024 as a director at large. Lisa organized an American Canoeing Association Level 1 Kayaking instructor training weekend for 7 Women Outdoors members in July 2024. She's part of organizing committees for the Gathering and the Craftsbury skiing weekend. Lisa has also launched a new Paddling committee that will work to spread  knowledge of water sports safety and skills.  Her favorite outdoor activity is kayaking. She likes x-country skiing and sometimes hikes, only because that’s what the cool kids do. She wants to take kayaking training somewhere warm!

Donna Adams, Eastern Mass

I enjoy the freedom retirement has given me and use it to spend more time outdoors. The Minuteman Bikeway is a mile from my house and I have had the good fortune to bike many miles on it. I enjoy kayaking and in the summer of 2024 I participated with six other WO members and got certified as an ACA Level 1 kayak instructor.  I also love hiking, birding and cross-country skiing.  

In 2024, I completed Wilderness First Aid and CPR training. I attended AMC’s Leadership Training Program and participated in their Spring Hiking and Backpacking Program. I haven’t lead trips for AMC because my focus is to promote and contribute to women being outdoors. In 2024, I joined the Board. It will be rewarding to pitch in and help guide WO into the future.