TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
Staff & board
We are nature lovers, educators, and community members.
We are passionate about sharing the outdoors with future generations.
We are dedicated to the outdoors
Meet the team
We are a team of passionate educators and nature lovers who are excited to share that passion with the next generation, through quality environmental education programming, meaningful relationship-building, and thoughtful community partnerships.
Our staff
Maury Peterson
Executive Director
Maury is a high-impact leader whose 20+ year career has spanned the globe, including 10 years of non-profit Executive Director experience. She orchestrates meaningful change for the communities she serves, utilizing the strengths of effective, tight-knit teams. Her wealth of experience includes multi-million-dollar fundraising, leading and training other executives and industry leaders, and a high capacity for managing a multitude of projects annually.
Maury has a Master's of Science in Social Work with a Concentration in Nonprofit Administration and Planning from the University of Austin at Texas. Maury's career in service work started as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Maury’s prolific career also includes international development work in Rwanda and Zimbabwe, serving as the Vice President for the Grand Circle Foundation, and as the Executive Director for Rebuilding Together Montgomery County.
Outside of Catamount Institute, Maury serves on the board of Rocky Mountain Women's Film and can be found doing yoga, of which she is a certified instructor.
“I am honored and humbled to join such a committed team at Catamount Institute. I can think of no finer mission than to connect kids to the outdoors and to utilize outdoor science education and adventures to help create the environmental leaders of tomorrow. I look forward to building on the great work Catamount Institute has done for nearly 30 years in the Pikes Peak region."
Message Maury: peterson@catamountinstitute.org
Billy Kinn
Director of Environmental Education
Billy has shared and studied the natural world with people across the globe since 2011. He has dipped his toes in everything environmental science related from researching leaf cutter ants in Costa Rica to taking soil samples in the Arctic Circle. When he isn't exploring the front range with Catamount kids, he can be found taking pictures of plants for citizen science apps or climbing. He has lived in CO since '99 and did K-12th grades in the 'Springs. He has degree in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability with a minor in Ecological Restoration from CSU.
Message Billy: kinn@catamountinstitute.org
Saraiya Kanning
Environmental Education Manager
Saraiya is a birder, writer, and visual artist with a passion for wildlife and nature. For over 10 years, she has taught and created art through her business, Raebird Creations. Saraiya also taught poetry in k-12 schools in Tucson through Writing the Community, a program through the University of Arizona Poetry Center, for 9 years and art through The Drawing Studio, another Tucson-based non-profit. Saraiya grew up in Colorado Springs and holds an undergraduate degree from Colorado College. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Arizona. Through her work as education manager at Catamount, Saraiya is passionate about connecting children and youth to the outdoors.
Message Saraiya: kanning@catamountinstitute.org
Autumn McMullen
Environmental Educator
Autumn is a 2022 graduate from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and pursued a B.A. in Inclusive Elementary Education. Autumn spent most of her childhood with mountains in her backyard, both the Rockies and Appalachians, fueling her love for the outdoors. Teaching others about different places became a passion at a young age. Throughout her career she has brought a passion for learning to students of all ages from zealous preschoolers to reluctant high schoolers in and out of a classroom. Autumn is enthralled to take her teaching to a rain or shine outdoor environment and learn alongside eager students. When Autumn is not at work you will find her in the local thrift stores flipping through books and clothing racks, playing games with her friends, and dancing in the rain (whenever she can)!
Message Autumn: mcmullen@catamountinstitute.org
Spencer Kessinger
Environmental Educator
Born and raised in Maryland, Spencer received her Bachelor's in Environmental Studies, Education, and Biology at St. Mary's College of Maryland. She left the brackish shores of the Chesapeake Bay looking to explore a new part of the country and experience mountain life! Outside of work, Spencer enjoys hiking with her dog, doing yoga, and spending time near water. She is excited to continue exploring Colorado while having fun and hands-on environmental learning experiences alongside the kiddos she teaches!
Message Spencer: kessinger@catamountinstitute.org
Tehya Watson
Environmental Educator
Tehya is returning to the Catamount team as a full-time, year-round environmental educator after working as a summer staff member in 2019. She has a background in secondary English education from Colorado College, and has years of experience working with students of all ages in various settings. Raised in Colorado, she developed an appreciation for the natural landscape and all it has to offer. Tehya is excited to combine her passion for education with her love of the outdoors. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and paddle boarding with her dog, as well as painting and baking.
Message Tehya: watson@catamountinstitute.org
Isaiah Robyne
Environmental Educator
Isaiah is an AmeriCorps member, serving as an Environmental Educator with the Catamount Institute. He graduated from George Washington University with a degree in International Affairs, concentrating in Environmental Science. He has worked as a land steward and nature camp counselor in Indiana, and through this experience found that he had a passion for outreach. While he grew up in the flatlands of the Midwest, his family brought him many times to the mountains of Colorado, where he formed his strong connection with nature. In his spare time, you can find him going on hikes and runs, experimenting in the kitchen and playing tabletop games. He is looking forward to teaching about sustainable living and spouting interesting facts about animals and geography.
Message Isaiah: Robyne@catamountinstitute.org
Annalee Anderson
Environmental Educator
Born and raised in the Midwest, Annalee Anderson is an Environmental Educator eager to experience life in Colorado. She is a recent graduate from Bradley University with a B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Biology. Annalee is passionate about equipping children with skills and space to explore their interests. She is also a certified children’s yoga teacher who loves to go birding, rock climbing, hiking, and spend time with her cat, Winnie.
Message Annalee: Anderson@catamountinstitute.org
Chris Heckenkamp
CC Public Interest Fellow
Environmental Educator
Chris Heckenkamp is Catamount Institute’s year-long Colorado College Public Interest Fellow. Chris was born in Colorado Springs and grew up in Castle Rock, Colorado. He is a recent graduate of Colorado College with a bachelor of arts in philosophy and a minor in music and education. He loves to meditate and do Yoga, hike, play guitar, sing, and spend time with friends.
Message Chris: Heckenkamp@catamountinstitute.org
Grace Mullins
AmeriCorps Service Member:
Environmental Educator
Grace is an AmeriCorps member serving at the Catamount Institute as an Environmental Educator. She grew up in Dayton, Ohio and has always had a passion for the outdoors. She recently moved from the Adirondack mountains of New York to Colorado Springs to explore the higher mountains. In her spare time, you can find her cuddled up with her dog, or searching for a good swimming spot. Grace is looking forward to helping the youth of Colorado build a connection with nature, and learning alongside them.
Message Grace: mullins@catamountinstitute.org
Board of directors
- Chris Young, Board President, Springs Wealth Group
- Jay Olson, Vice President
- Julie Francis, Co-Founder, Catamount Institute & Catamount Center
- Annelise Degenhart, St Paul Catholic School
- Nicole "Niki" Amidei, Atlas Prepatory School
- Brian McQuinn, James Waite Law
- Brittany Riffle, Board Secretary, El Paso County Public Health
- Flora Roten, Board Treasurer, School District 11
- Audrey Szychulski, AJS Consulting Group
- Sarah Tremmel, Director
- Jonathan Wuerth, Director
Partners & Sponsors
