Leslie Johnson
CO-FOUNDER · PRESIDENT · TREK GUIDE
Board of Directors for multiple non-profit organizations
Grant advisor to family charitable trust administered by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Certified Parent Coach
Special Education Teacher
B.S. Child Development, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
M.A. Special Education, San Francisco State University
Leslie resides in California with her husband and numerous animals and has four grown children.
Her vision for TrekEpic originated through insights and fond memories experienced while hiking along Northern California trails with family and friends.
She recognized that many young adults seeking their path in life would benefit greatly from a reflective experience that integrates movement and nature as a vehicle for personal exploration and transformation.
Andrew Bryan
CO-FOUNDER · EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR · TREK GUIDE
Educational Consultant
Educational Consultant and Guide, Poet
Former Board of Directors, Independent Education Consultants Association
Baker 5J School District Board, Baker City, Oregon
B.U.S. Poetics, University of New Mexico
Andrew Bryan's expertise is in guiding and supporting emerging young adults and those in transition toward their next steps. As an independent educational consultant with a focus on college and early career guidance, his purpose is to help people understand more of "who they are" and "what they have to offer the world around them". Through a process of exploration, his clients come to more fully understand their inner genius and their core gifts, such that they may discover and live within their purpose and experience meaning in their lives.
Bruce Anderson
Facilitation Consultant, Core Gift Institute
Co-founder, Community Activators
Mayor
High School Teacher
Adjunct College Professor
Director, Social Services Agency
Commercial Fisherman
B.A. Teaching and Rehabilitation Administration
Bruce joined the TrekEpic team in 2012 with passion for bringing his 25 years of experience in community leadership, training, coaching and organizational development to the TrekEpic format.
Bruce is renowned for bringing important timeless traditions from international cultures along with personal stories, humor and honed interpersonal skills to his role providing insights and guidance to others.
Josie Bryan
Trek Guide
Writer and Poet
Program Counselor for Neurodiverse Youth
Student Academic and Success Coach
Master Core Gift Discovery Facilitator
B.S Design and Innovation Management
Josie is dedicated to supporting young adults on their personal healing and growth journeys. With a Bachelor of Science in Design and Innovation Management, Josie combines her background in coaching and facilitation to help individuals feel more embodied, confident, and connected through creative and purpose-driven processes.
As a Master Core Gift Facilitator and Assistant Guide for Trek Epic’s international walking adventures, Josie brings expertise and enthusiasm to every trail. Josie’s purpose as discovered by the Core Gift process is to help others “feel seen” so that they may “know their inherent worth, show up unapologetically, convey feeling through visuals, and build meaningful relationships.” Her passion lies in fostering supportive group dynamics and cultivating safe spaces where participants can engage in self-reflective discussion, be in community, and uncover the deeper meaning of their lives.
Ruth Cortner
TREKEPIC ADVISORY GROUP
B.A. Medical Sociology, University of Pennsylvania
M.P.H. Socio-Medical Sciences, Columbia University
Ruth currently serves on the TrekEpic Board of Directors. She resides in Boise, Idaho with her husband and their two adopted children and enjoys spending time at their family ranch in Jackson Hole, WY. Ruth grew up in a walking family, and has traveled and hiked extensively throughout the British Isles and Peru.
Donald Chance, Ph.D.
TREKEPIC ADVISORY GROUP
B.S., Forestry Management
Masters, Urban and Regional Planning
Ph.D., Environmental Design and Planning
Don was the first to introduce the founders of TrekEpic to the concept of long-distance trekking abroad as a highly effective educational and soft counseling format for young adults. TrekEpic founders adopted and adapted Don's Study Abroad model to serve the vision of the foundation today.
Kathy Wells
CFO and TREKEPIC ADVISORY GROUP
Kathy's profession and expertise are in finance. In addition to providing fiscal oversight to TrekEpic in it's early years, it was Kathy who first coined the tagline "Get on Trek." She currently serves as the Finance Manager for the Information Technology Department of the County of Monterey. Her group is responsible for all communications for the County, including ensuring full accountability and reconciliation of finances and budget.
TrekEpic Officers
Chief Financial Officer
Kathy Wells