Staff

Laura Beardsley has dedicated her career to supporting and guiding nonprofit organizations that help change lives and inspire individuals to care about the natural world including Outward Bound Philadelphia, NatureBridge, the Yosemite Conservancy, and Friends of the Inyo. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College, she first served as a volunteer instructor with DSES before joining the staff. A keen hiker, skier, biker, and lover of the outdoors, she is committed to enhancing opportunities for adaptive recreation in the Eastern Sierra while supporting the entire DSES community. She lives in Crowley with her husband and their dog, Clyde.

Cara Leonard is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and moved to the Eastern Sierra after earning a degree in biology from the University of California Santa Barbara. A passionate skier from an early age, Cara started working and skiing in Mammoth in the early 90’s. Cara has an extensive background in instructing, staff training and ski school management with the Mammoth Mountain Ski School and at Mount Hutt in New Zealand. She has also managed training and outside operations here at DSES. In addition to being a certified Alpine instructor and examiner she also has Adaptive and Nordic certifications. In her spare time she enjoys long distance running, teaching science classes at the elementary school and international travel with her family. Cara lives in an old house with her husband Dave and their children Jack and Tess.

Mark Spieler grew up as a typical Southern California kid in San Diego and Orange County. After a friend’s family took him skiing once he was hooked on the sport and the mountains. After graduating from SDSU with a BA degree in Applied and Physical Geography, he worked in Summit County, Colorado for one season and then moved to Mammoth Lakes, where he has resided ever since. Mark started with the Mammoth Mountain Ski School in 1986. A few years after obtaining his U.S. certifications he started supervising and training for the School. In the summer months he taught skiing and trained other Instructors at the Mt. Hutt, New Zealand and Blue Cow, Australia Ski Schools. His most recent position was Training Manager for the Mammoth Mountain Ski and Snowboard School, where he oversaw training for all of the school’s Ski and Snowboard Instructors. He holds PSIA (U.S.) Level 3 Alpine, Level 2 Snowboard, Level 2 Adaptive, NZSIA (New Zealand) Stage 2 and Coaches Level 1 Certifications. He is also an Alpine Examiner for the PSIA-W. Mark has now joined the DSES staff and is looking forward to sharing his knowledge of Skiing, Snowboarding and Teaching with all of the remarkable DSES Volunteers. He is also excited to expand his horizons into the area of Adaptive Snow Sports Instruction. Mark’s summers are now spent fishing in the Eastern Sierra, where he guides and teaches people how fly fish for the area’s beautiful varieties of Trout. Mark is married to Sandi Rowan, another long time Mammoth Ski Instructor and has two young daughters Kaylynn and Kendall.

Brendan Steinman is an Alpine Level 2 Instructor with PSIA. He comes to DSES with 8 years experience at the Mammoth Ski and Snowboard School. His good nature and passion for teaching recreational activities makes him a good fit for the DSES family. Having fun, teaching, learning and safety are his forte. You may even hear him singing in the halls or on the snow...

Originally from Anaheim Hills, CA, Emily Estremo has been skiing recreationally at Mammoth since she was about 5 years old. Emily graduated from California State University Fullerton in spring 2014 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in clinical exercise science and pre-allied health. She is working to apply to Master’s programs within the Occupational Therapy field. As a part of her graduation requirements, she took on the internship at DSES. “What a way to end college!” she exclaimed. Emily spent four years working at a children’s science museum in Southern California. “It really brought a love and need to teach children, but not in a classroom environment,” she said. “I have to be actively doing something and moving around, it is impossible for me to sit still for more than 20 minutes.” Emily loves the cold weather and said that being on a mountain is her paradise. Emily is a skier, but also recently started learning how to snowboard.

Originally from Central California, Chelsea Goodwin moved east to Yosemite National Park in 2015 to pursue her passions. She has experience in administrative work for the Yosemite Mountaineering School and the Nordic Cross-Country Ski Center at the Badger Pass Ski Area. She then spent a year in New Zealand in 2018, obtaining a certificate in New Zealand Alpine Resort Operations from Cardrona Alpine Resort. She enjoys travelling, hiking, backpacking, paddle-boarding and ice skating in her off time, as well as spending time with her boyfriend and her dog, Mickey.

Barb came to the east side in 2016, and has been living in Bishop ever since. After growing up in New England, she moved to California in 2014. She first taught outdoor science in southern California, then began mountain guiding out of Bishop. In the winters, she started to ski again - she grew up skiing and snowboarding at small hills in New England. Barb first volunteered with DSES in 2017-18. After that first winter of volunteering, she was excited to join the staff the following season! Then after a summer of volunteering, she joined the summer staff in 2020. Barb brings with her a passion for working with people - teaching them skills, connecting with each individual as best as possible and having fun in an outdoor learning environment. She has her PSIA Level 2 Alpine and Level 1 Adaptive certifications. Along with loving most all things outdoor related activities, she also enjoys petting friendly dogs and puzzles.

Born and raised on the California central coast, Ben Voss grew up with a love for the outdoors. Ben split his time between the ocean and the mountains where he cultivated a passion for sliding on water, both liquid and frozen. Becoming a certified ski instructor at Mammoth Mountain in 2008, he spent three seasons with the ski school and two winters coaching the All Mountain Chargers team. In 2006, Ben was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disorder, Crohn's Disease. He has gone through various forms of autoimmune therapy and management plans since being diagnosed. His life experience with the ups and downs of managing a chronic health condition has brought him an appreciation for what it takes to overcome life challenges in order to pursue dreams and passion for an active lifestyle. Ben feels grateful to share with others the magical experiences of surfing, snowboarding and skiing through the Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra program.

Wyatt Bettis was born and raised in Redondo Beach, California. He started skiing at the age of three and has been hooked since then. Wyatt was an intern with DSES the winter of 15/16 and finished up his Recreation Administration Degree at Humboldt State University. He was a staff instructor in the winter of 2019 and relocated back to Humboldt for the past few years due to Covid. He is back now as a year-round staff and a winter instructor. He is excited to be back and able to enjoy all the things the Eastern Sierras have to offer.

Emily Jones grew up in Ventura County, CA, visiting Mammoth Lakes often for summer and winter recreation. While finishing her Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology-Exercise Science, she came to DSES as a student intern for the 21-22' winter season. She has always been interested in adaptive recreation, with most of her experience coming from her time spent working at Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship, a non-profit organization that provides adaptive horseback riding! Emily also volunteered as a swim coach for Special Olympics, and completed coursework specific to adaptive exercise programming. After completion of her internship, Emily was delighted to join the DSES team as a year-round staff instructor! With her PSIA Alpine Level 1, BICP Mountain Bike Level 1, WFA, and LGT certifications, Emily looks forward to continuing to share her love of the many forms of outdoor recreation with others.

Jake Myhre has spent the last 10+ years of his life in the Sierra. He has enjoyed years of climbing, hiking, skiing and biking before joining DSES as a summer instructor. After growing up in Minnesota and graduating from Drake University he quickly moved west to Yosemite National Park. Starting his occupation at the High Sierra Camps deep in the national parks’ backcountry before becoming a backpacking guide, raft guide, photographer and videographer. Jake is excited to work with DSES and the adaptive community in the Eastern Sierra.

Nikki Lee grew up in South Lake Tahoe having started on skis at the age of 5 through local adaptive skiing programs and ski PE programs. After taking about a 10 year hiatus, she found the beauty of Mammoth Lakes and decided to revisit the world of adaptive sports. Her visit turned into a permanent stay as she became a volunteer instructor for DSES and made Mammoth Lakes her home. She obtained her PSIA adaptive certification as well as an alpine certification (as an adaptive skier). Skiing is where her heart is, but when the snow melts she enjoys hiking, cycling, paddling, and sunshine. Nikki lives with her partner and two dogs at the newly acquired Fern Creek Lodge and is awaiting the arrival of their newest family member and first child in August 2022.

Sam Jones first joined the DSES team as a winter intern in the 21-22' season, and eagerly returned for the 22-23' season as a staff instructor! Originally from rural Pennsylvania, Sam spent her childhood skiing the east coast and supporting her family's farm. With a Bachelor's degree in Park Recreation and Outdoor Management and a minor in Sustainability Science from Penn State University, Sam looks forward to sharing her love of the outdoors with others. With her intense passion for alpine skiing and snowboarding, Sam hopes to continue her education in the world of alpine, adaptive, and the many more styles of sliding on snow.

Madison Sigmon is 22 years old and grew up in Los Angeles, CA. There, she has volunteered for Ride-On Therapeutic Horsemanship (horseback riding!) as well as worked as a surf instructor along the California coast. She has also worked for June Mountain in June Lake, CA for a season. Per her love of traveling, she has spent her time working in Australia and South East Asia for a year, as well as a winter season in Japan. In addition, she has spent her last year traveling around Mexico and Central America. In her off time, she enjoys surfing, snowboarding and traveling.

Dylan Hemmer is 23 years young and was born and raised in Manasquan, New Jersey. He recently graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor’s of Science with a concentration in Biological Sciences and Health Professions and is on the pre-med track with hopes to become an anesthesiologist. While at Penn State, Dylan instructed skiing for 3 years at Tussey Mountain and became PSIA Alpine Level 1 certified. Dylan is also the cofounder and Vice President of a local hometown non-profit that operates similar to a small scale ‘make-a-wish’ foundation for children with special needs. Dylan enjoys traveling, skiing, surfing, skydiving, and fashion in his free time, as well as drawing and has placed statewide in studio art competitions. In his gap year before applying to medical school, he was looking to combine his knowledge in skiing, medicine, and working with under-represented populations and is beyond excited to have landed across the country in California with DSES!

Cai Lepre has managed Second Chance Thrift Shop since 2013. She was originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. She moved to Mammoth Lakes in 1982 and has called this home ever since. Professionally, she has worked in the music business, print and runway modeling, tourism, interior design, real estate and sales and marketing. Her hobbies are hiking, dancing, fishing and skiing. She’s involved with volunteering for many organizations in the Mammoth Lakes community. Her son, Jesse, was born in Mammoth Hospital in 1986 and her daughter, Kalyn, was born in 1988. She raised both her children in Mammoth Lakes. She brings both her personal and professional experience to Second Chance Thrift Shop.