CJ was raised in the Army in military housing and spent her childhood in various locations around the world with each of her siblings born in a different country. Following her own experiences with trauma, CJ turned to the outdoors and cultivated skills in hunting, fishing, and wilderness self‑sufficiency. What began as a personal path toward healing has grown into a lifelong passion. Today, CJ dedicates much of her free time to nonprofits, encouraging and teaching others to find peace, resilience, and connection through the natural world.
For more than 20 years, CJ has volunteered in support of veterans and active-duty military personnel, assembling and sending care packages to deployed service members and their families. Her efforts have included organizing “baby showers in a box,” complete with handmade baby quilts, for families welcoming a child during an active deployment.
In her work with CRF, CJ contributes to strategic planning and organizational operations, as well as assisting with outdoor education and related activities.
