Club Leaders
Hoofer Outing Club Executive Board
President
Molly O'Connor
Howdy! My Name is Molly and I am so excited to be the Outing Club President for the next year! I’m a senior majoring in Psychology! I started backpacking when I was 13 and fell in love with spending time outside. I love to backpack and sea kayak, but I really love any trip that lets me get outside! Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at outingpresident@hoofers.org!
Vice President of Trips
Jace Addy
Howdy! My name is Jace, and I am a junior studying Environmental Engineering. My passion for the outdoors was ignited during a Rocky Mountains road trip in high school and I haven't looked back since. I spend most of my time backpacking and canoeing but I'm looking forward to taking advantage of all the other activities that Outing has to offer. If you have questions regarding spring break or any of our activities, reach out to vptrips@hooferouting.org!
Vice President of Instruction
Caroline Hess
Hey y'all! My name is Caroline and I am the Vice President of Instruction! I am a junior from Minnesota and am in the School of Nursing. I have spent my summers in Northwoods of Wisconsin and Minnesota canoeing and kayaking so the Outing Club has held a special place in my heart since freshman year. I went backpacking for the first time my freshman year with the Outing Club and have only loved it more! The Instruction Board is in charge of training new leaders and helping current leaders! If you are interested in leading or have any questions you can reach out to me at vpinstruction@hooferouting.org! I would love to chat with you! Peace on the waterways!!
Secretary and MWOLC Coordinator
Katy Wales
Hi! My name is Katy, and I am the Conference Coordinator for the 2024 Midwest Outdoor Leadership Conference (MWOLC) and the Secretary of the Hoofers Outing Club. I’m currently a sophomore at UW-Madison majoring in Kinesiology and planning to be a physical therapist. I've loved flouncing around in the outdoors since I was little, and I'm so excited to be planning the MWOLC and to lead more backpacking trips with the Outing Club! Feel free to reach out to me at secretary@hooferouting.org and to check out the MWOLC website https://midwestolc.wixsite.com/mwolc.
Treasurer
Wesley Blashka
Hello! My name is Wesley, and I am a 4th year student at the UW pursuing Spanish and Biochemistry. In Hoofers, I am currently the Treasurer, overseeing the Outing Club's website. I've always loved outdoor activities such as camping and kayaking from a young age, and Hoofers has enabled me to pursue and develop skills in these activities, including backpacking trips and kayaking adventures. These are my favorite things to do with the club, and I look forward to having you join me on a trip! Reach out to me at treasurer@hooferouting.org with any questions, comments or concerns!
Marketing Chair
Lauren Pettis
Hi! My name is Lauren Pettis, and I’m one of the Marketing Co-Chairs. I’m a junior majoring in Journalism and Spanish. My appreciation of the outdoors started with summers spent up in Northern Minnesota, but has really grown during my time in Hoofers. My favorite activities to do with the club are canoeing and backpacking, but I also love trying new activities and meeting new people! Feel free to contact me at marketing@hooferouting.org.
Land Safety Chair
John Hawkins
Hello! My name is John Hawkins, and I am a senior studying Political Science and Environmental Studies with a certificate in Sustainability here at UW-Madison. I am the Land Safety Chair, meaning I help oversee all land activities for the club. I've loved the outdoors ever since I was a little kid. Whether climbing trees or getting lost in the woods, I loved it all. Nowadays, backpacking has been my outdoor activity of choice. I love backpacking throughout the US and, most importantly, with the club, but I'd have to say one of my favorite places to go is New Mexico, especially in the Gila National Forest. One of my favorite parts of backpacking is teaching and showing others more about the activity, and Hoofers is the best place to do this! If you have any questions, you can contact me at landsafety@hooferouting.org.
Water Safety Chair
Caroline Rose
My name is Caroline. I am a graduate of the UW-Madison Geography Department, and I now work for the university as a cartographer. I am the Water Safety Chair, which means I oversee all of the paddling activities in the Outing Club, including quietwater canoeing, sea kayaking, whitewater kayaking, and whitewater canoeing. I grew up around canoes and kayaks, so when I came to UW-Madison as an undergrad, the Hoofer Outing Club felt like home. Contact me at watersafety@hooferouting.org.
Tech Chair
Shiva Senthil
Hey, I'm Shiva, and I'm the tech chair for this year! My main responsibility is running this website! I'm a senior majoring in chemical engineering and biochemistry. I've always been a fan of nature and have been on many trips with both family and friends. Hoofers has allowed me to make so many memories and meet so many people while continuing to enjoy the outdoors. My favorite Hoofers trip was backpacking in the Ouachita National Forest in northwest Arkansas over spring break. If you have any questions (or website suggestions!), feel free to reach out to me at tech@hooferouting.org.
Gear Manager
Daniel Niemi
Hey! My name is Daniel Niemi, and I am pumped to be Hoofer's Gear Manager. I am a freshman majoring in biology. My love for the outdoors grew from the many road trips my family embarked on and from the times I spent at my cabin in Northern Minnesota. Glacier National Park, the North Shore of Lake Superior, and the South Dakota Black Hills are some of my favorite places! My favorite Hoofers activity is anything that gets me outside, especially canoeing. If you have any questions or want to reach out, please do at equipment@hooferouting.org.
Hoofer Ambassadors Liaison
Grace Parker
Yo! My name is Grace Parker and I'm the Hoofer Outing Club's Ambassador Liaison. A little about me: I'm a junior majoring in genetics & genomics and my hobbies include reading, guitar, and playing soccer. I fell in love with the outdoors while going camping in the Boundary Waters as a kid and will take any chance I can get to be in nature. Backpacking is my fav hoofers activity but I'm always up for any kind of adventure. You can reach me at outing@hoofersambassador.org with questions, comments, concerns, or just to chat. :)
Social Co-Chairs
Brock Wilson
Yo! My name is Brock Wilson and I am your Social Chair! I got my associates of science majoring in advanced manufacturing automation technology at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana. I grew up in a rather rural area and got to experience the wilderness at a young age. Mushroom hunting being my favorite activity. I like to go hiking, bike around the city, and longboard when the weather is right. Hit me at social@hooferouting.org with any questions and/or ideas for activities and events!
Emily Dzierzak
Hi everyone! My name is Emily and I’m so excited to be this year’s Social Chair! I’m a freshman studying Environmental Studies and Spanish. I started camping when I was in elementary school and have loved it ever since. I love to backpack but I’m open to trying and going on any trip. Feel free to reach out at social@hooferouting.org with any ideas or questions!
Hoofer Outing Club Instruction Board
Live Session Coordinator
Srini Ramu
Heyo! I'm Srini, the Live Session Coordinator for the Instruction Board. I'm a sophomore studying Chemical Engineering. My love for exploring led me to the outdoors in Scouting, and I have been there since! I love to backpack and canoe and hope to try new things in Outing. If you're interested in leading any trips in the future, reach out to instruction@hooferouting.org!
Project Co-Chairs
Chris Fisher
Hi everyone! My name is Chris, and I am Project Co-Chair! I’m a graduate student getting my Masters in Business Administration in the Wisconsin School of Business. My love for the outdoors began in Scouting and I’m excited to continue my outdoor experiences in hiking, backpacking, and film photography. Feel free to reach out at instruction@hooferouting.org.
Katya Leek
Hey everyone! My name is Katya and I am a junior studying biology and Russian. I have always loved exploring and learning about the outdoors- from backpacking to mushroom hunting, I’m there! I grew up exploring national parks with my family and I’m looking forward to many more adventures with the Outing Club. Feel free to reach out at instruction@hooferouting.org!
Hoofer Outing Club Activity Chairs
Backpacking Co-Chairs
Caroline Renn
Hello everyone! My name is Caroline, and I am one of the Backpacking Co-Chairs. I’m a senior studying Wildlife Ecology, with a certificate in Environmental Studies. I spent most of my youth outdoors (special thanks to my parents for that) going camping, kayaking, skiing, backpacking… you name it! I love being on trail and obviously, making/eating food in cool places. Some of my favorite locations I have been to are Tongass National Forest, the Oregon Coast Trail, and the northwoods of course. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions at backpacking@hooferouting.org.
Genevieve Bertalot
Hi there! My name’s Genevieve and I’m a junior currently studying Cart-GIS and Geography, and I couldn’t be more stoked to be making up ½ of the snazzy duo chairing backpacking this year! The backcountry is definitely where I feel the most at home and I’ll take any excuse to use my free time canoeing, skiing, hammocking, gardening, and of course, backpacking!! Though I’ve always loved the outdoors, I’m super passionate about getting folks who are new to wilderness tripping engaged with the club and making fun, accessible, and memorable experiences for more members of our campus community! If you’re looking to get involved, backpacking is a great place to start! I’m here to be a resource, so don’t hesitate to contact me at backpacking@hooferouting.org with any questions! Happy trails!
Canoeing Co-Chairs
John Wiehl
Hello! My name is John Wiehl and I’m a junior studying psychology. Starting this semester, I will be one of the two canoeing co-chairs, meaning that I will oversee all things canoeing which includes lessons, trips, and maintenance. I was introduced to the outdoors from a very young age. Since I was not the type of kid that could sit still, I grew up hiking, canoeing, camping, and fishing a lot with my family. As of today, not much has changed as I still have a passion for being on the water and in the back country, however the people I now love to do it with are hoofers! The things I love the most are backpacking the Pacific Northwest, fishing in the boundary waters, or cooking anything you could imagine in the backcountry! One of my favorite things about leading is sharing my passion with others and providing others with the knowledge and accessibility to have a passion in the outdoors as well! You can reach me at canoeing@hooferouting.org if you have any questions, awesome trip ideas, or just want to chat. See you around!
Rose Eisenmenger
Hello! My name is Rose Eisenmenger and I am a junior studying Spanish on a pre-med track. I am one of the Canoeing Co-chairs and am super excited to lead some canoeing trips as well as empower other leaders to lead awesome trips! I have always loved being in and around the water, whether that means being in a canoe, kayak, or jumping in freezing lake Mendota in the winter. My favorite part about Hoofers is the community of people who are always up for a variety of adventures. I look forward to future adventures with y'all! Feel free to reach out at canoeing@hooferouting.org.
Conservation Co-Chairs
Alex Yun
Hey! I'm Alex and I'm a sophomore majoring in Math and CS (and maybe physics?). I'm a big backpacking enthusiast, so I also love making and maintaining sick trails! I’m one of the trail building co-chairs this year (along with Sophie)—feel free to shoot us an email at trailbuilding@hooferouting.org if you want to talk service!
Sophie Kuehn
Howdy! My name is Sophie, and I am one of the Ice Age Trail Building Co-Chairs. I’m a senior studying
Conservation Biology from Milwaukee, WI. My favorite places to work (and recreate) outdoors are
Denali National Park, Chugach National Forest, and the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. I love digging
tread, building trail structures, felling trees, and getting my hands dirty! Please reach out with any
questions at trailbuilding@hooferouting.org.
Cross-Country Skiing Chair
Ben Johnson
Hi everyone! My name is Ben, and I am the cross-country skiing chair! I am currently in my fifth year of studying mechanical engineering with a certificate in leadership. My love for the outdoors began with me hiking at nearly every national park west of the Mississippi River, I enjoy cross-country skiing, canoeing, paddling whitewater, sea kayaking, backpacking, biking, and more. You can contact me at xcski@hooferouting.org.
Mountain Biking Chair
Megan Seiler
Heyo! My name is Megan and I’m a Junior studying Atmospheric and Oceanic Science. I love meeting other people to go on new adventures with and watching them become more confident in the outdoors. I like all things outdoors, from sea kayaking to backpacking, but my favorite thing to do is ride bikes. You can find me shredding on my favorite trails in Copper Harbor, MI on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior. Recently, I’ve enjoyed spending my summer as a mountain bike mechanic/guide. If you want to chat about anything bikes, reach out to me at biking@hooferouting.org.
Sea Kayaking Chair
Casey O'Connor
My name is Casey O’Connor and I am the current Sea Kayaking Chair! While I am new to the club, I am excited to get our Hoofers out on the water. I am a senior studying physics and environmental studies. I am an avid volleyball player, swimmer, and of course, kayaker. I adore to be out on trail or on Lake Superior; I'll take any excuse to get out in nature. Feel free to reach out to me at seakayaking@hooferouting.org
Snowshoeing Co-Chairs
Vivi Andersen
Hey y’all! My name is Vivi and I’m a freshman studying French and Linguistics. I am one of two snowshoe co-chairs, and I’m so excited to get some fun snowshoe trips going this year! I love all outdoor activities, but hiking and snowshoeing are nearest and dearest to my heart:) I’m so grateful to have found Hoofers and the wonderful community of people who make it what it is. If you want to talk snowshoeing, contact me (and Audrey!) at snowshoe@hooferouting.org.
Audrey Catlin
Hey y’all! My name is Audrey and I am one of the snowshoe co-chairs for Hoofers this year. I am a Freshman studying Spanish and Biochemistry, and I am looking forward to spicing up my winter with some fun snowshoeing. I am an outdoor enthusiast, and I love backpacking/hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing (of course). If you are looking for a way to spend some time outside this winter, get involved with the cool people at Hoofers, or just chat about why snowshoeing is the coolest, please contact me (and Vivi) at snowshoe@hooferouting.org.
Trail Running Chair
Trenton Davig Huesmann
Yo! My name is Trenton Davig Huesmann and I'm a junior studying biochemistry, hoping to become a Pediatrician. I have been running all my life, so being the Trail Running Chair is a great time! My love for the outdoors started by spending countless summer days at my family’s cabin. I always was (and still am) the one to take the more difficult route on the trail. I like the challenge! My favorite place to be outdoors is in Big Sky Country in Montana. The Hoofers is an awesome place to be, so don’t hesitate to reach out to me at trailrunning@hooferouting.org
Telemark Skiing Chair
Jack Plasterer
Hi, my name is Jack Plasterer, and I chair Telemark skiing. I’m a GIS-grad student (you could say I view the world as one giant map). I got involved with Hoofers because I love the outdoors, and wanted to get involved more in activities like hiking, canoeing & kayaking, skiing, and snowshoeing. While I have skied both cross-country and downhill since I was a kid, I never thought I would combine both those passions in the form of telemark skiing. One memory I have from Tele skiing was first learning to ski, not having it at first, only to get the hang of it, and get to know some really cool fellow hoofers. I look forward to skiing with you! teleski@hooferouting.org
Whitewater Kayaking Chair
Braidy Beagle
Hey! I'm Braidy, I'm a junior majoring in chemistry and philosophy. I am the whitewater kayaking chair! Even before I can remember, my parents were taking me on hiking trips throughout Wisconsin and occasionally out east as well. Once I turned 8, my dad and I started going on whitewater rafting trips anywhere we could. Unsurprisingly, I thought whitewater was sick and I wanted to do more. Turns out, there's whitewater in Wisconsin! I'm always looking for people to paddle with or even lead whitewater trips with me so please reach out if you're interested at whitewater@hooferouting.org! Whether you've never paddled before, or you've been paddling your whole life, I'm looking forward to getting on the water with you all!