Explore Austin is pleased to announce Wendy Papasan has joined the Board of Directors. A growth-focused visionary and co-founder of several companies in the real estate sector, Wendy’s philanthropy and prior board service have focused primarily on women and children.
Said Wendy, “Kathleen Schneeman [CEO of Explore Austin] has been a dear friend for 15 years, and when I found out she was leading Explore Austin, I immediately wanted to learn more. The mission perfectly aligns with my own! I’m excited to help make an impact on the lives of young people in Austin.”
Wendy is an avid traveler and adventurer who caught the bug fresh out of college when she spent 18 months solo backpacking her way around the world. In joining the Explore Austin Board, she’s now looking forward to bringing together her love of adventure with her passion for empowering youth to reach their full potential.
Wendy has run the Papasan Properties Group since she co-founded the business in 2009. A full-service real estate consulting firm that operates out of Austin and San Antonio, Papasan Properties Group at Keller Williams Realty has helped more than 1,800 families, totalling more than $750 million in home sales. Last year, Real Trends ranked Papasan Properties number 21 for teams out of 120,000 realtors in Texas. Additionally, Wendy is a six-time winner of the Platinum Top50, an elite group of real estate professionals selected for their real estate production and charitable giving and volunteerism in their communities.
In addition to her real estate business, Wendy is the co-founder and chairman of the board for Her Best Life, a million-dollar startup that helps women build big businesses and even bigger lives. She also serves on the board of KW Kids Can, a nonprofit that helps young adults think bigger and find their mission. Together, she and her husband, Jay Papasan, have helped raise more than $1 million for children with cancer.
Wendy is also the co-host of the award-winning podcast Empire Building, which received the Inman Innovator’s award in 2021 and has more than 750,000 downloads. She is a sought-after international real estate speaker and trainer who has been a featured guest on multiple podcasts including Bigger Pockets, The ONE Thing and Dave Ramsey’s Entreleadership.
In her spare time, Wendy enjoys international travel and being active through weight lifting, hiking and biking, naming the trails around Lady Bird Lake and the Barton Creek greenbelt as some of her local favorites. Family time is also important to her – she and her husband are the proud parents of two teenagers and a dog named Taco.
Please join us in welcoming Wendy to the Explore Austin family!
This piece is the third in a 2023 summer series, “Trip Leader Tuesday,” that highlights the Trip Leaders who make Explore Austin’s programming possible.
When Liya Scott began as a Trip Leader with Explore Austin in 2021, she saw lots of rock walls in her future.
“I imagined I would be climbing all the time. I’ve since discovered that I quite enjoy canoe challenges. For Trip Leaders, there is quite a bit of planning and technical knowledge required in the preparation stage, which I enjoy. Once we arrive at the challenge site, it’s a joy to teach Explorers and Mentors and watch for those ‘lightbulb’ moments. The best part is finally getting on the water and feeling one with the river and nature.”
Coming up on her second anniversary with Explore Austin, Liya has grown accustomed to expecting the unexpected. Another of those moments? Translating her rock-climbing skills underground to cave exploration, one of her favorite memories to date.
Said Liya, “I got to join Trip Leader Kori for my first caving trip – it was such a unique experience! As a climber, it was so cool to use my climbing technique scrambling in the underground. I learned that life is different underground; animals breathe differently, and even rocks and things you might find underground change in appearance if exposed to outside air. The trip was definitely an unforgettable challenge.”
Liya discovered her passion for caving as a Trip Leader with Explore Austin. On a recent Saturday Challenge, she posed for a photo 30 feet below ground in Whirlpool Cave, Travis County.
Liya has been an “outdoorsy, adventurous gal” for as long as she can remember and feels it’s especially important for her to be involved with Explore Austin because, as a woman of color, she’s a direct role model for the program’s youth, 97% of whom identify as youth of color and 50% of whom are female.
“The best part is sharing this love of outdoor spaces with youth. Experiential education is powerful, especially in the context of outdoor recreation. As a woman of color, it’s important for me to be a presence in outdoor spaces to help reverse the stigma and historical trauma of my people,” Liya said.
At family gatherings, Liya’s work with Explore Austin is a conversation starter that continues to stoke her love of nature and her desire to preserve its beauty for future generations. She points out how Explore Austin’s programming differs from most outdoor adventure programs, including its emphasis on mentorship and social-emotional learning through time set aside for group discussion and for “solos,” periods of time alone in nature for self reflection:
“I like how social justice is tied into the mentorship and empowerment piece, and how Explore Austin puts value on debrief and discussion time. The concept behind the ‘solo’ on the Summer Wilderness Trips is really unique, too. These things are all important because we live in a society that does not understand the importance of taking time to slow down, process and practice moments of stillness. As you get older, these moments become more scarce if you don’t purposefully incorporate them into your life, and you won’t unless you are taught how to do it. I’m glad we get to teach this practice to youth.”
While Liya has led school-year Saturday Challenges for nearly two years, last month marked her first Summer Wilderness Trip. After working with the ‘26 Funky Cacti team all year, she co-led them (along with Trip Leader Karley Henson) on a weeklong canoe trip 45 miles down the Buffalo River in northern Arkansas. Said Liya:
“I’ve really enjoyed working with the high school girls this year. It’s neat to be able to relate to their experience in high school, and share insights I’ve gained in the life I’ve lived between high school and now. So many things have changed about middle school and high school since I was there, so hats off to students navigating sixth through twelfth grade – it’s not easy being a kid these days!”
Liya also connected with Funky Cacti’s Mentors over the last year – Annalise, Holly, Kate, Kelly and Patty – seeing how deeply they care for their Explorers, and that the sentiment is reciprocated. Getting to work with this team on Saturday Challenges made Liya confident that their Summer Wilderness Trip would be “a good combination of fun, adventure and challenge.”
Karley, Liya’s co-Trip Leader on the Buffalo River, said:
Liya during a Saturday Challenge with Explorers on Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin.
“Leading with Liya is such a treat! She’s cool, collected and loads of fun. She’s also always on her game; she knows when to let things roll and when to step in to make things happen. I’d lead another trip with her in a heartbeat! Though we had lots of great moments in the field, my favorite was singing with her to Ray Charles’ ‘That’s How I Know’ on the drive home.”
Liya echoed Karley’s sentiments of co-leading, calling her first Summer Wilderness Trip a “10 out of 10 experience”:
“Our group had an absolute blast! The weather was incredibly reasonable, we avoided the severe storms that hit other areas of Arkansas, and the river was breathtakingly beautiful. Of all the wildlife sightings, my favorites were the blue heron (which we named Sharon), the alligator gar (seen from the bottom of the clear river) and a young bald eagle. I got to hear the song of the whip-poor-will bird for the first time, which was really special for me; they only sing at dawn or dusk. One misty morning, we even thought we saw a nutria gliding through the water! I especially valued the time we spent as a team sharing rose/bud/thorn moments, and encouraging one another after a long day. The Explorers and Mentors were really fun to be around.”
Though Funky Cacti’s Summer Wilderness Trip saw its share of technically challenging days on the water, Liya concludes: “We had a lot of fun together too. I like that Explore Austin cultivates moments where we learn together and have fun at the same time.”
We could not be more excited to announce the complete list of Explore Austin’s 2023 Summer Wilderness Trip locations. Our staff worked hard to scout trip locations that would afford our Explorers and Mentors a variety of environments for challenge, growth and fun. This summer, our Trip Leaders are guiding Explorers through six unique landscapes across the U.S., including Texas, New Mexico, Idaho, Arkansas and Utah.
In addition to becoming comfortable with new skills and physical challenges, Summer Wilderness Trips afford our Explorers the opportunity for social-emotional learning (SEL). Every day of the trip, Mentors facilitate SEL discussions to pave the way for Explorers to learn self-awareness and interpersonal skills to ultimately become a bonded team. These important “campfire discussions” allow Explorers to be unconditionally accepted just as they are while learning about themselves and their teammates.
And now, a look at our 2023 Summer Wilderness Trip locations!
Colorado Bend State Park, Texas
Colorado Bend State Park is home to rugged wilderness just two hours northwest of Austin. In mid June, our ‘29 Explorer teams and their Mentors learned the basics of camping, hiking, paddling and outdoor wilderness safety to get them started in the program, all while camping on the Colorado River. During their trip Explorers and Mentors had the opportunity to:
Swim in Spicewood Springs
Hike to Gorman Falls
Hike to Gorman Cave along a canopy-covered river trail before exploring the cave
Learn canoeing and water safety while playing river games on the Colorado River
Experience 30- to 60-minute “solos” where Explorers spend time alone in nature reflecting, which can include journaling, drawing or simply enjoying “alone time”
Our Explorers and Mentors will complete a backpacking loop in the Pecos Wilderness outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. They’ll camp in a high-elevation forested environment (cooler temps!), setting up base camp beside a remote alpine lake from which they’ll explore another two to three nearby lakes. They’ll also hike the Winsor Loop to Stewart Lake. Over the course of the week, teams will:
Hike 20-plus miles
Camp at 10,000-foot elevation
Complete one- to two-hour “solos” around the lake, allowing them time to reflect on their trip
City of Rocks National Reserve is an internationally renowned spot among climbers. Boasting over 600 routes ranging from easy 5.6’s to difficult 5.14’s, its granite walls offer interesting routes for all levels of climbers. Our Explorers and Mentors will set up camp at the Twin Sisters Group Site before exploring the area to try out different crags (rock walls) each day. They’ll enjoy a morning climbing session, break for lunch, then have an afternoon session of more rock climbing or a fun swimming or exploring activity. During this trip Explorers and Mentors will have the opportunity to enjoy:
Climbing games such as knot-tying races and an introduction to speed climbing
Activities that Explorers get to help choose, such as a visit to Durfee Hot Springs or Caldron Linn Canyon Falls
Two- to three-hour “solos”
In addition to the younger teams heading to City of Rocks, the ‘24 Mafia Team chose rock climbing as their Capstone Trip (their final Summer Wilderness Trip with Explore Austin). The Explorers of ‘24 Mafia have had a hand in planning their trip all year and will also take on more involved leadership roles during the Summer Wilderness week including:
Helping grocery shop and prepare meals independently
Designing the itinerary and daily schedules, deciding when to push themselves and when to take a rest day and enjoy nature
Diving deeper into our rock-climbing curriculum, including learning about gear management and taking turns leading lessons to explain basic concepts to their Mentors and Trip Leaders as a way to review what they’ve learned
The Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. Teams will canoe 50 miles of this remote river, carrying all supplies with them as they camp along the banks and on sandbar islands en route. With four to six hours on the water each day, Explorers and Mentors will have plenty of time to soak in the cool waters and simply enjoy nature. In addition, teams will:
Receive lessons in hydrology, learning how to identify eddies, upstream and downstream Vs and eddy lines
Complete the Big Bottom Rapids whitewater section on one of the last days after the team scouts it out together and creates a plan of attack
Complete three- to five-hour “solos” (solos get progressively longer as teams get older)
Teams can expect stellar views of the Teton Mountains Range throughout this trip. They’ll visit the top-rated mountain biking area in the Big Hole Mountains: the Teton Connector route through Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Each day of the trip will allow Explorers and Mentors to experience elevation gains and varying distances, and different types of track and landscapes, from rugged snow-capped mountains and green meadows to creeks, rivers, and mixed aspen-and-pine forests.
In addition to mountain biking, teams will get to experience:
A soak in Heise Hot Springs
The 7NRanch Bike Park, which includes a wide array of beginner to advanced trails, pump and obstacle tracks and a teeter totter
A variety of campsites while enjoying biking day trips
Six- to eight-hour “solos”
Wasatch Mountains Range, Utah
Rugged terrain, crisp mountain air – the ’24 Hermanos team is backpacking the Wasatch Mountains Range, perhaps made most well known by the 2002 Winter Olympics which showcased its natural splendor to a global audience. The range stretches 160 miles from Utah’s northern border with Idaho to Central Utah. At the center of that corridor is Salt Lake City, where the team will fly in.
This is the team’s Capstone Summer Wilderness Trip, so the ‘24 Hermanos Explorers have played a big role in planning their own adventure. After the first night, the Explorers will essentially “take over” the planning to select daily backpacking mileage and camping spots, and choose when to push themselves or take breaks. In addition to taking the lead for many trip logistics and completing overnight “solos,” the team plans to enjoy the following itinerary on their week-long backpacking trip:
Five straight days “off the grid” – no signs of civilization!
Summiting Mount Timpanogos (elevation: 11,753 feet)
Taking routes with waterfalls and alpine lakes along the way
This piece is the second in a 2023 summer series, “Trip Leader Tuesday,” that highlights the Trip Leaders who make Explore Austin’s programming possible
Henry Adamson has lead canoeing, rock climbing and mountain biking Saturday Challenges for Explore Austin since 2021.
Henry Adamson can take the heat of the lowlands – they grew up in Florida, hiking its swamps and kayaking through the mangroves with their father. It wasn’t until they were 25 that they discovered climbing. They’d taken an outdoor-education job in Hong Kong, where their coworkers taught them outdoor climbing skills on their off days.
“I used to travel and work as an ecotourism guide, outdoor educator and wilderness-therapy leader in other countries and states, so when I settled in Austin, I was looking for a position I was familiar with and found Explore Austin,” explained Henry, adding: “I was drawn to the fact that Explore Austin combines the outdoor-recreation aspect with conservation education and social-emotional learning.”
An Explore Austin Trip Leader since 2021, Henry has since added mountain biking to their rolodex, which has become their favorite Saturday Challenge to lead Explorers and Mentors on because “there is a steep growth curve with the activity in as little as a day – from Explorers and Mentors who have never mountain biked before and are hesitant, to zipping through the trail by the end of the day and wanting to go again.”
Henry learned to rock climb at 25 years old in Hong Kong, where they’d taken an outdoor-education job.
Henry also leads canoeing and rock-climbing Saturday Challenges. Now, a couple years into their tenure, they can truly appreciate both the long-term nature of Explore Austin’s six-year program and its unique pairing of mentorship with free outdoor adventure experiences for kids who would otherwise not have access.
“The other companies and organizations I have worked for serve clients or students for short periods, from one day to a few months, at most. It is neat that through Explore Austin, one can observe an extended period of personal development in the community. The relationships that evolve between the Mentors and Explorers is also special because generally there is more of an instructor-student dynamic with outdoor programs, and Explore Austin’s approach is more holistic and interpersonal.”
Henry has taken inspiration from the Explorer-Mentor relationship and credits the Mentors of the Lost Boys and Adventure Seekers teams in particular with smoothing the trail for these deep bonds to form. Said Henry:
Henry has loved outdoor adventure for as long as they can remember.
“They are both very supportive groups, which is a community culture facilitated by their Mentors. It is inspiring to see the Explorers hold each other up and empower one another. They also step up to tasks when something needs doing. It has impacted me as a Trip Leader because it is a reminder that Trip Leaders can also be an integral part of contributing to the culture and modeling leadership. All of the Mentors of the Adventure Seekers and the Lost Boys have advocated for their Explorers and made thoughtful decisions on behalf of the group. They inspire me to be a more conscientious leader.”
Henry worked as an ecotourism guide, outdoor educator and wilderness-therapy leader in other countries and states before settling in Austin.
Although the great outdoors has been a major part of Henry’s life for as long as they can remember, what keeps them returning to Explore Austin as a Trip Leader is its people who live out the program’s mission of empowering young people from economically disadvantaged communities:
“I keep coming back because I enjoy leading with my coworkers, the activities we provide, and seeing familiar faces year after year. I also believe in Explore Austin’s mission, and there is no other organization like it in Austin.”
This piece is the first in a 2023 summer series, “Trip Leader Tuesday,” that highlights the Trip Leaders who make Explore Austin’s programming possible.
Trip Leader Mollie Binion has led paddling, mountain biking and backpacking trips for Explore Austin since 2016.
Mollie Binion knows resilience. She’s seen it in herself as a long-time paddler, mountain biker and backpacker, but also in Explore Austin’s youth since 2016. As a Trip Leader, she routinely guides EA’s Explorers and Mentors on Saturday Challenges during the school year and every June and July on Summer Wilderness Trips for miles down rivers and trails. She knows what she asks of these rising-seventh through twelfth graders isn’t easy – but she also knows the payoff.
“My friend, Holly Orr, introduced me to Explore Austin as a canoe guide,” said Mollie. “After learning about the program’s mission and goals, I knew that it was something I wanted to be a part of. Getting to expose others to a hobby and sport that I hold dear was also exciting. If you can show others how to access parts of the outdoors that didn’t seem possible, it can be life changing.”
Mollie recalls leading her first-ever canoeing Summer Wilderness Trip. There was an Explorer who’d experienced a particularly difficult first few days and was distancing herself from the team. The symptoms?
“Not wanting to complete assigned job tasks and an impressive eye roll that spoke volumes,” said Mollie.
However, by the end of the third day, something had shifted.
“At the campfire that evening, she apologized to the whole group and took responsibility for not really being part of the team. She verbalized why she was struggling, and opened the floor to not only feedback, but that she wanted to do better and be part of the group.”
Right then, EA’s impact became tangible for Mollie.
Mollie’s (foreground) favorite Summer Wilderness Trip to lead is on the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas.
“I think it took the week, the vulnerability that the outdoors makes us feel, and, most importantly, the feeling of safety and being supported for her to open up. The Explorers who had really been leaders that week were the first ones to speak up and tell her that they understood, and ask how they could support her. To watch the young group show that type of grace and understanding was profound.”
Mollie’s first canoe trip was when she was only three years old; she grew up exploring the Brazos and San Marcos rivers with her family. Paddling is her favorite outdoor skill to teach Explorers and Mentors, and maps to her favorite Summer Wilderness Trip to lead: Canoeing 50 miles down the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas.
“The Buffalo River trip is great to lead, in my opinion, because the Explorers have started to hit their stride on these week-long trips and get to really enjoy the activity and their environment. You can start to see during campfires and downtime that the conversations have started to become really meaningful, and the bonds and relationships have grown closer.”
Declared America’s first national river by Congress in 1972, the Buffalo National River is truly special because of how much public land can be accessed along both banks of the river, thereby allowing Explore Austin’s multi-day Summer Wilderness Trip. Explorers and Mentors carry all camping gear with them in their canoes, setting up camp each night further downstream as they make their way to the take-out point.
Mollie is a Trip Leader for Explore Austin’s Saturday Challenges throughout the school year and for week-long Summer Wilderness Trips.
Explained Mollie, “Once we leave the vans behind we are on the river for five days, and on the last three days it’s very rare we see another soul on the river or banks. The river is clear and runs slow and steady. If we need to cool off we can float in the river alongside our canoes. It has a few challenging rapids that help keep it exciting and on our toes. We camp on large gravel bars that have amazing views of tall, rocky bluffs. At night, the fireflies light up the banks and bluffs like tiny blinking stars. We often see bald eagles and golden eagles the last couple of days – my record so far is six!”
Mollie prepares Explorers and Mentors for the challenge of the Buffalo River with Saturday Challenges that begin with canoeing on Lady Bird Lake in the heart of downtown Austin. Paddling to Barton Springs, Longhorn Dam and other picnic spots allows them to become familiar with the basic skills and safety protocols. Then, they graduate to moving water on the Colorado River:
“This is when it starts to get more exciting for the Mentors and Explorers. We get to go down river for a six-mile trip and have lunch along the way. The river isn’t busy and you really get a feeling of being in the wilderness. Our last Saturday Challenge, focused on canoeing, is one of my absolute favorites. We take a trip to San Marcos and get to play on the spring-fed San Marcos River. The river has crystal clear water where you can see the fish, turtles, wild rice and rocky bottom. We paddle down to Rio Vista Rapids, a man-made dam, have lunch, talk about different river features, and, if the weather is good, swim or paddle down some fun rapids.”
Mollie also enjoys leading Capstone trips – Summer Wilderness Trips for Explorers and Mentors entering their final year in the program. Distinctively, the Explorers play a big part in the planning and execution of their final summer trip, drawing on their experiences and skill sets acquired during their first five years in the program.
In addition to canoeing, Mollie is a Trip Leader for backpacking and mountain biking trips.
Mollie led her first Capstone last summer in California for a team that wanted a multi-skill trip incorporating paddling:
“We camped out in the Desolation Wilderness the first couple of days and then made our way to Emerald Bay State Park for canoeing and hiking. I had led this group of Explorers and Mentors on two other Summer Wilderness trips and had the privilege of watching them grow in many different areas; leadership, communication and problem-solving skills were just a few of them. It is hard to describe how meaningful the last few days are between the Mentors and Explorers, and getting to be a small part of it will always be something I am proud of and thankful for.”
This July, Mollie is leading the 2025 F.O.X. team mountain biking in Idaho Falls, which features stellar views of the Teton Range, part of the Rocky Mountains. They’ll visit the top-rated mountain-bike area in the Big Hole Mountains, with each day allowing Explorers and Mentors to experience different types of track and distances, elevation gains, and a variety of nature, from rugged snow-capped mountains to peaceful meadows, and from creeks and rivers to mixed aspen-and-pine forests.
Resilience, through all seasons – it can be uncommon to come across in everyday life, but out in the wilderness with Explore Austin’s teams, Mollie sees it regularly.
“My favorite, most common memories, are the ones when you can see that an Explorer or Mentor is almost defeated or frustrated and then the whole team comes alongside them and encourages and supports the person to be successful. At the ‘circle time’ in the evening, the person who overcame the challenge not only gives themselves a shoutout, but the whole team does as well.”
And Mollie can’t wait for another summer of memories.
We have recently welcomed 3 new members to Explore Austin’s Board of Directors: Brad Garner, Lenar A. Cantu, and Adrienne Sturrup. We’re excited to add these dynamic professionals to the Explore Austin team. Get to know Lenar below and keep an eye on our social media for more!
What led you to getting involved with Explore Austin?
What led me to get involved, by joining the Board, is knowing how the program personally impacted the 2015 team and my life. Without the Explore program and my mentors, I wouldn’t be in the same situation today. As a Board member, I want to ensure that future Explorers continue to have similar experiences and see the change the program will make for them in the coming years.
What do you do for work?
I currently work part-time for the US Army and full-time in logistics for the Texas Military Department. I have worked at various levels for the last nine years.
What are you most excited about in working with Explore Austin?
I’m most excited to help the program grow in new ways that I hadn’t been involved with before. I’m also excited to see what direction the program takes.
What part of the Explore Austin ethos do you identify with the most?
“Leading with equity, we strive to remove barriers to restorative time in nature” is a part of the ethos I most identify with. As a kid, I always wanted to mountain bike and rock climb outdoors, but due to my family’s economic status, I thought it was something I’d never do. A few years later, I was mountain biking and rock climbing in places like Austin, Colorado, and beyond because of Explore.
How do you think about helping others and giving back?
I think of helping others and giving back with my time and work.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m an alumnus of the Explore Austin program and a past Explore Austin guide [Trip Leader].
What is one of your favorite outdoor adventures you’ve been on?
One of my favorite outdoor adventures is multi-pitch climbing in Potrero Chico, Mexico, with lots of my close friends and even some of the people who led me through some of my Explore Austin Summer Wilderness Trips.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I’m excited to be involved again and to help Explore Austin in a new and different way.
We have recently welcomed 3 new members to Explore Austin’s Board of Directors: Brad Garner, Lenar A. Cantu, and Adrienne Sturrup. We’re excited to add these dynamic professionals to the Explore Austin team.
How did you get involved with Explore Austin?
A colleague of mine, who shares my passion for youth development, introduced me to the organization. Her passion for the mission and work and her hope for the organization’s future encouraged me to pursue the opportunity to serve.
How would you define good leadership?
For me, leadership is not about exercising authority. It is more about leveraging influence. Good leadership is sacrificial, giving more than it takes, and it should ultimately seek to serve.
What do you do for work?
I work for the City of Austin, Austin Public Health Department.
What are you most excited about in working with Explore Austin?
National trends show that the impacts of the COVIID-19 pandemic have long-term effects on our young people’s mental health. In historically marginalized communities where mental health care is either inaccessible or highly stigmatized, Explore Austin is positioned to provide youth from these communities opportunities for experiential learning and the development of social and life skills that can help build their resilience and coping mechanisms. I want to be a part of that.
What part of the Explore Austin ethos do you identify with the most?
“Leading with Equity.”
How do you think about helping others and giving back?
Fundamental.
What’s a fun fact about you?
Not exactly fun, but often surprising to others – at 6’1″, I have never played any organized sports at the high school or collegiate level. Still, I have helped several people reach items off the top shelf at the grocery store.
We are please to announce that we have recently welcomed 3 new board members: Brad Garner, Lenar A. Cantu, and Adrienne Sturrup. We’re excited to add these dynamic professionals to the Explore Austin team. Get to know Brad below and keep an eye on our social media for more!
What led you to getting involved with Explore Austin?
My wife and I became involved in Explore Austin in 2016 at the Quest for the Summit event.We found that EA’s mission aligned with our values and were excited to be able to support the mission by becoming Pathfinders [one of EA’s multiyear giving circles].We supported the “Nature Freaks” Team for their entire 6 year journey, and were amazed at how they matured and grew during that time.
What do you do for work?
I am self-employed in the commercial real estate business.
What are you most excited about in working with Explore Austin?
The ability to help grow the organization.
What part of the Explore Austin ethos do you identify with the most?
Explore Austin Ethos
We approach our mission with excitement, believing that making the time for fun cultivates self-discovery and restoration. Leading with equity, we strive to remove barriers to restorative time in nature. We boldly embrace change and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our community. We value the journey – joyfully celebrating our wins and courageously learning from our losses. Fostering a space of trust and belonging, we establish a culture of commitment, understanding, and gratitude.
I identify the most with “the restorative time in nature.”As an avid fly fisherman, I find that the time I spend outside and on the water is so valuable as it allows me to forget about all the day-to-day stresses and just relax and enjoy nature.
How do you think about helping others and giving back?
I was raised in a family that always gave back to the community.I have been fortunate in my life to be successful in business and in family, so I feel that helping others and giving back has become an integral part of who I am.
What’s a fun fact about you?
We have a 28’ travel trailer and love to spend time traveling around the country.
What is one of your favorite outdoor adventures you’ve been on?
Flyfishing in the northern Patagonia region of Argentina.
Congrats to everyone who competed in the first annual ATX Paddle Dash! We’re so glad you came out. We can’t wait to do it again next year.
Here are the race results from this year’s Competitive Division:
