Meet Our Staff

A native of Scarborough, Liz has worked at Ketcha Outdoors since the summer of 2000, first as a counselor, then working her way up to Camp Director in the summer of 2004 and then moving in the Director of Operations. She is a member of the American Camping Association and formerly served on the American Camp Association New England Standards Committee and the Emerging Camp Professional Committee. Liz is passionately committed to youth development and public service. She has worked with children in a variety of capacities throughout her career, including as a nanny, a volunteer with the Special Olympics, and as a summer camp counselor.

Liz began her work with nonprofits leading the United Way’s Youth Engaged in Service group and participating in the Day of Caring as a Youth Site Supervisor.  She holds undergraduate degrees in sociology and criminology from the University of Southern Maine in Portland.  Liz continues her  professional development through courses, training, and conferences. She lives in South Portland with her husband and three children, who all love Camp Ketcha summer camp and school vacation camps!

Karen has worked in finance for the past 35 years in various positions and concentrations ranging from for-profit manufacturing to non-profit health care, education, and the arts. In addition to finance, Karen has served as Chief Operations Officer in several organizations as well as supported development efforts in several non-profits. Most recently, Karen retired from two organizations, the University of Southern Maine Foundation where she worked for 12 years, and most recently the Maine Historical Society, where she also worked a total of 12 years. Karen desires to continue to support non-profits and therefore has joined Ketcha Outdoors.

She hopes her extensive experience will support Ketcha’s leadership and staff in achieving their strategic goals and objectives. Karen has served on several non-profit boards in the past and is currently a board member of the Sugarloaf Mountain Condominium Center Association serving as their Vice President. Karen has one son who graduated from the University of Maine and is employed as an engineer. Karen and her husband Kirk enjoy spending time skiing, hiking, listening to music, and spending time with their son and daughter-in-law.

Mike brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for connecting young people with nature. A seven-year veteran of the New York City Urban Park Rangers, Mike specialized in interpretive programs that immersed youth and families in outdoor adventures like camping, canoeing, and survival skills.

After leaving NYC, Mike spent nearly six years in Maui, Hawai’i. There, he served as a lead educator at The Hawai’i Nature Center in ‘Iao Valley, inspiring a love for the natural world in students of all ages.

Now back home in Maine, Mike is dedicated to ensuring that all young people, regardless of background, have the opportunity to explore, grow, and thrive in the outdoors. His mission is to cultivate the next generation of conservationists while strengthening communities through exciting and transformative outdoor experiences. We’re so excited to have him on board and can’t wait for the impact he’ll make!

Raised in South Portland, Kailina comes to Ketcha with over 15 years of experience in childcare and education. She started as a camp counselor and has since received a BA in Early Childhood Education, Outdoor Education, and Inclusive Teaching, an M.Ed. in Early Childhood & Elementary Education, and her EdD from Fielding Graduate University in Leadership for Change. Kailina is a Reggio Emilia-trained educator and is passionate about providing high-quality learning opportunities for our youngest students.

She recognizes the importance of early childhood education in setting children up for long-term success, both in and out of the classroom. Before joining Ketcha Outdoors, Kailina taught preschool, public pre-k, and kindergarten in several schools throughout southern and midcoast Maine. Most recently, she worked as a Learning Specialist at Chewonki Elementary & Middle School and as a Communications Specialist for the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children. In her spare time, Kailina can be found hiking trails, making music, reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with her family and friends.

Ian brings years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and donor engagement to his role as Development Director at Ketcha Outdoors. Before joining Ketcha, he served as the Development Director at RMHC Maine, where he worked to expand donor support and funding initiatives to help families in need. His background in philanthropy, grant writing, and relationship-building has allowed him to connect people with meaningful opportunities to give back and make an impact. Ian holds a Business and Economics degree from the University of Vermont and earned his MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. He serves on the board of Maine Planned Giving and the New England Nordic Ski Association and is part of the event planning committee for AFP Northern New England.

A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Ian has a deep appreciation for nature and the opportunities it provides for learning, growth, and community. When he’s not at work, you’ll likely find him running, skiing, hiking, or spending time outside with his wife and two boys. An endurance athlete, he has completed nine marathons and an Ironman and enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors with others. He is excited to help Ketcha grow its impact and provide more kids and families with access to outdoor experiences.

With over three decades of marketing expertise, Liz brings a wealth of experience to her role at Ketcha Outdoors. Her professional journey has been marked by a strong commitment to non-profit work, spanning areas such as child and animal welfare, family health, and career planning.

Originally from South Carolina, Liz received her degree in Broadcast Communications from Western Kentucky University. Liz went on to co-found her marketing agency, Archerdog Creative in 2011. She moved to Maine in 2014, married Chris in 2016, and lives in Portland with their dog Charlie Brown, and their cat Jack Frost.

In her marketing and communications role at Ketcha Outdoors, Liz is dedicated to fostering an environment of open communication, humor, and mutual respect among staff. Liz oversees a range of initiatives designed to engage donors, cultivate partnerships, and promote Ketcha Outdoors’ diverse programming. From coordinating fundraising campaigns to organizing special events, she is responsible for growing the organization’s visibility and impact. Her profound empathy for animals has earned her a position on the newly formed Barn Committee, a team striving to enhance agricultural education opportunities for students.

Brittney was raised in the Boston area and spent her summers in Ocean Park, Maine, where she fell in love with the natural world—swimming in the ocean, exploring tide pools, and building forts in the forest with neighborhood friends. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Rhode Island in 2010, then moved to Colorado, where she spent the next decade immersed in both mountain landscapes and early childhood education. There, she completed her Master’s Degree through a partnership between the University of Colorado at Denver and Boulder Journey School, engaging deeply with the Reggio Emilia philosophy for six years.

Now back in New England, Brittney brings with her a passion for outdoor exploration, child-centered learning, and community connection. On weekends, she’s often found with her husband and daughter adventuring along the coast or wandering local trails and forests.

Thursday Sharon was raised in the woods of western Connecticut, before spending the last 5 years in Vermont, split between Burlington and the Northeast Kingdom. It was during this time in Vermont that she discovered her passion for being outdoors, spending time with animals, and teaching children about the wonders of farming. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems from Sterling College, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, to be completed in 2027. She has always loved working with children and considers herself to be a lifelong learner, eager to explore this new opportunity and spend as much time outside as possible. On the weekends, you can find her swimming in the ocean (regardless of temperature!) or spending time with her sister and her cat Ziggy. 

Chloe has her Associate’s Degree in Education from Southern Maine Community College. She hopes to continue her education at the University of Southern Maine while teaching. She came to Ketcha Outdoors in 2024 as a summer camp counselor and worked our aftercare program during the school year.

Chloe’s goal as a teacher is to build trusting relationships to create a healthy and positive learning environment. She believes in equity for all students’ success by recognizing their individual needs. In her free time, she loves spending time at the beach, pet sitting, and hanging out with her younger siblings. “I love Ketcha because I can share my love for nature and learning with my students!”