Meet the Organizers
Sierra Rising is shaped by climbers, educators, guides, volunteers, and community organizers who share a commitment to mentorship, stewardship, safety, and care for Yosemite.
Mecia Serafino has deep experience in Yosemite climbing, stewardship, education, and rescue-adjacent community support. Through work connected to Friends of YOSAR, Yosemite Climbing Association, and Restore Hetch Hetchy, she has supported climber education, outreach, Gym-to-Crag programming, Facelift stewardship, and efforts that help people connect more responsibly with Yosemite's wild places.
Lucho Rivera is a longtime Yosemite climber, educator, and first-ascentionist whose climbing has taken him from Yosemite Valley and Hetch Hetchy to Tuolumne Meadows, the Northern California coast, and Malaysia. With decades of experience, including big wall climbs, first ascents, and work preserving Yosemite climbing history, Lucho brings a deep respect for place, craft, and responsibility in the mountains.
Matt Moy brings a joyful, movement-centered approach to climbing, mentorship, and community building. As a founder, supporter, and organizer for multiple climbing organizations in the Chicago area, they have helped climbers build movement skills, confidence, trust, and lasting connections outside.
Ivy co-founded Chicago Climbs to share her love of climbing with underserved youth while supporting AAC Chicago and USAC competitions. As an AMGA-certified Single Pitch Instructor, she provides instruction, mentorship, outdoor trips, and community-led programming for new climbers. She brings steady judgment, practical organizing experience, and a strong commitment to helping climbers feel prepared, supported, and confident in the outdoors.
Leif Johnson is a climbing organizer, mentor, and AMGA-certified Single Pitch Instructor with more than a decade of climbing and teaching experience. Through Climb Out and volunteer work, they have helped organize climbing meetups, camp programs, clinics, and mentorship opportunities across California, including Bishop, Joshua Tree, and Yosemite. Their work focuses on helping climbers build skills, confidence, safety practices, and lasting connections in the mountains.
As cofounder of Climb Out, Hunter has been deeply involved in the organization's programming across California's Central Coast and beyond. This includes multiple monthly climb nights at local rock climbing gyms, community meetups, classes, and regular group trips to Joshua Tree and Bishop, among other things, with the goal of helping climbers both new and established build lasting connections in the outdoors.
Katie Coit approaches Yosemite stewardship through sustainability, visitor education, and care for place. Through Yosemite Conservancy, she has supported efforts that help people understand, protect, and connect more thoughtfully with Yosemite and the communities around it.
Marina Chislett is grounded in practical climbing community work, education, and outdoor access through her work with Coalition Crag. She has helped support community climbing spaces, gear resources, scholarships, and programs that enable newer climbers to build confidence, connection, and experience outside.
KC Carpenter supports climbing community work with a steady mix of outdoor experience, humor, and care for the people around them. With experience climbing in Yosemite and participating in community-centered outdoor programs, KC helps create environments where climbers can learn, ask questions, and build confidence outside. Their presence adds warmth, approachability, and grounded support to the Sierra Rising team.
Thomas Bukowski is an AMGA-certified guide, North Face athlete, and co-author of the Tuolumne Meadows climbing guidebook. With climbing and mountain-running experience across Yosemite, Patagonia, Alaska, Pakistan, and the Sierra Nevada, Thomas brings deep technical skill, storytelling, and mentorship to the climbing community. Their work helps climbers build confidence, mountain judgment, and a stronger connection to the places they climb.
Stephanie Brito is an experienced outdoor athlete who connects climbing, mentorship, and technology with a thoughtful approach to community building. Through volunteer work in the community, and her own climbing and endurance experience, she helps support programs where climbers can build confidence, learn from one another, and develop stronger connections to the mountains.
