BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Katie Kemme is a veteran teacher in Cincinnati Public Schools and has been a member of the Adventure Crew Board of Directors since 2015, serving two terms as Board Chair.  She is Co-Chair of  the board's Program Committee, a member of the Executive Committee, and a long-time Paddlefest team leader.  She has also served as an Adventure Crew School Advisor since 2014.  

Over the past decade, Katie has spent countless hours on Explorer trips -- hiking, kayaking, biking, skating, camping, and exploring the outdoors with Adventure Crew teens.  In addition, Katie has assisted in leading students on two Trailblazer canoeing and camping excursions, in 2021 to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota and in 2022 to the Owakonze Outpost in Canada.  As a teacher actively participating in adventures with students, Katie contributes first-hand perspectives regarding student impact, organizational programming, and partnerships. 

Katie believes that time in nature can provide individuals healthy opportunities to experience joy, challenges, commoradorie, self-reflection, and even healing. She has witnessed students grow in confidence, develop grit, and foster friendships during their time with Adventure Crew.  She also deeply believes in Adventure Crew's role in helping develop future stewards and advocates of the environment.  Some of her former students have gone on to become environmental educators, public services employees, and Outdoor Specialists with Adventure Crew. 

Katie also serves on the Management Board of the Camping and Education Foundation (since 2022) and, when not teaching or volunteering, spends her time traveling and enjoying the outdoors with her husband and two dogs, Rebel and Brewster. 

Ron Smith is a founding member of the Adventure Crew board, being asked personally by founder Denny McFadden to serve (when it was known as Outdoor Adventure Club). Ron was the original advisor for Robert A. Taft Information High School (Cincinnati Public Schools), a role he enjoyed for several years. Ron has always enjoyed being outdoors, whether it was camping when he was in Boy Scouts, being a summer camp counselor for several years, canoeing/kayaking, hiking, or just getting out on his vintage bike and riding a variety of road trails. Currently, teaching elementary school science and social studies, he can be found going out with The Crew on numerous weekends throughout the year.

I’m an outdoorsman and a river rat! I spent my childhood exploring the South River in Virginia, Buffalo Bayou in Houston and the mighty Mississippi in New Orleans, all within walking distance from my house. In high school I bought a canoe and took friends on paddles and overnight campouts on the Little Miami River. I still do that, and in retirement I enjoy sharing my love for the outdoors with our Adventure Crew teens!

My wife Greta and I live in Sycamore Township. See you outside!

Lisa Benzinger is the CEO and Owner of The PLI Group, a cabinet and countertop fabrication company located in Milford OH. Lisa began her career at Deloitte after graduating from Xavier University. She then worked as an Internal Auditor at Chiquita Brands before joining Barnes Dennig working exclusively with not-for-profit organizations for eight years. As her family began to grow, she returned to Xavier University now working in the finance office. Her passion for the less fortunate drove her to become the Chief Financial Officer at Depaul Cristo Rey Highschool in Cincinnati for five years.  Lisa’s drive of financial strength and relationship building drew her to a career in Mergers and Acquisitions for Capital Tactics. During Lisa’s time at Capital Tactics, she found the opportunity to purchase The PLI Group where she serves at the CEO and every other position the role requires.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys any fitness challenge. She has completed three half Ironmans and one Ultramarathon. She enjoys hiking with her four boys and husband in all locations of the world.

Paula has been a leader at Humana Healthcare for over 17 years. As Senior Sales Manager, she leads a team responsible for growing and retaining Medicare plan membership and serves as the Wellbeing Lead for the Midwest region. With a deep passion for public health and sustainability, she brings extensive experience in building healthier, more connected communities.

Beyond her professional role, Paula finds great joy in mentoring young adults and has spent the past two decades inspiring and supporting youth. She has facilitated wellness programs for high school girls, helped launch a track team, and organized her children’s elementary school’s first-ever walkathon. As a soccer and volleyball coach, she has encouraged kids to embrace teamwork and an active lifestyle. Paula also served on the board of Children’s Hunger Alliance, championing initiatives to combat childhood hunger.

An adventurer at heart, Paula loves traveling the world, hiking, running, exploring national parks, trying new foods, and cheering at sporting events with her family and friends.  She brings to Adventure Crew her passion for exploration, her commitment to community, and her belief in the power of outdoor experiences to transform lives.

www.linkedin.com

Heather’s lifelong passion for connecting with the natural world through engaging outdoor adventures began early—at age eight, when she won a pony in a Name-The-Pony contest. Learning to ride and care for that pony sparked a deep love of horses and ensured a lasting enthusiasm for great  adventures in the outdoors.

Heather holds degrees in Biology (B.S.), Nutritional Science (M.S.), and Zoology (M.A.), which together reflect her dedication to understanding the living world and promoting healthy, sustainable communities.

Heather excels at planning, creating, and promoting immersive experiences that connect people to nature and to one another. This passion and skill set make her a strong asset to the Adventure Crew Board, where she has served as a trip leader, Board Member, and currently, Board Chair.

When she isn’t in Cincinnati, Heather and her husband Jeff can often be found traveling to visit their three active adult children or exploring new places around the world—continuing to learn, grow, and find inspiration in the beauty and wonder of our planet.

A retired Manufacturing Executive with a career rooted in the insulation and windows industry, I’m a proud University of Cincinnati Chemical Engineering graduate. My wife Michelle, also a UC grad, and I have had a wonderful life together raising two beautiful daughters and now enjoying four grandchildren.

In retirement, I’m active on the finance committee for Adventure Crew, following all UC athletics, exploring the outdoors through hiking and backpacking, snow skiing and fishing/boating. I also enjoy cooking and grilling for family and friends.

Gerry Seavo James is a community planner, storyteller, and advocate for equitable access to nature. As Deputy Director of the Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All Campaign, he leads national efforts to expand equitable access to nature and public lands. He founded Explore Kentucky while in college to connect people to Kentucky’s waterways, trails, and natural heritage through storytelling and recreation: work that inspired his broader focus on inclusive outdoor access and community revitalization.

Gerry also leads the Outdoor Recreation Design Lab, a consultancy advancing equitable design and rural transition projects, and serves as president of the Kentucky Conservation Committee. With the American Canoe Association, he helped launch its Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives and supported the creation of the Community Paddlesports Leader designation to expand access to leadership opportunities in paddling. His cultural and interpretive work includes revitalizing Cherokee State Historic Park, Kentucky’s only state park designated for African Americans during the Jim Crow era, where he helped reinvigorate its Friends Group, develop the Coach Lester Mimms Trail honoring the parks' first superintendent, produce a film about the park, and organize the Segregation in Recreation Symposium. Since 2016 he has supported the paddlesports races as part of Adventure Crew's Ohio River Paddlefest event.

An Air Force veteran, social artist, and photojournalist, Gerry holds a B.S. in Mass Communications from Campbellsville University and lives in Frankfort, Kentucky with his wife, daughter, and their dog, Everest.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Alex has called Cincinnati home since 2012 and now lives in Newtown with her wife, Tara, their son Theo, and their two dogs, Mila and Lilo. With a background in communications and a master’s in Urban Sustainability, Alex has built a career rooted in education, sustainability, and community engagement. She currently leads the Sustainability Department at the University of Cincinnati and coordinates sustainability efforts for PigWorks.

Alex first connected with Adventure Crew through her work in sustainability and was immediately drawn to its mission of connecting teens to nature. As a board member, she brings a strong commitment to equity, outdoor access, and community building. She’s an avid adventurer who enjoys biking, backpacking, kayaking, and rock climbing—and she’s especially happy anywhere near the ocean. Alex is excited to help shape Adventure Crew’s future and share the joy of the outdoors with the next generation.

Jeff Spanbauer is an award-winning entrepreneur with nearly 30 years of experience in growing businesses, leading teams, and data-driven marketing. He co-founded Relevate Health, scaling it through four private equity-backed acquisitions and consistent double-digit growth. 

He is also an owner of two minor league baseball teams and serves on multiple boards, including Relevate Health, Revelocity Sports, Launchpad Vision, and True North. Jeff actively gives back as a volunteer board member for Adventure Crew, Man in the Mirror, and Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati.

Jeff began his career at Procter & Gamble and Pfizer, holds a BS from North Carolina State University and an MBA from the University of Illinois, and is passionate about culture-driven business success. Outside of work, he enjoys family time, outdoor activities, travel, and live sports.

Meredith Whitehead is a seasoned community development leader with over 15 years of experience driving equitable investment and advancing economic mobility. As the founder and CEO of The Cedric Group, she has led national and regional initiatives that build local capacity, foster collaboration, and expand pathways to opportunity.

Currently serving as Executive Director of Norwood Together, Meredith continues her commitment to creating thriving, inclusive communities through strategic development and resident-centered growth. A Leadership Ohio alum and proud University of Cincinnati Bearcat, she brings both vision and practical expertise to her work at the intersection of community, policy, and economic opportunity.

I’m a lifelong adventurer with a deep love for the outdoors and for sharing it with others. I grew up exploring Cincinnati’s parks, rivers, and trails, and today you can still find me running along the Ohio River, swimming in open water, or hiking through Great Parks. My connection to Adventure Crew began with the Bill Keating Jr. Great Ohio River Swim, an event close to my heart and my family. Now, as a board member, I’m proud to help open the door to outdoor experiences for teens across our city.

Additionally, I work at The Kroger Co, serve as a Commissioner on Great Parks of Hamilton County Board and cheer on the Reds! I live in Mt Lookout with my partner, Doug, and our two greyhounds, Ranger & Pete.  See you on the trails! 

Jerry spent his career working as a naturalist, biologist and environmental scientist focused primarily on Ohio River water quality issues.  His love for the outdoors started as a young boy catching frogs and snakes and whatever moved in a rural-suburban environment.  Growing up in an out-door family, he spent many summers tent camping, fishing and hunting with his family members.  His passion for nature continues today as he takes every opportunity to help others understand and appreciate nature, our environment and learn from his passion and experiences.  

Jens Sutmoller is a public affairs consultant with over 15 years of experience guiding government, non-profit, and political organizations across Ohio. As the founder of JS Strategies, he has helped dozens of public institutions — including school districts, libraries, hospitals, mental health boards, and others — earn public trust and voter support for critical community initiatives.

Jens has led winning public affairs and levy campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels, representing a wide range of clients from statewide ballot issues and city governments to education and environmental organizations. The Cincinnati Enquirer featured Jens as “the most important man in local politics you’ve never heard of,” recognizing his behind-the-scenes leadership and impact on community success stories.

A graduate of Miami University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Economics, Jens lives in Walnut Hills with his two sons (Augie & Hugo), partner (Megan), and border terrier (Hachi).