Board of Directors
The SLCA has multiple open volunteer Board seats on a rolling basis. Serving on the Board is an amazing way to give back to your local climbing community and further the mission of the SLCA to steward and advocate for Wasatch climbing. If you are interested in applying, please reach out to Julia Geisler at Julia@SaltLakeClimbers.org
Toya Eastman
CHAIR
From the very first time I experienced the Wasatch, I knew I was home. For the past 10 years, I have been fortunate to live, work, and recreate in Utah. My involvement with the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance (SLCA) began when I attended a cleanup event in Little Cottonwood Canyon, and ever since then, I have remained deeply committed to protecting and advocating for this incredible landscape. From emceeing one of the greatest climbing festivals there is, to volunteering at community meetups, I have helped to promote stewardship and awareness. I am honored to step into a board position and continue contributing to the preservation of the Wasatch.
Jesse Sandstrom
VICE CHAIR
Many of my best memories, lessons learned, and friendships have been made climbing across the Wasatch. As I have built a deep connection with this rock, my resolve to protect it, and the surrounding areas has grown deeper. I am honored to play a role in advocating for, and protecting these climbing areas for my daughter, future generations, and strangers alike.
Ryan Suen
TREASURER
The greater Salt Lake climbing community represents an incredibly unique combination of peoples and landscapes. I’m honored to serve the SLCA to help ensure our communities and lands continue to prosper.
Joshua Miller
SECRETARY
During my undergrad years, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in life except climb and run rivers as much as possible, until I read Yvon Chouinard’s Let My People Go Surfing. The story of saving the Ventura River next to the Great Pacific Ironworks headquarters inspired me to focus on advocating for sacrosanct spaces. It’s an honor to serve on the SLCA Board of Directors to help preserve our outdoor resources for future generations.
Blair Rice
BOARD MEMBER
One of my core values is service, and I am excited to serve on SLCA's Board of Directors to give back to the land and community that has given so much. It's an incredible feeling to experience the results of this organization's care, whether it's hiking a sustainable approach trail or clipping a safely installed bolt.
Pitt Grewe
BOARD MEMBER
I was lucky enough to be raised in Northern Utah and benefit from the many leaders that established amazing climbing resources and access across all disciplines of climbing. From steep sport routes to world-class cracks and glorious alpine adventures, the Wasatch provides it all. And now as I pass the climbing bug on to my kids and their future climbing partners, I have a heightened priority to help protect and preserve these amazing resources. I want them to experience the joy of an LCC sunrise 2 pitches up and the satisfaction of exploring a wild place right in their backyard.
Chris Brandenburg
BOARD MEMBER
Climbing has given me a deep connection to Utah’s wild landscapes and to a community that has truly welcomed me in. I’m passionate about protecting climbing access and conserving the natural areas that make this place so special. Serving on the board is an opportunity for me to give back to this incredible, adventurous and thoughtful community, and to help preserve the spaces, values, and experiences that have meant so much to me.
Chan Choi
BOARD MEMBER
Chan Choi has provided leadership within Utah’s medtech and biotech industries for more than a decade, most recently serving as Sr. Director of the R&D PMO at bioMérieux. A Utah resident for over 25 years, he has been an active member of the climbing community since 2019 and spent five years coaching at Momentum Indoor Climbing. He is passionate about leadership and service, and looks forward to giving back to the Wasatch climbing community.
Blake De Vries
BOARD MEMBER
Blake De Vries has been climbing in the Wasatch for more than 30 years and is deeply connected to the Cottonwood Canyons and Utah climbing community. He serves as Director of Clinical & Business Operations at Select Health and brings leadership experience, strong community connections, and a passion for stewardship, education, and climbing access. Blake also coaches at Momentum Indoor Climbing and enjoys sharing climbing with the next generation.
Emily meadows
BOARD MEMBER
As an Utah native, my love to be outdoors and desire to protect our natural environment started from a young age. Climbing has quite literally become my anchor to the storms of life and is integral to maintain my mental and physical health; plus it’s so fun! I feel honored to serve and give back to the climbing community to ensure we continue to protect and steward the special places that teach us so much on each of our climbing adventures.
Nate Furman, PhD
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Nate Furman is a Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah and Director of U-EXPLORE. A longtime climber, educator, and advocate, Nate previously served on the SLCA Board and has been actively involved in the organization’s policy and stewardship efforts for many years. SLCA is fortunate to welcome Nate back to the Board, where his deep institutional knowledge and expertise in outdoor education, land management, and climbing advocacy will continue to strengthen the organization.