About Balanced Rock
Our Story
Balanced Rock developed over 25 years ago from a promise that grew into a dream—to create space for deep healing and connection to nature and spirit.
Watch this video to meet our co-founders Heather Sullivan and Eliza Kerr, who share their own profound healing journey in Yosemite and the story behind the vision they brought to life.
Meet Our Staff
Our team at Balanced Rock is a playful group of inspiring adventurers, skilled at living and loving life in connection with the wilderness!
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Heather Sullivan
CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Meg Olsen
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
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Paula Wild
DEVELOPMENT & GRANT PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
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Darcy Blackburn
PROGRAM SUPPORT COORDINATOR
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Makaya Mackie
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ASSISTANT
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Heather Bromberg
REMOTE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
Our Guides, Instructors, & Collaborators
Accomplished musicians, artists, naturalists, yogis, healers, chefs, and free spirits—our Balanced Rock instructor, guides, and talented collaborators will help you feel safe, comfortable, and nurtured in the mountains or the yoga studio!
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Andie Thrams
Grant Collaborator • Workshop Facilitator
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Anna Friedland
Grant Collaborator • Artist
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Ariana Noelke
Retreat Chef
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Bethany Matsumoto
Yoga Instructor
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Dr. Breezy Jackson
WildYoga Teacher Trainer • Yoga Instructor • Wilderness Guide
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Brieann Powell
Workshop Facilitator
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Brittany Kitchen
Yoga Instructor • Support Guide
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Catherine Wortmann
Yoga Instructor • Wilderness Guide
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Clara Baena
Yoga Instructor
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Clay Muwin River
Grant Collaborator • Workshop Facilitator
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Darcy Blackburn
Yoga Instructor • Wilderness Guide
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Dennis Eagan
WildYoga Founder & Teacher Trainer • Retreat & Workshop Facilitator • Wilderness Guide
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Eliza Kerr
WildYoga Teacher Training Instructor • Yoga Instructor
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Emily Chandler
Retreat Facilitator • Yoga Instructor • Wilderness Guide
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Erin Markham
Yoga Instructor • Sound Healing Practitioner
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Erin Wang
Yoga Instructor
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Jana Kilgore
WildYoga Teacher Training Instructor • Retreat Facilitator
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Janaki Patel
Workshop Facilitator
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Jenni Buckzo, LPCC
Grant Collaborator • Workshop Facilitator
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Jessie Bening
Yoga Instructor
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Josh Holmes
Wilderness Guide • Yoga Instructor
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June McCrory
Grant Collaborator • Workshop Facilitator
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Koren Stewart
Retreat Facilitator • Yoga Instructor
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Kyra Taylor
Yoga Instructor • Wilderness Guide
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Luca Pieretti
Support Guide
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Lupin Amstutz
Support Guide
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Mia Esquivel
Workshop Facilitator
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Nat Kendall
Retreat Facilitator • Yoga Instructor • WildYoga Teacher Training Instructor
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Paola Arboleda
Yoga Instructor • Wilderness Guide
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Ryan Evans
Sound Healing Practitioner
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Schuyler Greenleaf
Yoga Instructor
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Talia Fishbein
Yoga Instructor
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Theresa Ho
Grant Collaborator • Workshop Facilitator
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Ursula Min-ne-ah Jones
Grant Collaborator • Workshop Facilitator
Our Board of Directors
Our board members are the wisdom keepers of our organization, come from a myriad of lifestyles and experiences and are dedicated to the Balanced Rock mission.
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Maggie Jones
PRESIDENT
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Kimiko Martinez
VICE PRESIDENT
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Monte Meyers
TREASURER
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Marcia Hodges
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
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Anne Baxter
BOARD MEMBER
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Peter Van Kuran
BOARD MEMBER
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Robb Hirsch
BOARD MEMBER
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Britta Dyer
Board Member
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Eliza Kerr
CO-FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS
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Yvon Chouinard
MEMBER EMERITUS
Rooted in Service Since 2000
Balanced Rock is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering connection, wellbeing, and transformational experiences through nature, movement, creativity, and community.
As a nonprofit, we prioritize programs that are mission-driven and intentional—reinvesting resources back into our community and scholarship opportunities to ensure our offerings remains accessible and inclusive.
Interested in joining our team?
Balanced Rock is made up of guides, instructors, coordinators, creatives, and wisdom-keepers who believe in the transformative power of time in nature, embodied practice, and meaningful connection.
We’re always curious to meet people who feel called to this work. If you’re interested in collaborating with us or being considered for future opportunities, we’d love to hear from you!
