Our Team
Staff
Executive Director
Madeline Brooks
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Madeline joined On Belay as the Executive Director in November 2021. Madeline came to On Belay with an extensive background in nonprofit work, youth development, and experiential education. Her breadth of experience ranges from children's ski instructor, mental health clinician, and corporate consultant. She has an MBA and Master's in Social Work from the University of Denver.
Madeline has joined the On Belay team, excited to work towards reaching even more kids across NH, ME, and Northern MA, raising awareness of the On Belay mission among community members and corporations, and growing On Belay's fundraising efforts. The On Belay mission is near and dear to Madeline; she loves sharing stories of the organization's impact on others. She is happy to meet anytime if you have questions or want to learn more!
When not spreading the word about On Belay, Madeline loves doing all things outside, including road cycling, hiking, backpacking, downhill skiing, and fly fishing. Madeline is a St. Louis native and came to New Hampshire with her husband in 2020 after living in Colorado for eight years.
madeline@on-belay.org
Senior Program Director
Mason Burke
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Mason started as Program Director with On Belay in March of 2022. With a BSBA focused on management and organizational leadership and a double minor in outdoor recreation management and leadership, Mason has the perfect blend of practical business knowledge and a love for the outdoors. He is a seasoned adventure trip leader, having led many trips in the Northeast, Utah, Nevada, and California. Mason gained experience with youth programming as the Assistant Director of a local day camp called Camp Fireside in Barrington, NH. Mason is excited to bring his knowledge and expertise to the On Belay community.
Mason is passionate about developing young people's sense of confidence and leadership. His mission revolves around encouraging others to pursue their goals and passions (or "Personal Legend" if you've read The Alchemist). Furthermore, Mason believes outdoor recreation is one of the best places to find friendship and community, develop self-knowledge, and escape some of the world's stresses. Mason hopes to foster these experiences with the On Belay community and continue to support kids in finding their inner resilience.
Outside On Belay, Mason enjoys climbing at the gym and outdoors, paddling his canoe on Great Bay, and downhill skiing. He is a seasoned outdoor adventure trip leader, Wilderness First Aid certified, and a Gear Guide for Eastern Mountain Sports. Mason lives in Dover, NH.
mason@on-belay.org
Program Coordinator
Alison Smith
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Alison has spent over a decade designing and facilitating programs for youth, college students, and adults, specializing in leadership development, experiential learning, and social emotional learning. She holds a Master’s degree in College Outdoor Programs Administration from Appalachian State University. When not facilitating or coaching, Alison is typically on an adventure outside with her dog, Huckleberry. She is excited for this opportunity to work more with On Belay and to connect with families through adventure!
Programs@on-belay.org
programs@on-belay.org
Program Coordinator
Mira Disilvestro
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Originally from the Ocean State, Mira studied Fine Art at a liberal arts college in Maine before dedicating herself to outdoor education. She has worked as a field instructor with the Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School, guiding Boston Public School students through immersive learning experiences on the harbor including, but not limited to, challenge course fun, coastal exploration, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and environmental engagement. When not out in the Boston Harbor Islands, she spends her time backpacking in the New Hampshire White Mountains, surfing on the Rhode Island coast, running along the Charles River, and spending time with family and friends. She has a lifelong passion for sculpting, painting, and pottery and enjoys incorporating art into outdoor exploration. She is excited to bring her creative approach and love for the outdoors to On Belay, empowering youth through challenge and adventure!
programs@on-belay.org
programs@on-belay.org
Overnight Adventure Co-Leader
Jen Antocci
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Jen Antocci has over six years of experience in nonprofit program coordination and youth engagement, along with more than a decade of teaching experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, specializing in Community Health Education. Jen has worked with an outdoor education nonprofit dedicated to equitable access to outdoor recreation and nature and served on the education team at the National Parks of Boston, where she collaborated with schools and community organizations to design and lead programs that connect Boston-area youth with their public lands. In addition to her full-time work, Jen teaches a public health communications writing course for UMass Amherst public health students. Outside of work, she enjoys singing, dancing, and parking her chair at a beach. She is currently pursuing her Alexander Technique teacher certification through the Mind Body Music School.
info@on-belay.org
Overnight Adventure Co-Leader
Megan Iverson
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Megan graduated from UNH with a Masters in Outdoor Education and Recreation Management. She has a strong background and mastery of facilitation and outdoor adventure education. She brings positive energy and expertise to the team. Megan is certified in Wilderness First Aid and is a Wilderness First Responder. She has traveled extensively and hiked tall peaks in Chile, Argentina, Colorado, and Utah. Megan worked as a guide for Avid4Adventure where she led backcountry ski trips in Colorado. She worked as the Gear Room Manager for UNH Campus Recreation, and currently serves as a caretaker for the Maine Island Trail Association.
info@on-belay.org
Board of Directors
Board Member
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Youth and College Program Manager, Project Adventure
Camille joined the Board in 2019 after many years of working On Belay programs from the professional partner side. Her full-time work is with Project Adventure, where she serves as the Youth and College Programs Manager along with her facilitation and training work. She has been in the adventure-based learning field for over 10 years, starting back at Hartwick College, where she studied English and Creative Writing. It was there, at Hartwick’s PA-built challenge course and their Awakening orientation program, that she fell in love with adventure education and the transformative experiences it provides. She has also volunteered for Northeast Association of Experiential Education (AEE) each year since 2015, helping to organize and host the Northeast Regional Conference. In 2021, Camille spent a year as a paraprofessional for students with social emotional needs at O'Maley Middle School in Gloucester, MA. When she isn’t on the challenge course, Camille loves visiting her hometown of Kennebunk, ME, hiking, camping, playing board games, reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, and playing with her dog, Finn.
Board Member
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Current Participant Parent
Vidya joined the Board in 2023 but has been an On Belay parent for four years. Being a cancer survivor herself, she has seen the direct impact On Belay has on her kids wellbeing. She has a background in Apparel Product Management and Project Management and has volunteered with various organizations. She grew up in India and moved to the United States in 2012. She loves to travel, read, play board games, craft and learn new things.
Board Member
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Director of Energy Transition, Clean Energy NH
Chris has a diverse background that spans outdoor trip leading, classroom education, farming, healthcare, and energy & climate policy. He currently advocates for the transition to a clean, sustainable, and affordable energy system, a career that On Belay's founder, Crescentia True, played a pivotal role in launching. As an experienced outdoor educator and adventure trip leader, Chris has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of these activities in fostering resilience and personal growth. After his own family faced the challenges of cancer, Chris gained an even deeper appreciation for On Belay's mission. He saw how community and camps helped his two young children "sail through" the difficult times. He looks forward to ensuring that other families facing similar challenges can access the same sense of community, comfort, and empowerment.
Secretary
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Structural Engineer, Van Hangen Brustlin — Previous On Belay Participant
Before joining the board, Tyler was a participant with On Belay for four years and volunteer for one. He is currently enrolled at the University of New Hampshire and enjoys mountain biking and ultimate frisbee in his free time. Tyler aims to use his experience as a participant to bring a new perspective to the board.
Board Chairperson
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Retired/Independent Consultant
Over the course of her 35+ year career in the educational publishing industry, Anita has held numerous positions from an administrative assistant to sales leader to Senior Vice President. She served on her local school board for two terms and is an educational volunteer for the Blue Ocean Society. Anita loves to read, sing, learn, and walk the beach. She welcomes the opportunity to invest her years of experience in support of On Belay, its community and its mission.
Board Member
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Certified Personal Trainer, Fiori Fitness
Staci is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Nutrition Coach with a Master in Social Work. After being a social worker for 10 years, she decided to reshift her career and focus on her own health and fitness. She realized she wanted to continue working on improving the life of others and with her education, knowledge and training she found a new passion in fitness. She moved to Dover, NH in 2021 from Northern California and is enjoying all the new adventures New England has to offer.
Staci joined the On Belay board in April 2023. She has worked with at risk youth, has years of volunteer experience with various agencies and has board member experience.
Treasurer
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Founder, Human Potential Pathways
Ed joined the On Belay board in October of 2019 after a career in secondary education, coaching, radio, organization development/training, sales and sales operations. He grew up in Philadelphia and moved to New England to attend graduate school in 1982 and never left. He lives in Rye, NH and enjoys the cold, the heat, meditation, QiGong and tennis.
