our team

WE'VE GOT BIG ASPIRATIONS.
WE'RE ON A MISSION TO GROW AND INCREASE ACCESS TO (SNOW) SPORTS.
WE HELP CHILDREN AND ADULTS DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS THROUGH SPORT.
​OUR LOFTY GOALS REQUIRE AN AMAZING TEAM. 
AFTERALL, TEAMWORK DOES MAKE THE DREAM WORK. 
​PLEASE MEET THEM BELOW.

RACHEL BAUER

PROGRAM COACH

Rachel grew up in Clovis, CA on an almond farm with her parents and younger brother. To pass the time she rode bikes and ski raced through high school. In 2004, she moved to Aspen, CO, and began a career racing downhill mountain bikes. Shortly after, she represented the USA Cycling Team in the Pan American Continental Mountain Biking Championships in La Parva, Chile. After two 3rd place finishes and  becoming Colorado’s 4-Cross State Champion, she moved back to California to Lake Tahoe to pursue a life with PSIA-AASI on snow where she is an examiner and on the Education Staff in the Western Division. In the winter months, she maintains various positions at local ski resorts as a Tech Team member, training manager and kids ski school manager. She currently resides in Olympic Valley and  teaches mountain biking at Northstar in the summer. She is excited to be a new member of the SIB team as a mountain bike program coach where she can share her love and knowledge of mountain biking with more kids and adults! 

kendall brice

program administrator & camp coordinator

Raised in the state of bluebonnets and longhorns, (that's right y'all, she's from Austin, Texas!) Kendall has been playing sports for almost as long as she can remember, from recreational soccer to Division I track and field at Rice University. There is little that can get between her and athletics; Kendall joined the Rice track team after her second ACL reconstruction. She is motivated to continue her athletic pursuits out of a pure passion for movement but also to show others that an injury (or two) need not put an end to sport participation. She believes that many of the opportunities and experiences in her life have been either a direct or indirect consequence of her mobility. Kendall is currently working on her Masters degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics and hopes to help people pursue their own mobility goals. For a few more months you can find her in Houston, TX, working virtually for Skiing is Believing, but soon she will be on her way across the country for residency rotations, finding time to run, bike, and enjoy the outdoors wherever she ends up. Kendall joined the SIB team in the midst of the 2020 COVID pandemic as a camp counselor. Since, she become a huge asset in planning and organizing SIB camps and programs. Kendall is also a Certified Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer (ATA).  

Keith becker

SKI HILL MANAGER, CAMP COUNSELOR & SKI INSTRUCTOR

Keith grew up in Minden, Nevada at the base of the Sierras. Growing up, Keith was heavily involved in sports and the outdoor community with the sports of skiing, motocross racing, and backpacking. He also played various team sports like football, hockey and cross country. Keith is also an Eagle Scout. His Eagle Project created a interpretive garden for the Nature Conservancy. Keith graduated as a Paramedic from Truckee Meadows Community College and is a graduate of The University of Nevada, Reno. He is now preparing to attend medical school. He has thousands of hours serving in public safety including structure and wildland firefighting, emergency medical services and in public education. Keith holds many certifications in various fields such as Pediatric Advanced Life Support and International Trauma Life Support. Keith always serves with the safety of children in mind. During his free time, Keith spends a lot of time skiing and holds certifications as a Level 1 Professional Ski Instructor with PSIA. He has years of experience instructing children on snow, and now also on The Biggest Little Ski Hill. Keith proudly helped design and construct BLSH, which is Skiing is Believing's mobile ski deck. In addition to time on snow as a Childrens ski instructor, he is also a ski patroller at a local ski area. As a hearing impaired individual, Keith has created valuable partnerships with organizations in the community that serve the needs of adaptive and hearing impaired athletes. Keith is ready to help impose the Skiing is Believing mission and create lifelong memories for children on The Biggest Little Ski Hill as well as the sport and community service programs offered through SIB camps. SIB is thrilled to have Keith as our reliable handyman as well as someone who always brings smiles and laughs to our team and those we serve. ​

ALEX CHAVEZ 

 CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

Alex was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada where he would spend much of his time outdoors. Growing up in an active family, he was always outside hiking, running, or biking with his two brothers. His parents were also extremely fit and always encouraged he and his siblings to stay active and healthy. He continued to realize the importance of an active lifestyle in high school when he began working out at a functional fitness gym in North Las Vegas. Since moving to Reno, Alex continues to both live and learn the benefits related to physical activity. Currently, he is majoring in Kinesiology at The University of Nevada, Reno and he plans to attend graduate school to become a physical therapist. Alex also works at a local gym coaching functional fitness and weightlifting as a CF-L2 trainer. Alex is always looking for new opportunities to become better educated as it relates to health and movement. As a coach, Alex loves teaching people how to move safely and motivating them to reach their goals. He hopes to encourage many more people to get outside and move on a daily basis. In his free time, he enjoys working out, playing piano, riding his mountain bike, and exploring the outdoors. Alex is excited to be a part of the Skiing is Believing team to help instill in others the love of fitness, health and sport, all while having fun!

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JOLING CAMPO

CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

Jo grew up in the suburbs of Boston, spending most of her time exploring the woods and trails near her house, as well as the mountains of New England. She learned how to ski at a young age, but only fell in love with it when she moved out west in 2017. Her love for the outdoors grew through trail running and continued to expand from there. She attended Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, Florida, graduating in 2016 with degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies to pursue her passion for the outdoors and protecting and preserving the fragile environments that surround them. She started her work as a bird biologist on the beaches of Florida, monitoring fragile bird species and researching predation rates. During her time in FL, she obtained her SDI open water dive cert, and spent much of her free time wakeboarding, surfing and free diving. Eventually, she realized she missed the mountains and took the first field job she could get out west. She worked for the National Park Service on Alcatraz Island as a bird biologist, and gradually transitioned from field world and conservation to the world of outdoor education and youth development. She moved to Reno in 2019 to be closer to the mountains. She has since worked as a STEM instructor and coordinator, environmental educator, climbing instructor, ski instructor, MTB coach and instructor among a variety of different non-profits throughout the Reno-Tahoe area, coordinating programs focused on utilizing the outdoors to empower youth to build confidence, life skills, and find their own passion for the outdoors. She has worked in the non-profit industry for over six years and continues to do so with work through Skiing is Believing, along with Gateway Mountain Center.  She continues to chase her passion and belief that the outdoors is truly for everyone; fighting for increased access and opportunities for all to experience the same activities she loves, while prioritizing conservation and stewardship of these areas. She loves the Sierras and is constantly chasing adventure in the mountains-whether it be skiing, biking or climbing. Jo is just stoked to be outdoors. She is also a certified BICP Ride Leader. ​

AURORA DROBNIS

CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

​Aurora grew up in Rhode Island and spent most of her childhood playing in the ocean and hiking the mountains in the Northeast. After starting college in Saratoga Springs, she fell in love with winter sports and rock climbing. After finishing her degree in Geology at Skidmore College, she moved west and got hooked on seasonal work building trails. This is where she first became interested in mountain biking! She has worked on the PCT, CDT, Yellowstone, Mount Rainier and Yosemite as a backcountry guide, trail builder and outdoor educator. After years of traveling, Aurora returned to college to get her Master of Education from the University of Montana. She currently resides in Reno with her two dogs and teaches High School Science. In her free time, Aurora enjoys mountain biking, gardening, and skiing in the Sierras. She also loves to bake bread and pastries! Challenging herself and moving with intention on her mountain bike has brought her so much joy and confidence. She is beyond excited to share the fun of mountain biking with others and work with SIB! Aurora is also a certified BICP Ride Leader. 

Sarah Edlin

Adaptive (ski) instructor & camp counselor

Growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey, Sarah did not have a lot of exposure to the wonders of an active lifestyle. She experienced tastes of it as a kid through summer camps and family trips. Incorporating sports and outdoor activities into her daily routine have only recently become a regular part of her life. Feeling empowered when progressing in a sport, learning perseverance when struggling through a particular skill, and feeling strong and confident within her own body are just a few of the reasons why she is so passionate about sharing these activities with others. Sarah has a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and serves as an OT year round. She is also a certified ski instructor with PSIA and in the winter works for a local ski resort, as well as The Achieve Tahoe program for adaptive athletes. Her background in teaching kids how to swim, teaching English as a second language, plus her education and certifications related to people with (dis) abilities, make her a great fit for the Skiing is Believing team. Sarah’s goal is to help Skiing is Believing expand their current programming to be more inclusive of individuals with disabilities and unique abilities and needs. 

MICHAEL ESENARRO

CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

Michael Esenarro was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Growing up in Norther Nevada Michael has been incredibly fortunate to be fully immersed in athletics and healthy movement from a very young age and in every season. He grew up competing in gymnastics, skiing, and playing baseball. He later transitioned to running track and cross-country throughout high school while also being a part of the ski team. He then attended Florida State University where he was casted in FSU’s Flying High Circus. Whether it was soaring through the air on the flying trapeze, walking across a solid steel wire, or holding onto his partner while hanging from his knees twenty-five feet in the air on the double trapeze, the circus exacted his focus and inspired pure joy. Michael’s passion for coaching was fueled by his time as a circus camp counselor, which allowed him to share his passion for circus with younger generations. After moving back to Reno, he was hired as a ski team coach and worked with the developmental program at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Michael’s connection to nature and active lifestyle has been completely transformative in his development and believes that exposure to sports and physical activity establishes diversity and balance in other aspects of life. Michael is a certified BICP Ride Leader and is thrilled to be a part of the Skiing is Believing team.
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KARALINE GRIFFIN

PROGRAM COACH

​Karaline was born and raised in beautiful Northern Michigan but didn't discover mountains until moving West from Chicago in 2013. She first experienced REAL mountain biking while living in South Lake Tahoe and got involved with the Women's MTB Experience in Northern CA. Partaking in many guided group rides, skill building clinics, and even racing on the women's enduro team, Karaline worked on progressing her own skills before becoming a BICP Level 1 Certified Coach. Currently also teaching at Tahoe XC in Tahoe City, Karaline is beyond excited to be on the Skiing is Believing coaching team, and will be teaching beginner and intermediate fundamental skills with the Gravity Girls and The Summit Camp programs in Summer 21'. Teaching fundamental skills is a passion of hers since fun on a bike starts with safety and control. When you properly learn to ride a bike, anything is possible on the trail!  When not riding in Reno or North Lake, you'll find Karaline camping in the woods, swimming in a river, gardening, or working the local farmers market in Reno.

ANDREW INGERSOLL

PROGRAM COACH

Andrew Ingersoll's passion for the outdoors started at a young age in the foothills of Denver, Colorado. By the age of four, he'd learned to ride a bike and the sport has been his primary passion ever since. Andrew raced and worked as a bike technician through high school, competing in downhill, 4X, dual slalom, and BMX for Team Orbit in the Mountain States Cup Series. Andrew left Colorado to become a Navy Seabee heavy equipment mechanic from 2009 until 2014, deploying in Afghanistan, Spain, and Japan. After leaving the Navy, he moved to Reno, where his parents had retired, to continue his outdoor passions. Andrew taught skiing at Diamond Peak before becoming a ski patroller at Mt. Rose in 2016. Andrew continues to ski patrol during the winter and looks forward to the opportunity to share his enthusiasm for mountain biking with a new generation of young athletes through the Skiing is Believing coaching programs. 

SUZY JOHNSON

CAMP COUNSELOR

​Suzy hails from Eugene, Oregon, where growing up she competed in track and field, volleyball and basketball. By high school, she began narrowing her focus by specializing in track and field, and in college competed in Division 1 PAC-10 for the University of Oregon in the high jump and 800 meters. It wasn’t until the year 2000 that she discovered snowboarding which became her main pursuit in all of the winters since. In 2021, she joined the Ski School at Mt Rose Ski Tahoe, gaining her Level One Snowboard Instructor Certification from the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI). Instructing snowboarders of all ages and all levels has become her passion, which she has now expanded to include all-season board sports including electric one wheels and longboards. She has acquired a small fleet of assorted powered boards, or as she calls them trucks, which she uses to teach a variety of side ride sports under the Skiing Is Believing umbrella. Applying and developing AASI techniques, she supports riders’ development of their flat terrain and alpine skills in multiple board sport applications. Suzy is thrilled to be a part of the SIB team!

MEGHAN KELLEY

PROGRAM COACH

Raised in Crystal Bay, NV the outdoors have always been Meghan’s favorite place to be. She grew up camping with her family, downhill skiing, XC skiing, and XC ski racing. Initially, she only began mountain biking as a way to cross-train for skiing in the summer. However, one  summer of riding was all it took to make it her favorite sport. She began training and racing with her high school mountain bike team and competing in the Northern California high school mountain bike league. Success at the high school level drove her to compete at the national level, which ultimately led to several years of national and international XC racing. Now, her passion for cycling goes well beyond the race-course, expanding into many aspects of her life. She works on the marketing team for a company that makes training software for cyclists and triathletes. She’s a volunteer coach for her local high school mountain bike team, and she's a part of the Skiing is Believing's mountain bike program. Outside of that, she still races mountain bikes any chance she can get. Through Skiing is Believing she hopes to help another generation of athletes find joy in the trail and confidence in themselves. She’s a firm believer that participating in sports can be an important step in developing a life-long passion for exercise and the outdoors. ​

AIDEN LAJOIE 

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, SKI INSTRUCTOR & CAMP COUNSELOR

 LUCAS MIERS

PROGRAM COACH

Lucas Miers was born and raised in Reno, Nevada and grew up playing all sorts of sports. As he got older, he narrowed down his long list of favorites, to just three, skiing, biking, and lacrosse. Lucas attended Galena High School and graduated in 2021 and is currently attending the University of Nevada, Reno as a biology major. Outside of school, he races mountain bikes professionally. He is a second -year pro and has competed in many national championships. Lucas loves to travel and experience new things. He helps coach the Galena NICA team and also the Reno Tahoe Junior Cycling club rides. For Skiing is Believing, Lucas coaches The Summit Camps and Downhill Devils programs.  His goal is to pass on some of his experience and skills to younger kids. Inspiring others is one of his biggest aspirations and doing it through cycling is even better!

MEGHAN OCHS

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PROGRAM COACH & CAMP COUNSELOR

Meghan has been an extremely physical and active person her whole life. As a child, Meghan competed in many sports, her favorites being softball and competitive cheer. At the age of 18, she got her first paid job as a tumbling and gymnastics coach and has been involved in coaching various athletics since. Meghan grew up skiing, but not competitively. After college, she discovered competitive skiing and became an instructor and eventually, a coach. As an adult, Meghan realized if she had grown up without sport, she would be half of the woman that she is today. Soon after this life-changing revelation, Skiing is Believing camps and programs were born. Today she spends most of her time coaching children and instructing women on snow. She is a Level 200 U.S Ski & Snowboard Coach and a trainer at her local resort where she coaches and instructs full time in the winter. On snow, she is also a Level 3 PSIA-AASI certified ski instructor. Additionally, she is also an ambassador of the Rollerblade 'Skate to Ski' Program and a Level 1-Skate IA instructor. When she is not coaching on snow, or instructing in the transfer sport of inline skating, Meghan also spends a lot of time coaching athletes at a local functional fitness and weightlifting gym. She is a CF-L2 Trainer, a USAW Level 1 Coach and a Certified Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer (ATA). She is also a certified BICP Ride Leader. Meghan fervently believes in the power of physical activity to not only promote health within the body but also develop crucial life and coping skills that can be used in nearly any environment at any age. This belief is the foundation of all Skiing is Believing camps, coaching programs and after school activities.
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Learn more about our founder Meghan and some of her work and travels here: 

https://www.girlsrugbyinc.com/2020/02/24/meet-the-winning-women-headed-to-brazil-for-the-women-win-international-exchange-program/?fbclid=IwAR2ZCAFjsxJQMdvUP0JuW0XlptFNSKkf2lb5JC-OhMs5BRwifw-N2KJv2pI 
www.meghanscharitybash.com
​https://renotahoeypn.com/twenty-40-awards/
​http://africanskiestravel.com/amplifyafrica/presenters/meghan-ochs/ 
​https://renopowerhousefitness.com/coaches/meghan-ochs/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-ochs-di-rocco-09519518/ ​

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SADIE WHITELEY

SKI INSTRUCTOR, CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

​Sadie Whiteley is a born and raised Nevadan. She grew up on the Mount Rose Ski Team and got her first job as a coach for them after she stopped racing. Skiing has always given her confidence. This is one of the reasons the Skiing is Believing goal of helping kids learn self esteem through skiing, and other sports, resonates with Sadie. Yoga, Pilates and softball are also hobbies of Sadie's and they help keep her body in shape for ski season as well as clear her mind. Sadie also currently works for DL Freight Solutions in the accounting department. Prior to her current full time job at DL, she worked at Sierra Sage Academy with the young women in their Right of Passage program. She met Meghan, the owner and founder of Skiing is Believing, while working for the Mt. Rose Ski Team where she is a Level 1 certified Professional Ski Instructor with PSIA-AASI. Sadie is also a certified Ride Leader with BICP. She is always looking forward to participating in new sports with the children in the Skiing is Believing camps. Sadie is a natural creative and is often the creator of many of the Skiing is Believing graphics. She is a bright, competent, empathic and patient counselor. SIB is honored to have her as a part of our team. 

BRIANNA ZOLTIE

SKI INSTRUCTOR, CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

From the moment her boots clicked into her bindings at the age of 1.5 years old, Bri has had a strong passion for skiing, and for sports in general. Growing up in San Jose, CA, and making her way to Reno, NV for college, Bri has used her passion for sports, especially skiing and softball, to make a home here in Reno. In an attempt to meet new people since she moved to Northern Nevada without knowing anyone, Bri decided to apply for a job at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Her job at the local ski area simultaneously allowed her to make new friends and get more time on the slopes. Bri has now worked at Mt. Rose for 5 seasons and has since achieved her Level 1 Alpine Cert. with the Professional Ski Instructors of America. She loves every minute she is on the mountain and even spends most of her days off there sliding on snow for fun! She recently was awarded employee of the year in the Children's Ski School. In the summer season, Bri coaches softball and has fun playing new sports and trying new things in SIB summer camps as a camp counselor. When she is not teaching skiing, working out, or playing softball, she can be found hanging out with her dog, Nugget. Brianna recently graduated with a degree in Business Marketing from the University of Nevada, Reno. She has found that sports are her true passion and wants to help share her love of sports to a younger generation through Skiing Is Believing. Bri is also a BICP Certified Ride Leader. 

 SKIING IS BELIEVING & THE BIGGEST LITTLE SKI HILL ARE A PSIA-AASI PROUD MEMBER SCHOOL OF THE WESTERN DIVISION