Balanced Rock is delighted to announce that Kendra Kurihara has accepted the position as Executive Director. Kendra will take the reins in mid-April.

Kendra finds joy and serenity in her life through long, slow trail runs in the mountains. Sometimes accompanied by friends both human and canine, sometimes alone, these excursions invigorate the body and spirit, and soothe the mind. When she can't get away for the whole day, a short jog at lunch brings her back to that far away state. Growing, preparing and eating food is a close second favorite pastime.

Kendra has been an outdoor educator for 15 years, leading trips from Yosemite to Colorado, and Oregon to Patagonia. She taught environmental sciences for the Yosemite Institute and other California programs, and rock climbing and mountaineering courses for Outward Bound. Since 2000, she has lived in Leadville, CO where she created an outdoor leadership program for middle school youth and completed a Master's degree in Nonprofit Management. Subsequently, she served as a Program Director for Outward Bound, developing contract courses for diverse populations from leadership groups to adjudicated youth, as well as courses for the deaf in ASL, Iraqi veterans and survivors of violence. She is a founding board member of the community recreation board and a supporting nonprofit. A particular source of pride is her mentoring relationship of five years with a Leadville teenager who will begin college in the fall of 2008.

Kendra and her husband Rob Dillon are looking forward to re-acquainting themselves with the Sierra Nevada and exploring the surrounding area where the winters are milder than in Colorado. They enjoy backcountry skiing, rock climbing, and long hikes with their dog Ollie.