Community Advisory Board (CAB)

The community advisory board was an initiative spawned from the feedback of our festival attendees. Rooted in community, the Board’s role is to be in support of the larger mission of Refuge. Community Advisory Board (CAB) members will help with the coordination of Refuge events and provide knowledge, guidance, and representation to virtual and in-person activities. CAB is not your typical board. This volunteer group of rockstars helps keep our signature festival true to its objective and makes sure we incorporate our community’s voice as we continue to design the festival. We encourage anyone interested in joining the community advisory board to volunteer at our events to get a feel for our company and values.

Interest can be denoted on our CAB interest form.

Who can be on CAB?

CAB welcomes new members who believe in our mission and are committed to centering BIPOC people in the work we do. We look for BIPOC members who offer unique perspectives, honor their commitments, and support a safe environment for the team. If that’s you, let’s chat!

What can you expect from being on CAB?

CAB is not a typical board, and that is intentional. We are a diverse team, committed to making Refuge Outdoor Festival a safe and welcoming space. At our monthly meetings, you can expect:

• Engaging, supportive, and collaborative discussions that emphasize connection.
• A space where diverse perspectives and honest feedback are valued.
• Decision-making on how we show up, serve our community and create meaningful change in the outdoor industry. 

Riana Gayle (she/her)

My name is Riana (Ree-an-uh) and I have the privilege of living, working, and wandering on the ancestral lands of the Shoshone people, also known as Northern Utah. I have an educational background in natural resources and a hands-on background in wildland fire, flood, and drought. I am a lifelong learner, but my current focus includes community factors affecting social and economic resilience, and baking.

My favorite outdoor activity is walking. Whether it’s around the block or up the side of a mountain, on a new route or an old favorite, there is always something new to be noticed and peace of mind to be gained.

My favorite Refuge moment is everything! The workshops, community members and general atmosphere is so inviting. I was drawn to the way Refuge centers BIPOC experiences and inclusivity in the outdoors and I have been a part ever since.

Stacey Gevero Swanby (she/her)

I currently live in Los Angeles, the land of the Gabrieleño Tongva, where I tend my flower and vegetable gardens. I grew up climbing trees and playing in streams in the Pacific Northwest near Mt. Rainier. For the last fifteen years I have worked in the museum field with a focus on making museums welcoming and accessible.

My favorite outdoor activity is kite flying! I keep a large tote filled with a variety of kites in my car so I’m ready whenever the wind picks up.

One of my favorite moments of Refuge Outdoor Festival was during the silent disco. I felt so grateful to be a part of Refuge as I looked up at the lights on the trees and around at people full of joy.

I am proud to be a part of CAB because I enjoy sharing my love of the outdoors and am thankful that I get to play a role in facilitating connection. I find so much connection and peace in the outdoors.

Jenni Liu (she/her)

My name is Jenni and I was born and raised in Washington. Though I will probably never get used to the rain, this is probably my forever home. I live my life as a healthcare provider, a ceramic artist, and the host/founder of Rain or Shine Market, with racial and social justice in mind, seeking to rethink systems, highlight and call out injustices, and actively working to reduce barriers to access.

My favorite outdoor activity is hiking. I hike until it snows and then I snowshoe and occasionally cross country ski.

My favorite Refuge moment is meeting such wonderful people and building community.

I joined CAB because Refuge is doing such important and impactful work for the BIPOC community and getting outdoors and I wanted to be involved with helping this awesome organization.

Chrisha Favors (she/her)

I have a genuine appreciation for the outdoors and a lifelong passion for education and empowering communities to feel safe and included in the outdoors. I love to garden, forage for mushrooms and wild edibles, hike, camp with my family and friends, volunteer with local nonprofits that align with my passions, and steward my 13-acre property located in Eugene, OR.

My favorite Refuge moment is when Outdoor Asian shared a hotpot meal with festival attendees. Community is an integral part of the festival and I was so thrilled to participate in this offering and build community through one of my favorite things, food!

I decided to join CAB to get a chance to work with the community to plan and execute a safe space for festival attendees. I work with Golden Bricks Events and am very excited to work for a company with a mission to create more diverse gatherings for folks who identify as BIPOC in the outdoors.

Hillarie Maddox (she/her)

I have a MS in Organizational Development, deep expertise in learning experience design, and have spent 10+ years building global, executive-level learning programs for some of the biggest companies in the world. In 2020, I left the city for a rural island off the coast of WA, and living close to nature changed the trajectory of my life. I have since left my corporate career to pursue writing, community building, and launch a business to help others connect with nature.

My favorite outdoor activity is gardening. There is nothing more grouding than sticking my hands in the earth and witnessing the magic of new life from the soil.

My favorite Refuge moment is having meaningful conversations about who we see represented outside. It’s so important to tell a broader range of stories to change the narrative of who gets to take up space outdoors.

I joined CAB because it is an incredible opportunity to lead with and learn from people who want to make the outdoors accessible to more people. At this moment in time, it is important for me to work with organizations that are centering BIPOC voices and experiences.