Leadership Team

Austin Dannen

Executive Director
Austin is from Spokane, Washington and joined Peak 7 in 2009. He has been a committed member of the team ever since, serving as a guide, coordinator, program manager, and director. He is passionate about communicating the love of God, and sharing his enjoyment of the outdoors with youth. He loves spending time with his family, traveling and exploring the world, and having fun with friends. Austin lives in the Spokane area with his wife, Anna, and their son, Isaac.

Jenny Weddle

Operations Director 
Jenny is a Washington State native, growing up hiking, fishing and spending countless hours outdoors. After meeting her husband of 28 years, Ken, as students at Moody Northwest, they started a family, welcoming three sons in 4 years. As a family they have served as the onsite camp administrators of UGM Camp since 2002. Jenny is passionate about youth advocacy and outdoor recreation, making Peak 7 the perfect fit. In her spare hours, Jenny can be found adventuring with Ken, solo hiking in the great PNW or introverting with an excellent book.

Shelley Allen

Finance Director
Shelley was born and raised in Spokane, where she met her husband Peter while in High School. Along with Washington, she’s lived in Arizona and Indiana all while raising 4 children. Her first real outdoor adventure was a spring break trip with Outward Bound Adventure in Canada. Shelley and her family enjoy camping and boating wherever they currently call home.

Taylor King

Program Director
I was born and raised in Alabama backpacking in the woodland forests. The outdoors has always provided a great deal of clarity and understanding in my life. I learned at a young age that getting outside would give me a big dose of the “feel goods”. It was through outdoor adventure that my body and mind began to heal, always returning with a different perspective about what I was facing in my life. My passion to work in the outdoors felt unreal and not attainable and I never put a lot of thought into pursuing it. After years of moving around the country seeking jobs that I thought I needed, a mentor flew me out to climb Mt. Rainier. After that trip one of my guides encouraged me to explore some of my passions in the outdoor industry. When I found out about Peak 7 I could hardly believe something like it existed. It absolutely changed everything about what I thought was possible for my future. The culture and community surrounding Peak 7 has had an everlasting impact on me and I consider it a great honor to now be in the program role helping to create programs that might inspire others.

Paige Bogdanoff

Program Administrator
Paige felt the call of change during the COVID-19 shutdown, realizing she was missing the mark of a deeply formed life. Seeking healthy changes one step at a time she left her old way of living to start fresh in a new city and state. In 2021, she moved to Spokane with the intent of becoming closer with her sister and embracing new opportunities for growth. Here in Spokane the wilderness has become second nature to her, where she goes to process and pray. Paige values challenge, acknowledging that while God may not visibly be active in every circumstance, His sovereignty reigns over all things. Her life verse, Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This scripture is her compass as she navigates life, guiding her to pursue excellence in the small, every day habits that lay the foundation for lasting transformation. Alongside her husband, Paige is passionate about cultivating a life that honors God. She is eager to foster a sense of community in Spokane serving with Peak 7, always seeking to encourage others on their own journeys

Sarah Dahl

Development Coordinator/Spokane Guide
Sarah is a Spokane local with a deep love for Jesus and the mountains. As a former Peak 7 guide, she witnessed firsthand how the organization’s programs deeply impact youth, while also learning and growing alongside these kids. As a dedicated youth leader at her church, Sarah is committed to encouraging and discipling the next generation. Through her many adventures in the PNW mountains she has found comfort in a God who's thoughts and ways are so much greater. In her role as Development Coordinator, she is excited to strengthen and build Peak 7’s community and financial foundation, working to cultivate relationships, resources, and opportunities that support the organization's mission. When out of the office, Sarah enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, reading, and connecting with others over a good cup of coffee.

Challenge Course Facilitators

Emily Spring

Challenge Course Facilitator
Born and raised in Spokane Washington, Emily Spring was never too far from the PNW. It has never been just one trip, one experience, or one time, that Emily didn’t find herself in aw of the beauty that is the outdoors. From backpacking to rafting, to rock climbing and camping, Emily has done it all and is constantly trying new things. Luckily, Peak 7 has always offered those opportunities for outdoor experiences, based in faith, to help strengthen Emily’s relationship with Christ. Continuing her love of challenges and trying new things to push herself, Emily is hoping to complete a 5k, a 7k, and a half marathon, all in one year. Working towards this goal is a stretch, but nothing is impossible. Emily was a Peak 7 Junior Guide in high school, and has deep roots working with youth at UGM Camp since her teen years!

Justin Houtz

Challenge Course Facilitator/Program House Parent
Justin grew up in the world of camp ministry in Colorado and the mountains of Arizona. In this environment he cultivated a deep personal love for nature and adventure. Into his teen years he worked in various roles at the camp and that world became part of his DNA.
The moment he knew he wanted to help others discover the wonder of God's creation was in high school when he planned and guided a group of friends deep into the Grand Canyon to explore Havasupai (still the most beautiful waterfalls in the world in his humble opinion).
After graduating Bible college He continued a career in youth/outdoor work. In Colorado he worked several summers as an activities director and eventually started a non-profit boys home serving young men who grew up in the foster system and had become homeless. His brother worked for Peak 7 as a guide and with some nudging convinced Justin to move across the country and serve as Program Coordinator. The idea of a faith-based outdoor company that provided intense and authentic encounters with God and nature was too good to pass up. After serving with Peak 7, Justin spent 6 years at the YMCA in various roles finishing as the school age/day camp program director. Since then adventures have looked like a 1-year trip around the world, getting married to his beautiful wife, Lauren, becoming a professional pilot and starting growing family as he and Lauren serve as house parents in the Peak 7 program house.

Our 2025 Summer Guide Team

Averie Golladay

Spokane Guide
Averie was born and raised on a farm in Warden, Washington where she became the first person in her family to attend college, moving to Spokane to study at Gonzaga University. She loved every minute of it and became the place that cemented her passion for service and youth mentorship, all which led her to the Peak 7 community. Moving to Spokane also allowed her to see the outdoors as more than just endless acres of farmland, as the countless camping, hiking, and fishing trips she has spent with her friends let her see how big (and small) the “outdoors” really are! Averie graduated from GU in May of 2025 and is looking to pursue a career in school counseling!

Emmaline Sylvester

SUP Concession Manager
Born and raised in Spokane, Emmaline has a deep passion for teaching; especially working with refugee, immigrant and underprivileged populations. She also finds great joy in experiencing the beauty of God’s creation. Whether it’s polar plunging in the Spokane River, snowshoeing on Mount Spokane, skiing at Lookout Pass, playing the ukulele at John Finch Arboretum or paddle boarding at her friends lake house, the outdoors have always been a place of refreshment, reflection and connection to God.
Emmaline holds a degree in Creative Writing and ESL from Eastern Washington University and recently completed her Master’s in Teaching at Whitworth University. In the fall, she is excited to begin teaching English as a Second Language for refugee and immigrant students in Buckley, WA. She is thrilled to serve with Peak 7 this summer, combining her love for serving and encouraging young people, outdoor adventure and sharing the redemptive power and hope of Jesus. Emmaline believes and has experienced first hand that time in nature and encouraging voices absolutely has the power to heal, restore and reframe our perspectives, cultivate resilience and awaken us to the truth that we are far more capable than we often believe. She is eager to help others experience that transformation.

Launa Evans

Spokane Guide
Launa was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, where she attended Gonzaga University. She works at a local coffee shop, Indaba, and enjoys connecting with her community. Launa enjoys camping and traveling to new places, anywhere from the Grand Tetons to the West Coast. Launa started volunteering this winter with Peak7 and fell in love working with the youth in her city and growing in her faith in the Lord. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, and climbing, but she also has a passion for reading, writing, and cooking. Her desire to explore God's creation and work with the youth led her to commit this summer to guide with Peak7. Launa is excited to work with a program rooted in Christ, while taking the youth on memorable trips exploring God's creation and overcoming fears as a team.

Sam Ramirez

PAL Coordinator
From California, Samuel, or Sam for short, grew up in SoCal for 18 years of his life before moving out to Spokane in 2023. Sam has always been on the camping scene, doing local trips with his family and friends. He found his love for nature and the outdoors when taking a 3 day hiking trip in Yosemite with his Uncle. Sam’s love for the outdoors led him to volunteer with Peak 7 as a way to get experience with the Spokane area. Learning more about Peak 7’s impact on the community and their belief in faith has brought Sam to join the Peak 7 community and make an impact on others. Lastly, Sam plans to become a Physics Teacher and bring his knowledge of physics to the Peak 7 community!

Kody Weddle

Spokane Guide/Challenge Course Facilitator
Born in Spokane, raised in the middle of nowhere, Kody has always had a passion for the outdoors. Whether it’s kayak fishing, mountain biking or mountaineering, he is always looking for the next adventure. Peak 7 stood out to Kody as a close knit community of friends and family that has a focus of creating positive, faith-based environments for people to come together and experience adventures together. Outside of Peak 7, Kody works as a caretaker for a faith-based non profit summer camp for at risk youth.

Aubrey Woods

Spokane Guide
Aubrey was born and raised in Lewiston, Idaho before she was called to relocate to Vancouver, WA with her sister for 9 months. Now back in Idaho, God opened a door to Peak 7 through a friendship in Vancouver (Mekina!!!). Aubrey was practically raised on the Snake River. From fishing, camping, jet-skiing up crazy rapids and going on rafting trips, she enjoys everything outdoors. Obviously, Peak 7 was a huge appeal to her. Not only outdoors-based, but most importantly, Peak 7 is faith -outed. She hopes to share her faith and testimony to further spread the good news of Jesus, while enjoying the beauty of God’s creation in many forms. Aubrey has a dream to pursue a career in music as a vocal performer and use the talents that God has given her. While working with this team for the summer, Aubrey plans on performing live music at local venues in her spare time.

Eleanor Bonikowsky

Spokane Day Trip Manager
Eleanor, from Snoqualmie, WA, fell in love with the outdoors her freshman year of college when she started climbing and ended up winning the women’s division at a climbing comp at Whitworth—she’s been hooked ever since! She’s stoked about Peak 7 because it’s the perfect blend of two of her biggest passions: climbing and sharing the love of Jesus with youth. Looking ahead, she hopes to find a path that brings her joy and allows her to serve God—right now, that journey includes a lot of time on the wall.

Anna Sproule

Spokane Guide
Anna is a Washington state native having lived most of her life on a farm just outside of Spokane. Growing up she spent a lot of time outdoors, exploring, going on backpacking trips with her family and help on the farm. After high school she moved to New Zealand to attend a 6 month Bible school, it was there that she decided to combine her love for people, adventure and the Lord by working in outdoor ministry. After working the first few months of 2025  at an adventure program in New Zealand, Anna is excited to be back in her home town and working for Peak 7 this summer! Peak 7’s mission to make outdoor adventures accessible to everyone and to share the love of Christ really stood out to Anna. She’s excited to see what all this summer holds and see the ways the Lord works in her life and in the lives of all people who get to experience adventures with Peak 7. In her free time you can often find Anna spending time with friends and family, mountain biking, reading books and enjoying a good cup of chai or coffee.

Mekina Tapio

Seattle Guide
Growing up outside of Vancouver, Washington with a family who loves adventure, Mekina cultivated a love for the outdoors at a very young age. This love for being outside has only grown with every hiking, backpacking, or skiing adventure she goes on. The only thing that brings Mekina more joy than being active in nature is her love for Jesus. God got a hold of her heart during a discipleship school with YWAM, and since then her greatest desire in life has been to follow Jesus wherever He leads. Serving as a youth leader at her local church the past 4 years, God has given Mekina a passion for seeing young ones know the Lord and experience His love and beauty. This opportunity to work with Peak 7 this summer feels like a gift—an intersection of her greatest passions in life. Getting to invite others into seeing the glory of God through His creation and experience the growth that comes through overcoming challenges is such an exciting role that she knows will be life-changing. Her future goal is to step into whatever God has next, possibly pursuing a degree in teaching or entering the mission field.

Jack Odone

Seattle Guide
Hi- I am Jack Odone!
I am from Camas, Washington, but lived in England and Germany for 7 years while my dad was stationed overseas. I am an Eagle Scout, and have loved getting to do outdoor adventures and grow my skills.
Peak 7 speaks to me because I want to bond with kids through the outdoors and hopefully talk with them about their life and Jesus.
A goal I have is to get my degree in Political Science from Whitworth University and maybe become an attorney so I can help people who are underrepresented and need help.

Anna Howland

Seattle Guide
Anna spent the first years of her life exploring the outdoors with her dad in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Through quiet mornings watching beavers and long hikes in the woods, she grew to recognize God's presence in the world around her. As an adult, Anna has sought to deepen her relationship with God and point others to Him by experiencing the outdoors alone and in community. Highlights of her backpacking career include spending three weeks on the Mountains to Sea Trail of North Carolina with family, leading a troupe of campers on the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota, and hiking with peers in the Grand Canyon. Anna believes that people take immense benefit from outdoor experience - physically, mentally, and spiritually. She was inspired by Peak 7's mission to bring under-resourced youths into the outdoors and give them the chance at a life-changing experience meant to show them Jesus Christ. Anna hopes to continue exploring, to grow in outdoor leadership, and to finish her degree in Environmental Science (fingers crossed). Wherever God is leading, that is where she wants to be.

Elizabeth Hanthorn

Spokane Guide
Elizabeth was born and raised in Canby, Oregon and moved to Spokane in 2021 to attend Whitworth University. She recently graduated with a B.S in Health Science with minors in Theology and Psychology. After her summer adventures with Peak 7, she plans to obtain her Dula certification and apply for a Masters of Nursing program. Growing up, her family outings always consisted of some sort of outdoor activity - rain or shine. Her fondest memories of the outdoors are of raft trainings with family and friends on the Deschutes River in Maupin, Oregon. She dreamed of being a raft guide for as long as she can remember and now the river is her happy place. Peak 7 combines outdoor adventures and gospel community, making it the perfect place for Elizabeth to grow in her walk with the Lord and share God’s love with students.

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