staff

Jess Graham Women’s Clinics Coordinator + Dirt Divas Co-Founder

Jess is a mountain biker, snowboarder, painter and educator. She completed the secondary teacher training program at St. Michael's college and is an AASI certified Level III snowboard instructor at Stowe. Jess has administered and taught in local arts and outdoor education programs for the past nine years. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid/CPR. She lives in Wolcott where (depending on the season) she enjoys watching the birds, knitting, painting, developing her own art business, shoveling, gardening, chasing after her cats Astro and Lobo, and making the best burritos ever.

Nadine W. Budbill Executive Director

Nadine has thirteen years of experience working with youth and specializes in outdoor adventure and empowerment programs for adolescent girls. She has been developing and running Dirt Divas programs since 2001 when she co-founded the program with Jess Graham. Nadine has a B.A. in race and gender studies, a M.A. in Education, with a concentration in Experiential Education and Girls’ Studies, and a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management. In addition to making presentations at national conferences on the subject of girls’ development and girls’ adventure programming, she has co-authored a chapter entitled, “Girls’ Outdoor Adventure Programs: History, Theory, and Practice,” published in the 4th edition of The Theory of Experiential Education. She is on the board of directors of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Nadine loves to ride her bike, ski, swim in VT’s lakes and rivers, go on exciting adventures, and sing to her cat, Squeaks.

staff

Katie Falconer Lead Instructor

Katie has been a Dirt Divas instructor for seven years. She brings patience, laughter, and love for riding her bike to her work with girls. She has passion and expertise in health, nutrition, and herbs and enjoys studying and observing everyday parts of life. Katie is certified in Wilderness First Aid/CPR. She is very happy that her 13 ½ year old dog, Raven, continues to love mountain biking as much as she does!

Jennie Date Instructor

Jennie has years of experience working with young women, and was formerly the Girls Program Coordinator at Vermont Works for Women and the Rosie’s Girls Program. She has a background in botany, trail building, herbalism, carpentry, and running experiential youth programs. She is currently in the midst of completing her yoga teacher certification and maintains a solid commitment to playing in the outdoors as much as possible. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid/CPR and is an experienced bike mechanic.

Girls Move Mountains’ staff is comprised of passionate, unique,

and adventurous women who believe strongly in sharing their love

of the outdoors with others and doing good work in the world.

Jenn Childress Instructor

Jenn has been an educator in the public school system for 8 years and is currently a middle school reading specialist at Sheldon Elementary School. She coaches Odyssey of the Mind and softball and has been involved in various outdoor education programs for children. Jenn has a Master’s Degree in Education and is certified in Wilderness First Aid/CPR. She loves to ride her bike, rock climb, snowboard, play guitar, travel, read, and eat delicious food!

Meghan Giroux Marketing + Development Director

Meghan has 12 years of experience working in the Outdoor Industry in both marketing and operations. When Meghan isn't sitting behind her desk you can find her chasing her Australian Shepard, planting food and flowers, and riding her mountain bike or snowboard. She is happiest lost in the woods far from cell phone reception. Additionally she loves the arts, having created art through her own nonprofit venture, Flywheel Films. Meghan has experience working with eight to eleven year old girls in both athletic endeavors and community oriented projects. She is committed to empowering girls and women, the under served, and her community at-large.

Kristyn Dumont Instructor

Kristyn has worked in the outdoor industry for six years, having run a variety of outdoor education programs, including running and biking programs for young women. She is getting her Master’s Degree in Education but when Kris’ nose isn’t in a schoolbook, she can be found riding her bike or working on the trails!

Kayla Carter Jr. Instructor

Kayla has been involved with Girls Move Mountains for 6 years, first as a Dirt Diva and then as a Jr. Instructor. Kayla goes to St. Johnsbury Academy where she is involved in the Future Business Leaders of America and dance. She brings laughter, understanding, and leadership to her work with girls. In her spare time, Kayla enjoys show her opponents how it’s done on the golf course.

Alli Compangna Jr. Instructor

Alli is a former Dirt Diva and a current student at Johnson State College as a Health Science major. She loves to be outdoors, exercise, draw, and paint. Alli is very interested in gardening and environmental issues and is an upbeat and energetic person who loves to smile!