Downhill Devils – 10/25 – Reno

Jim Najima spent numerous years working in the field of environmental protection in the states of Nevada and New Mexico.  Jim always enjoyed skiing and spending time on snow and began a part time career teaching snow sports. After fully retiring from his career in environmental protection and regulation, Jim gravitated to snow sports full time. His three decades of teaching/coaching young athletes bought him the most joy.  Most of his skiing life has been at Mt Rose Ski Tahoe as a ski instructor, coach and race team administrator.  He also received his Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP) and has assisted in the Skiing is Believing biking programs. Jim is the proud father of a son and daughter that excel in skiing, and both of his children, now young adults, coached for him during his tenure as ski racing administrator.  Currently, Jim spends his non skiing time with his children and friends golfing, skiing playing tennis and pickleball. Jim is excited to bring his years of snow sports experience, relationships and connections to the Skiing is Believing Foundation board.

Associate Attorney- Allison Mackenzie, Ltd.
Robert is a native Nevadan, born and raised in Reno.  He has been skiing at Mt. Rose since he was old enough to be dropped off at Rose Buds. Many years later, Robert served as a coach for the Mt Rose Falcons Ski Team. Robert attended Oregon State University and Boyd School of Law before returning to Reno to begin his career.  In his spare time, Robert enjoys working in his shop, building ski themed projects, and occasionally driving a trailer to transport SIB equipment. He also enjoys all forms of digital media and is almost guaranteed to quote something you have never heard of. Robert is honored to serve on the SIB Board and support its growth in the community.

CCC-SLP, CSI, COM
Rebecca has spent all but the first 3 years of her life in Northern Nevada. She has a master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Nevada, Reno. With 15 years of experience in public education, she opened her business, Nevada Education and Therapy Solutions in 2015. Rebecca is a lifelong learner who did not have the opportunity to experience sports and physical activity other than skiing as a child. As a speech language pathologist, her professional life is mainly sedentary. In 2021, it was through relearning to ski to become a certified ski instructor that the importance of movement became abundantly apparent. In addition to her favorite sport of skiing, Rebecca spends time mountain biking, which she has learned through adult classes with Skiing is Believing. She enjoys taking walks, hiking, doing yoga and Pilates and has tried roller blading with limited success. She will be taking future Skate to Ski classes with SIB to grow her skills. Rebecca has experienced the physical and mental benefits of movement and believes all children should have access to movement activities and sports for overall health benefits.

Conner grew up in Crested Butte, Colorado, racing mountain bikes both in downhill and cross country, as well as coaching mountain biking for a number of years there. He also grew up freeride skiing and trail running. Conner moved to Reno recently for both a change of scenery, and to attend The University of Nevada, Reno. He is super stoked to be a part of the SIB team!

Outside of work you can find him riding, running, skiing, or really using nearly any excuse to simply be outside and in the mountains!

Ellie was born in Clovis, California and then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ellie has lived in Reno for the last 15 years and has enjoyed a childhood full of sports and physical activities in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Ellie attended Galena High School and graduated in 2023 and now attends The University of Nevada Reno. Ellie plans to graduate in 2026, hopefully with a certificate in veterinary medicine.

Outside of school, Ellie races mountain bikes for Reno Devo and coaches for the Galena mountain bike team. Additionally, Ellie also enjoys spending time with her family and working at a local veterinary clinic. In her free time, you can find Ellie skiing at Mt. Rose, biking and or hiking the beautiful trails in our area, and traveling as much as she can. Tawny, her rescue dog, and Willy, her golden retriever, keep her lively and active also!

Ellie loves working for Skiing Is Believing because she enjoys being around kids and spending time outdoors;  with Skiing Is Believing she gets to do both!

Born and raised in Nevada, Quincey was used to beating the Las Vegas heat by swimming or
playing indoors. During high school she found her passion for archery; connecting with her team
and going to championships. However, prone to sunburns and busy with school, Quincey lost
some of her passion for the great Nevadan outdoors. After graduating from high school with a
desire to stay in the state, she started her college at Truckee Meadows Community College
where she is pursuing undergraduate credits in Sociology. Quincey realized she wants to spend
her time helping others improve their emotional wellbeing and way of life. As a young adult in a
new city, she started to rediscover her love for the outdoors. With cooler summers than she’s
used to and new friends by her side she started to get back into old hobbies like, biking,
rollerblading, and now a new hobby: skiing. She spent her first winter in Reno getting closer to
the snow, continuing to improve her skiing and worked for Sky Tavern on the weekends. During
the summer she will renew her love for sports and the outdoors with the benefit of sharing that
love with a younger generation!

From the moment her boots clicked into her bindings at the age of 1.5 years old, Bri has had a strong passion for skiing, and for sports in general. Growing up in San Jose, CA, and making her way to Reno, NV for college, Bri has used her passion for sports, especially skiing and softball, to make a home here in Reno. In an attempt to meet new people since she moved to Northern Nevada without knowing anyone, Bri decided to apply for a job at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Her job at the local ski area simultaneously allowed her to make new friends and get more time on the slopes. Bri has now worked at Mt. Rose for 5 seasons and has since achieved her Level 1 Alpine Cert. with the Professional Ski Instructors of America. She loves every minute she is on the mountain and even spends most of her days off there sliding on snow for fun! She recently was awarded employee of the year in the Children’s Ski School. In the summer season, Bri coaches softball and has fun playing new sports and trying new things in SIB summer camps as a camp counselor. When she is not teaching skiing, working out, or playing softball, she can be found hanging out with her dog, Nugget. Brianna recently graduated with a degree in Business Marketing from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree to become a school counselor. Bri has found that sports are her true passion and wants to help share her love of sports to a younger generation through Skiing Is Believing. Bri is also a BICP Certified Ride Leader.

Sadie Whiteley is a born and raised Nevadan. She grew up on the Mount Rose Ski Team and got her first job as a coach for them after she stopped racing. Skiing has always given her confidence. This is one of the reasons the Skiing is Believing goal of helping kids learn self esteem through skiing, and other sports, resonates with Sadie. Yoga, Pilates and softball are also hobbies of Sadie’s and they help keep her body in shape for ski season as well as clear her mind. Sadie also currently works for DL Freight Solutions in the accounting department. Prior to her current full time job at DL, she worked at Sierra Sage Academy with the young women in their Right of Passage program. She met Meghan, the owner and founder of Skiing is Believing, while working for the Mt. Rose Ski Team where she is a Level 1 certified Professional Ski Instructor with PSIA-AASI. Sadie is also a certified Ride Leader with BICP. She is always looking forward to participating in new sports with the children in the Skiing is Believing camps. Sadie is a natural creative and is often the creator of many of the Skiing is Believing graphics. She is a bright, competent, empathic and patient counselor. SIB is honored to have her as a part of our team.

Dave is a local Nevadan who grew up in Reno. He spent much of his youth backpacking and hiking with his dad all over the Western US, especially exploring the Sierra Nevada mountains. He taught himself to snowboard in his teens and has also picked up skiing during our recent epic winter. Dave graduated from The University of Nevada, Reno with dual degrees in International Affairs and Biology. He currently manages a core laboratory at The UNR medical school focused on Fluorescent Activated cell sorting and Flow Cytometry. As a child, Dave picked up mountain biking and has devoted much of his free time to the sport. He has spent hundreds of hours of his time riding trails all over the Sierra and around Reno. Odds are, if a local rider has a specific trail of interest, Dave has probably ridden it. He has competed in several local downhill and enduro races and is also proficient in repairing, building and maintaining mountain bikes. Additionally, he has been involved in local trail building efforts. Dave is passionate about getting more people into biking in all its forms for the health benefits and environmental impacts. Dave has two Labrador retrievers Layla and Belle who can often be found leading him down the trail toward some body of water. As a certified BICP Ride Leader and Level 1 Coach, Dave is excited to be a part of the SIB team and get more children active outdoors and on their bikes in the places he loves the most.

Gianna grew up in an agriculture driven town outside of Sacramento, California. She spent most of her time trying new sports that her dad introduced her to. It started with soccer and tennis at the age of 4. Then soccer became soccer and she also started playing volleyball, traveling all over the state for tournaments in both. In high school, she was team captain and played on varsity all four years of school. After HS graduation, she started school at the University of Nevada Reno where she studied elementary education with an emphasis in English for ESL learners. In college, she played ultimate frisbee, which combined the endurance of soccer with the patience of tennis. Shortly after her first semester in college, the outbreak of COVID guided her to spend more time outdoors rather than just on a field. Nowadays, you can find her on a trail, rock climbing, or playing ultimate and spike ball at the park. In the fall of 23′, Gianna will start her teaching career at Coral Academy of Science teaching third grade. Gianna is super stoked to be applying her love of sports and teaching through her camp counselor position with Skiing is Believing.

Trista was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and has spent her childhood traveling the US. She learned to skate while learning to walk, and grew up following in her father’s footsteps both playing and coaching hockey. She played competitive youth hockey up until pursuit of her Physics degree from University of Arizona. She currently coaches Reno Ice’s 12U travel team, as well as Reno Ice’s girls 10U/12U teams, women’s league and ice breakers (intro to hockey) class. Additionally, she works as the Outreach Coordinator at Reno Ice, and owns her own hockey company, Tookey Hockey LLC, which runs seasonal hockey camps. She works full time as a Software Developer for an aerospace company, but continues to seeks ways to incorporate skating in her life. As a coach, Trista’s top priority is providing an opportunity for everyone to develop their skills in a fun environment. Trista is thrilled to be a part of the Skiing is Believing team, and help others discover the love of skating, as well as other sports.

Sam, originally from North Dakota, now calls Nevada home. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Education from the University of Nevada, Reno. When not working with Skiing is Believing, Sam is dedicated to her role as a special education teacher with the Washoe County School District. She’s passionate about inclusion, supporting students and making a positive impact in their lives. Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and two dogs. In her limited free time, she loves playing hockey, softball, snowboarding, and engaging in functional fitness and CrossFit. An avid sports enthusiast, Sam played basketball, volleyball, ran track, and earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do growing up. Today, she enjoys cheering on her children, the Vegas Golden Knights and the New York Yankees.

Olivia grew up in Reno, NV with her sisters and many dogs. Growing up she was very active, always biking, running around, and participating in camps such as Skiing is Believing. She learned how to ski at a very young age and loved playing and participating in sports such as soccer, gymnastics, and club swimming. At ten years old, Olivia started playing volleyball and fell in love with the sport. Throughout high school she continued to play both for her school and competitively until her senior year when she coached multiple teams for her volleyball club. During her high school years, she also loved to swim for her school team and started to love yoga as well. Olivia is now a student at the University of San Diego where she loves to participate in the climbing club, yoga club, and volleyball club. She is so excited to be a part of the Skiing is Believing team so she can share the lifelong joy sports can provide.

Gary has recently joined Skiing is Believing as an administrative professional. Growing up just south of Philadelphia, he developed a passion for wrestling, snowboarding, mountain biking, and other sports. After the COVID pandemic, he decided to move out west to pursue opportunities in the ski industry and immerse himself in his favorite outdoor activities.

Outside the office, Gary enjoys embracing the great outdoors in all ways, making him a perfect fit for a company dedicated to skiing and adventure. His enthusiasm for these activities aligns seamlessly with Skiing is Believing’s mission, enhancing his commitment to being a great team member and sharing his love of outdoor activity with others.

Lucas Miers was born and raised in Reno, Nevada and grew up playing all sorts of sports. As he got older, he narrowed down his long list of favorites, to just three, skiing, biking, and lacrosse. Lucas attended Galena High School and graduated in 2021 and is currently attending the University of Nevada, Reno as a biology major. Outside of school, he races mountain bikes professionally. He is a third -year pro and has competed in many national championships. Lucas loves to travel and experience new things. He helps coach the Galena NICA team and also the Reno Tahoe Junior Cycling club rides. Lucas is a certified BICP Ride Leader & Level 1 coach. For Skiing is Believing, Lucas coaches Summit Camp and the Downhill Devils programs. His goal is to pass on some of his experience and skills to younger kids. Inspiring others is one of his biggest aspirations and doing it through cycling is even better!

Madeleine grew up in Reno, NV with a very active family. On the weekends, her family would go hiking, climbing, skiing, and or camping. The first sport she fell in love with was soccer. Then, she moved on to mountain bike racing for the Galena MTB team. Additionally, she ski raced for the Mt. Rose competitive team for many years. Currently, Madeleine attends Lehigh University as an IDEAS major and is involved in the fencing club and outing (outdoorsy) club. All of the sports that she has enjoyed have involved teamwork and helped her form long-lasting friendships with her peers. Madeleine hopes to help the campers find that same feeling of community and friendship with each other!

Kayla Kelley comes to us from Phoenix, Arizona. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management and Conservation, Kayla switched gears 😛 and began working as an adventure guide and mountain bike coach. This is where she found her true passion of helping people get from “Oh gosh I don’t know if I can do this” to “WOAH I JUST DID THAT!”. Outdoor sports are challenging, and when we choose to challenge ourselves in ways that are enjoyable, we fortify ourselves for the inevitable, and unenjoyable, challenges that life throws our way. This is why working on your mountain bike skills is working on life skills! Kayla is a BICP certified Level 1 coach and has 6 years of experience teaching adults fundamental mountain biking skills! When she’s not helping others learn, Kayla is dedicated to her own progression on the bike through racing. Currently she is participating in the California Enduro Series and the Northstar Summer Downhill Series. In 2023′ she is planning on completing her BICP Level 2 cert and is excited to coach more kids and adults skills on their bikes with Skiing / Biking is Believing!

Michael Esenarro was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Growing up in Norther Nevada Michael has been incredibly fortunate to be fully immersed in athletics and healthy movement from a very young age and in every season. He grew up competing in gymnastics, skiing, and playing baseball. He later transitioned to running track and cross-country throughout high school while also being a part of the ski team. He then attended Florida State University where he was casted in FSU’s Flying High Circus. Whether it was soaring through the air on the flying trapeze, walking across a solid steel wire, or holding onto his partner while hanging from his knees twenty-five feet in the air on the double trapeze, the circus exacted his focus and inspired pure joy. Michael’s passion for coaching was fueled by his time as a circus camp counselor, which allowed him to share his passion for circus with younger generations. After moving back to Reno, he was hired as a ski team coach and worked with the developmental program at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Currently, Michael is pursuing his Doctorate of Medicine at UNR Medical School. Michael’s connection to nature and active lifestyle has been completely transformative in his development and believes that exposure to sports and physical activity establishes diversity and balance in other aspects of life. Michael is a certified BICP Ride Leader and is thrilled to be a part of the Skiing is Believing team.

Noah was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada to an active family. From a very young age, Noah was encouraged to participate in a variety of athletic activities. Because of this, Noah eventually picked up the sport of Ice Hockey and played for 5 years and throughout high school. During those 5 years, Noah played on multiple competitive teams while also working as an ice hockey referee and teaching kids how to play the sport he already loved. While playing hockey, Noah also started to workout at a nearby functional fitness gym. Since joining said gym, Noah has fully immersed himself in the world of functional fitness and has earned his CF-L1. Noah now lives in Reno where he is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at UNR while also working as a K-12 STEM mentor. As a mentor, Noah loves working with kids and seeing the excitement in their eyes when they learn something new. In his free time, Noah enjoys playing piano, guitar, skating, hiking and also climbing. Noah is excited to be a part of the Skiing is Believing team so he can spread his passion for fitness and athletics to others!

Alex was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada where he would spend much of his time outdoors. Growing up in an active family, he was always outside hiking, running, or biking with his two brothers. His parents were also extremely fit and always encouraged him and his siblings to stay active and healthy. He continued to realize the importance of an active lifestyle in high school when he began working out at a functional fitness gym in North Las Vegas. Since moving to Reno, Alex continues to both live and learn the benefits related to physical activity. He is a recent graduate in Kinesiology at The University of Nevada, Reno and he is currently attending graduate school at UNLV to become a physical therapist. Alex also works at a local gym coaching functional fitness and weightlifting as a CF-L2 trainer. Alex is always looking for new opportunities to become better educated as it relates to health and movement. As a coach, Alex loves teaching people how to move safely and motivating them to reach their goals. He hopes to encourage many more people to get outside and move on a daily basis. In his free time, he enjoys working out, playing piano, riding his mountain bike, and exploring the outdoors. Alex is excited to be a part of the Skiing is Believing team to help instill in others the love of fitness, health and sport, all while having fun!

Josh grew up in Reno, Nevada playing in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Growing up, Josh was heavily involved in sports and was a part of the Falcons Ski Team at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe from the moment he was old enough to join. He also played a variety of team sports, soccer and baseball throughout high school, basketball through middle school, and football and tennis when he was younger. During his high school years, he focused intensely on his academics while also being a part of his school’s yearbook. He also spent multiple summers as a volunteer for Skiing is Believing and other organizations working with kids. After COVID, and a year of college at TMCC, he took a gap year to get back on task, review his priorities and goals, and has now re focused on his ambitions of school, work and enjoying spending his breaks doing one of the things he enjoys, helping and hanging out with kids.Josh is excited to be an official member of the SIB staff!

Keith grew up in Minden, Nevada at the base of the Sierras. Growing up, Keith was heavily involved in sports and the outdoor community with the sports of skiing, motocross racing, and backpacking. He also played various team sports like football, hockey and cross country. Keith is also an Eagle Scout. His Eagle Project created a interpretive garden for the Nature Conservancy. Keith graduated as a Paramedic from Truckee Meadows Community College and is a graduate of The University of Nevada, Reno. He is now preparing to attend medical school. He has thousands of hours serving in public safety including structure and wildland firefighting, emergency medical services and in public education. Keith holds many certifications in various fields such as Pediatric Advanced Life Support and International Trauma Life Support. Keith always serves with the safety of children in mind. During his free time, Keith spends a lot of time skiing and holds certifications as a Level 1 Professional Ski Instructor with PSIA. He has years of experience instructing children on snow, and now also on The Biggest Little Ski Hill. Keith proudly helped design and construct BLSH, which is Skiing is Believing’s mobile ski deck. In addition to time on snow as a Childrens ski instructor, he is also a ski patroller at a local ski area. As a hearing impaired individual, Keith has created valuable partnerships with organizations in the community that serve the needs of adaptive and hearing impaired athletes. Keith is ready to help impose the Skiing is Believing mission and create lifelong memories for children on The Biggest Little Ski Hill as well as the sport and community service programs offered through SIB camps. SIB is thrilled to have Keith as our reliable handyman as well as someone who always brings smiles and laughs to our team and those we serve.

Rachel grew up in Clovis, CA on an almond farm with her parents and younger brother. To pass the time she rode bikes and ski raced through high school. In 2004, she moved to Aspen, CO, and began a career racing downhill mountain bikes. Shortly after, she represented the USA Cycling Team in the Pan American Continental Mountain Biking Championships in La Parva, Chile. After two 3rd place finishes and becoming Colorado’s 4-Cross State Champion, she moved back to California to Lake Tahoe to pursue a life with PSIA-AASI on snow where she is an examiner and on the Education Staff in the Western Division. In the winter months, she maintains various positions at local ski resorts as a Tech Team member, training manager and kids ski school manager. She currently resides in Olympic Valley and teaches mountain biking at Northstar in the summer. She is excited to be a new member of the SIB team as a mountain bike program coach where she can share her love and knowledge of mountain biking with more kids and adults!

Richard Schreinert serves with dedication on the Board of Directors for the Skiing is Believing Foundation.
In 2006, Richard relocated to Northern Nevada, choosing this dynamic area to raise his three daughters, attracted by its family-friendly environment and the myriad of outdoor activities it offers. This personal connection to the region’s lifestyle mirrors his commitment at the foundation, where he champions the integration of outdoor sports and community development.
Richard’s community involvement extends beyond his professional sphere. He is an active member of the Reno Rotary Club and has been a steadfast participant in community service for over two decades. Since 2001, he has served on the boards of various organizations focused on youth education and sports. This longstanding dedication underscores his commitment to enhancing the lives of young people, particularly through education and skiing.
Richard previously worked as the Business Manager at Elder Group Tahoe Real Estate,, currently he is the Business Development Manager at Mannassi IT Solutions.. His professional expertise in this vibrant ski-centric community dovetails seamlessly with the foundation’s mission.

Meghan has been an extremely physical and active person her whole life. As a child, Meghan competed in many sports, her favorites being softball and competitive cheer. At the age of 18, she got her first paid job as a tumbling and gymnastics coach and has been involved in coaching various athletics since. Meghan grew up skiing, but not competitively. After college, she discovered competitive skiing and became an instructor and eventually, a coach. As an adult, Meghan realized if she had grown up without sport, she would be half of the woman that she is today. Soon after this life-changing revelation, Skiing is Believing camps and programs were born. Today she spends most of her time coaching children and instructing women on snow. She is a Level 200 U.S Ski & Snowboard Coach and a trainer at her local resort where she coaches and instructs full time in the winter. On snow, she is also a Level 3 PSIA-AASI certified ski instructor. For PSIA-AASI she also serves on the Western Region Board of Directors. Additionally, she is an ambassador of the Rollerblade ‘Skate to Ski’ Program and a Level 1-Skate IA instructor. When she is not coaching on snow, or instructing in the transfer sport of inline skating, Meghan also spends a lot of time coaching athletes at two local functional fitness and weightlifting gyms. She is a CF-L2 Trainer, a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach and a Certified Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer (ATA). On bikes, she is also a certified BICP Ride Leader. Meghan fervently believes in the power of physical activity to not only promote health within the body but also develop crucial life and coping skills that can be used in nearly any environment at any age. This belief is the foundation of all Skiing is Believing camps, coaching programs and after school activities. It drives the entire mission of everything Skiing is Believing stands for and does.
​
Learn more about Meghan and some of her work and travels here:
Meet the “Winning Women” headed to Brazil for the Women Win International Exchange Program
Join us for Meghan’s 5th Annual Charity Birthday Party: 2021 Pints & Pandemics
Reno Tahoe YPN 20 Under 40 reward recipient
Amplify Africa Presenter Meghan Ochs
Reno Powerhouse Fitness Coach
Find Her on Linkedin

J.D. B.S.
Craig is a proud member of the Board of Directors for the Skiing is Believing Foundation. Craig is a shareholder in the Fennemore law firm, a regional law firm with over 240 lawyers in five states. He is married, the father of two daughters, and is beholden to two dogs. He states that he is not particularly good at any one sport, but he keeps trying them all in hopes he will find one he is good at. Craig met Meghan, the President of the SIB Foundation and Director of Skiing is Believing, while she was training him in CrossFit. They found that they had a shared interest in skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, road biking, and martial arts. Craig, is not one to leave any stone unturned and has tried many more sports including running, tennis, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing and obstacle course racing. He has even taken Quarterback lessons from Cody Fajardo, former UNR QB and current CFL Quarterback. Despite all of this, he is still searching for that one that suits his skill set. The variety of what Skiing is Believing offers children and adults through their camps and programs matches Craig’s desire to always try new sports himself. Watching his daughters grow up with access to all that the Sierra Nevada has to offer made Craig want to help Skiing is Believing to help provide that opportunity for other children.

​MBA
Interim Executive Director, Sierra Veterans Research and Education Foundation
Danielle is a community advocate who works to educate and engage people about owning their health.  A native Nevadan, Danielle treasures the opportunity to work closely with academic institutions, hospitals, clinics, and nonprofits to broaden the range of treatment options for patients in our area.  Danielle joined the Skiing is Believing Board when she earned her MBA in 2021 after meeting the Founder in one of her classes.  In her free time she enjoys playing cribbage with her husband, teaching hot yoga, and hiking the Sierras.

Ashley currently leads Azure Deal Desk strategy for Microsoft. Prior, she was VP of Operations at a drone startup and data analyst for the United Nations. As an Ironman and former NCAA Division 1 team captain, Ashley is passionate about sports as well as the healthy habits and life lessons they impart on all individuals. In her free time, Ashley skis, mountain bikes (thanks to SIB), travels, and cooks but mostly eats.