Staff
HAAKON LANG-REE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Haakon joined Achieve Tahoe in 1992 as a volunteer ski instructor and has been a part of the organization ever since. He took over as Executive Director in 2013. Haakon has a background in Human Resource Management and two degrees from Stanford University. He has an innate knack for bringing the staff and volunteers together as a team and leading them with professionalism and enthusiasm. Haakon enjoys sharing his love of sports with people of all abilities.
Contact Haakon
(530) 581-4161 Ext 1
CINDY SMITH, ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Cindy joined Achieve Tahoe in 1991. She is a graduate of University of California at Davis (BS Human Development and Elementary Teaching Credential) with experience in teaching and office management. Her focus at Achieve Tahoe is all things administrative, and then some! Her organizational skills, energy, and positive customer service keep the organization running smoothly.
Contact Cindy
(530) 581-4161 Ext 2
MICHAEL HUNTER, PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Michael started at Achieve Tahoe as an intern in 2007. Michael holds a degree in Recreation Therapy from Lehman College, The Bronx, NY, and certifications from the American Canoe Association and the Professional Ski Instructors of America. He puts his experience and education to use by managing all of our program delivery throughout the year. Michael enjoys sharing his passion for outdoor adventure sports with our diverse team of volunteers and participants.
Contact Michael
(530) 581-4161 Ext 4
MARINA GARDINER, GUEST SERVICES DIRECTOR
Marina started with Achieve Tahoe as a participant and learned how to monoski in 2000, and joined as a staff member in 2011. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of California, Berkeley and dual Master’s degree in Art History, Theory and Criticism and Art Administration and Policy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Marina leads our team of friendly reservationists, coordinates group scheduling, outreach and communications. She is a Tahoe native and enjoys assisting our participants in experiencing the freedom and joy of outdoor recreation in Tahoe.
Contact Marina
(530) 581-4161 Ext 6
SCOTT BEHRENS, PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Scott first started with Achieve Tahoe to support his son Bryan in adaptive skiing. Scott joined the team as a snow sports instructor in 2016. Scott holds degrees from Dartmouth College and the University of Chicago. Scott’s ambitions are now directed towards coaching participants, educating volunteers, and improving program delivery. Having seen the positive impact of outdoor activities on his son Bryan, Scott is dedicated to sharing the same with others.
Contact Scott
(530) 581-4161 Ext 8
JOSEPHINE CORMIER, COMMUNICATIONS AND PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Josephine joined Achieve Tahoe as an intern in 2019 and has been one of our full-time snowsports instructors for the past two winters. She received her degree in Religion from Dartmouth College in 2017. She then moved to France where she taught English to French undergraduate students. Though she liked teaching in a classroom, she quickly realized that her true passion was teaching outdoors and making the outdoor activities she loves inclusive and accessible to all. Josephine leads our communications and delivers programs.
Contact Josephine
(530) 581-4161 Ext 3
RISA MATSUMURA, GUEST SERVICES AND PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Risa joined Achieve Tahoe as a reservationist in 2020. Risa holds degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology, a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences, and a certification in African Studies from the University of Georgia. She initially got involved in adaptive programs when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Risa manages reservations, outreach, fundraising, and teaches lessons, in hopes to share her love for the outdoors with others.
Contact Risa
(530) 581-4161 Ext 10
DEMI LATHAM, PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Demi joined Achieve Tahoe in the 2018-19 winter season as an intern and has been hooked ever since! After being born and raised in California, Demi earned degrees in Outdoor Education and Sport and Recreation Management from New England College (’17) in Henniker, NH. Between graduating from school and finding her way to Achieve Tahoe, Demi spent four years as a white water raft guide in Colorado and as a naturalist throughout California. She is excited to continue her passion for sharing knowledge and love for the outdoors.
Contact Demi
(530) 581-4161 Ext 12
ELIZABETH KOEWLER, VOLUNTEER & PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Elizabeth joined the Achieve Tahoe team during the winter 2018-2019 season. She grew up with an older sister with disabilities, which inspired her to pursue a career in this field. She received her B.S. in Recreational Therapy at Sacramento State and soon thereafter accepted an internship with us. Not even the immense amount of shoveling that took place that season could deter her from joining us as a seasonal staff the next couple years. Elizabeth is now working year-round as the volunteer coordinator and could not be more excited about it!
Contact Elizabeth
(530) 581-4161 Ext 13
LAUREL HOWE, PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Laurel joined Achieve Tahoe in 2019 as a winter intern and has been involved ever since, instructing ski lessons in winter and volunteering with hiking in summer. She studied at the University of Vermont and received a degree in Community and International Development and Special Education. Laurel is passionate about making communities and outdoor recreation more inclusive for all abilities, especially in the Tahoe area. She is excited to share her passions with others as a Program Coordinator at Achieve Tahoe!
Contact Laurel
(530) 581-4161 Ext 11