Meet Our Founders
Erin Lee
FOUNDER
This is my life. Mother of two and friend to many. I'm a surfer and a dreamer. A soul searcher, climbing over tall peaks and through expansive valleys to reach clarity. I come from alpine-loving parents. At the age of three I moved to a place that my heart never left, Kirkwood. In my youth, being held and comforted by her strong and majestic beauty, I guess you could say my blood runs thick with the back country. It's home.
I have a deep-rooted dream to open the eyes of my own kids as well as those less fortunate. My heart's desire is to help guide each participant through the healing whispers and shouts of the great outdoors.
Sarah Hughen
CO-FOUNDER
Sarah was born in rural Wisconsin. Her upbringing was deeply rooted in nature, and her draw to wild places has led her all over the world. A desire to connect, and not just move through places found her on numerous extended expeditions including a 100 day kayak and first-ascent mountaineering trip in Southern Patagonia, a 90 day paddle across Northern Canada, and a photography expedition down the Mackenzie River for 1,000 miles documenting local villages in the Arctic. Sarah received a formal degree in photography from Montana State, and currently lives in Montana with her husband, two boys Oliver and Evan, and her husky, Rey.
Living in Southern California, Sarah made a deep connection to the lessons that surfing brings, and is hopelessly addicted to the ocean. Her most recent project (A Wave A Day) involved an awareness campaign for breast cancer in which she vowed to surf every single day for a year, while documenting her inspiring personal challenge. Sarah is excited and honored to be a part of Foster the Earth, and hopes to bring all facets of her life experiences to the program and continue to inspire the youth of our world.
Meet Our Team
Ryder England
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Ryder was born and raised in Southern California. He spent five years living in Lake Tahoe where he realized that the mountains are something everyone can heal and grow from. When not working with Foster the Earth he is a photographer, writer, and documentary filmmaker. He recently spent three months cycling through southern Mexico, climbing the highest peaks of the Mexican Alpine, and documenting the family values and Mayan traditions of the Yucatán Peninsula.
The trails have always been a place of security for Ryder. Something about the melodic rhythm of one foot in front of the other allows him to tune out the world’s distractions and open himself up to the natural world around him. His first backpacking trip was in high school and from that first day on trail he’s been hooked. It is now a priority of his to share the values of minimalism and the importance of setting aside time to reconnect with nature.
Valerie Bertucci
Chapter Director - Vancouver, British Columbia
Valerie is an adventurous experiential educator with a passion for fostering meaningful connections between people and the natural world. Valerie’s academic foundation combined with her 10+ years traversing across the globe fuels her holistic and unique approach to experiential learning.
Her journey as an educator began during her time in Australia, where her love for travel and exploration took root. Over the past ten years, Valerie has combined teaching and trip-guiding, leading adventures across Latin America, Southeast Asia, Eastern Africa, Europe, and beyond. These experiences have deepened her commitment to environmental stewardship, particularly in ocean conservation.
Valerie is a PADI-certified Divemaster who has contributed to marine conservation efforts worldwide, including time spent aboard a research conservation vessel in the Great Barrier Reef. During this 100-day voyage, she gained invaluable insights into the complexities of marine ecosystems and the pressing need for sustainable action.
Beyond the ocean, Valerie’s adventures span mountaintops and jungles: scaling the Peruvian Andes, trekking through the Amazon rainforest, exploring the Rocky Mountains, and diving in the vibrant coral triangle. These experiences fuel her passion for discovery and serve as the foundation for her inspiring teaching philosophy.
Through her work, Valerie strives to empower the next generation of changemakers, cultivating a deep appreciation for the environment and a commitment to positive action. She feels most herself deep in the wilderness and brings the transformative power of nature and education to the forefront of her work.
Valerie remains a lifelong student, relentlessly curious, and optimistic for a greener and more sustainable future.
ZACH SOLOMON
Partner Relations
I was born and raised in Encinitas, CA on the beach. I had my first experiences in the mountains when I moved to Colorado in my early 20s and was instantly hooked! My time exploring the backcountry opened up my world to what types of adventures were available in my own backyard. It provided a platform that allowed me to escape the noise of everyday life and build my self-confidence to heights I had only dreamed of before. I eventually became so hooked that I decided to leave my corporate job to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. At the time I had literally no prior experience backpacking but figured why not, it's just walking! Now that I have completed the PCT, my goal in life is to never stop exploring the world while enthusiastically encouraging others to grow through outdoor recreation.