Staff
The Board of Directors works with a small, talented team of year-round staff members committed to helping each girl achieve her full potential.
Robyn Bryers
Program Manager & Outreach Coordinator
From scaling big peaks to rowing huge rapids and tackling open sea crossings in a kayak, she has done it all. Robyn graduated with a degree in Outdoor Experiential Education from Prescott College and has been the program director for a non-profit outdoor school in Prescott, Arizona since 2005.read full bioclose
When Robyn is not busy floating somewhere in North America, she can be found co-directing the annual WEB (Woman’s Empowerment Breakthrough) Conference held each year for teenage girls in Arizona. Robyn has been Instructing and Course Directing with GirlVentures for 5+ years and was hired as year-round staff in 2012.
Sarah Heath
Director, Programs & Outreach
Raised in a family of educators and outdoor enthusiasts, Sarah has always loved playing and working outside. From her first summit (Mt Monadnock – on a bet over a creemmee with her grandpa) to ski-school at age five Sarah has always believed in the magic of adventure. read full bioclose
Ms. Heath started with GirlVentures as a volunteer mentor in January of 2006, joined our Instructional team that summer, and was hired as year-round staff in January of 2007. She comes to us with 19 years of experience teaching youth and adults alike. Having begun her career as an outdoor educator with the Swift Water Girl Scout Council back east, she’s been leading outdoor expeditions for 16+ years.
On her 16th birthday, Sarah became an American Red Cross Lifeguard and continued to pursue advanced Red Cross training as a Lifeguard Trainer, CPR/PR Instructor, Small Water Craft Instructor and Water Safety Instructor – thus beginning a successful career in mitigating the risks associated with outdoor adventure pursuits. Additionally, Sarah has completed NOLS’ Wilderness Risk Management Training, is a certified American Mountain Guide Association Climbing Wall Instructor, and holds a Wilderness First Responder certification.
Sarah first got involved with nonprofit work during high school as a volunteer and activist, after college she further entrenched herself in community work through 3 years of AmeriCorps*VISTA service. Sarah holds a B.A. in Women’s Studies & English from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a M.Ed. in Adventure-based Education, from the University of Vermont. In addition to her work with GirlVentures, Sarah also guides/facilitates for UCSF Outdoor Programs, California Nature Treks & Team Adventures, Adventure Associates, and Girls Move Mountains.
Sarah’s other loves include her cat, Sigmund, her sweetheart, Sarah, Saturday morning yoga, fresh food, and triathlons. She tries to jet “home” to Vermont whenever possible, and her personal philosophy is summed up nicely by the words of Garrison Keller: “Be well, do good work and stay in touch.”
Taara Hoffman
Executive Director
A summer road trip from New York to California more than 20 years ago turned into a permanent move to the Bay Area for our new Executive Director, Taara Hoffman. Taara’s professional background includes two decades in corporate and nonprofit management with a focus on brand development, communications and fundraising.read full bioclose
She has been a Vice President with Silicon Valley firms Alexander/Ogilvy and Edelman Worldwide, a fundraiser for Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, a producer for The Webby Awards, a stage manager at Carnegie Hall in New York, a publicity director for Wired Magazine, a program developer at Literacy Volunteers of America, a media manager for Elektra Records, as well as a contributor to many other exciting and diverse projects.
Most recently, Taara was the Executive Director of Coastside Children’s Programs, the leading nonprofit childcare and development agency on the San Mateo County Coast, as well as a Commissioner with First 5 San Mateo County and a Board member for Thrive, the Alliance of San Mateo Nonprofits.
She graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and attended the graduate program at UC Berkeley’s School of Journalism.
Taara believes that every girl deserves respect, individual attention and the opportunity to build and give voice to her unique inner strengths. Though a piece of her heart will always be in New York, Taara loves living in San Francisco with her husband, two daughters and singing dog Lucy.
Michelle Lovejoy
Program Manager & Volunteer Coordinator
Michelle joined the full-time staff in fall of 2010 after completing two summers of seasonal work as both the Program & Logistics Coordinator and a field instructor. With a Masters degree in Recreation Administration from San Francisco State University, a BA in physical education, and years of experience teaching K-8th PE we are thrilled to have her on our team. read full bioclose
Michelle is also certified as a Wilderness First Responder, holds a Commercial Drivers License (to drive our beloved purple bus, Lulu!), and is trained as an American Red Cross Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor.
She whiles away her free time climbing, skiing/snowboarding, and playing co-ed soccer every Sunday. A Bay Area native, Michelle is best described as a hardworking, playful outdoors-lady who can solve the most daunting task with her brilliant ingenuity and make even the most mundane task painless with her efficiency and humor.
Marissa Viray
Marketing & Development Associate
Marissa comes to us with 10 years of marketing and advertising experience. As a Senior Marketing Strategist for Y&R Advertising, she worked across several corporate and public accounts, including outdoor/sports brands like Heavenly Ski Resort and the NCAA. In 2010, she left advertising to put her talents to use for GirlVentures. read full bioclose
Before joining GirlVentures, she was a consultant with The Volunteer Center, host of the signature Board Match Event, and First Graduate, a college access program that helps students in San Francisco become the first in their family to graduate from college. She was also an active board member for the Tall Ship Education Academy, an accredited outdoor program that offered semesters-at-sea for high-school girls in the Bay Area.
When she is not in the office, this San Francisco native can be found tending to her community garden, backpacking in the mountains, or sailing on the bay.
Meet our instructors.
