Kristen Erbelding

Kristen Erbelding

(she/her/hers)

Managing Director

I am convinced that systems of medical care, knowledge and response outside of the medical industrial complex are vital to keeping people safe, alive and well. As a community, we are capable of gaining and using skills in order to keep us safe - we don’t have to wait for someone else to do it! I try to live my values consistently, whether I am inside or outside. I am appreciative of people who have taught me that wilderness is a myth - there is no space that is more pristine or sacred - all land is valuable and should be related to as such. I strive to have the same awe and respect for my backyard and for a landfill as I have for grand vistas and lone mountain lakes. I am currently a settler on Piscataway Conoy land in what is often referred to as Washington, DC. I personally pay land tax (aka land rent) to acknowledge that I occupy the un-ceded land and tidewaters of the Piscataway Conoy. Join me in paying rent and learning more from the Wild Turkey Clan Cedarville Band of the Piscataway Conoy nation at https://linktr.ee/paylandtax

Outdoor Interests

Porch sitting, Bike touring, Trail running, Hiking, Backpacking, Getting lost with friends, Sunbathing on river rocks, Canoeing, Floating, Rowing, Long walks, Autonomous adventure races, Cross-country skiing, Star gazing

Education

  • BA in Mathematics
  • Masters of Business Administration

Certifications

  • Wilderness First Aid MEDIC SOLO
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • De-escalation training
  • SHRM Essentials in HR 2014; SHRM Applying CA Law to Employment Practices
  • Microsoft Excel Intermediate

Values

Move at the speed of trust; leave no one behind; Center the voices of impacted people; Practice deep listening; Always embrace the growth mindset

Outdoor Travel

  • Bike trips: Maine to Prince Edward Island (1 month); Marseille, France to Corfu, Greece (1 month); Erie Canal, New York (5 days); Long Beach, CA to San, Diego, CA (3 days); overnight and weekend trips in Maryland, DC and Virginia
  • Backpacking trips: Big Bend National Park, Yosemite National Park, Monongahela National Forest; Los Padres National Forest; Inyo National Forest; San Juan National Forest
  • Canoeing trips: Rio Grande River, Big Bend National Park

Kristen outdoors

Kristen in the wild