Founder and President

Todd is one of the original founders and has participated in the Foundation for 16 years. He brings over 30 years of experience climbing and working with the people of Nepal. His passion and love for the indigenous communities and their lack of quality education has inspired him to help.

He is dedicated to educating children in the rural areas of Nepal and has donated his energy, time and money creating scholarships, building schools and fund raising.  He has allocated Alpine Ascents International to pay all the administrative fees of the Foundation so that every donation goes directly to the Foundations' programs.

Founder and Board member

Gordon has spent over 30 years travelling Asia’s backroads as a guide and through personal explorations. He has served as a Nepal and India expert for multiple media sources including the New York Times, NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, CNN, Outside magazine and the Wall Street Journal.

Gordon pursues environmental causes both locally in the Puget Sound and serves on the advisor to the Board for the environmental group, Rock the Earth. He has been a volunteer for USA Hockey for nearly 10 years as a coach and most recently traveled to Kosovo to help develop tourism. Gordon has a long standing love and commitment to the Sherpa people and assists with our efforts to broaden the Foundation worldwide.

Board member

Lakpa's legendary strength is veiled by his charm, humility and passion for helping his fellow Nepali's.

His climbing and guiding achievements are significant, with 17 summits of Mt. Everest on over 23 expeditions and becoming the first Nepali to climb the Seven Summits. Possessing unparalleled expertise in the mountains, Lakpa is one of the only Sherpa working as a full-time Mountain Guide around the world.

Lakpa was named one of Outside Magazine's "Adventurers of The Year" for 2013 and more recently a "Goodwill Ambassador" to help to revive Nepal’s tourism industry.

Board member

Dané  has years of experience working with and fundraising for numerous charities providing healthcare to low income families, meals to the homeless, and supporting education and the arts. 

She has traveled extensively and has seen the difference an education can make in the world. During her 2009 trek in Nepal she visited the school educating the Foundations' sponsored children and was moved by the experience. In 2011 she raised funds for both the Foundation and for medical supplies used by doctors in Nepal. In 2014 she participated in the negotiations with the community of Namche Bazaar to build the Shree Himalaya Nursery School.  That project has now been completed and she continues to fundraise for our causes.

Secretary

Gary manages the administration and finances of the Foundation and joined us three years ago after spending nearly a decade working for various international not-for profits in Thailand, Haiti, Holland, Ethiopia and the UK.