YEAR-ROUND STAFF
Liz Jordan
She/Her/Hers
Putney, VT
Director of Education
Liz grew up exploring the woods and waters behind her house in the D.C. suburbs, rehabilitating injured animals, and donating all of her allowance to conservation groups. In college she dove into outdoor education and began leading trips and managing gear for VCU’s outdoor program. After college, Liz worked for the Student Conservation Association as an Americorps volunteer in the Adirondacks then as a trail crew leader. She led a variety of wilderness and service trips in California, Washington, Alaska and all around the East coast.Liz worked at North Country School for over a decade as a farm intern, science and English teacher, houseparent, coach, trip leader, mask maker, costumer, 9th grade team leader, secondary school placement coordinator, and reading specialist. She pursued graduate credits from Goddard College, earned her MA in Applied Educational Psychology as a Reading Specialist from Columbia University, and received her teaching certifications for English and as Reading Specialist. Liz has managed a high altitude farm and goat cheese cooperative in Telluride, Colorado, ridden her bike 1500 miles across the West, and was a field researcher for a loon conservation program in the ADKs (one of her all time favorite jobs). She lives in Westminster West, Vermont with her husband and two kids, is a student and teacher of yoga and meditation, and tends to her two very wily lady goats and her beloved 3-legged dog.
Emily Sherwood
Marlow, NH
Director of Expeditions
Emily came to Kroka at the age of 11, then completed Kroka's first semester program in 2004, and has been a devoted Kroka-ite ever since. In between Kroka programs and her own far flung adventures she has taught high school, where she firmly believes in learning beyond the classroom walls. These days, she lives down the road from Kroka on a small farm with her two young children and husband Jacob.
Ezra Fradkin
Marlow, NH
Managing Director
A New England native, Ezra grew up in an intentional community in Amherst, Massachusetts. Highlights from his childhood include a semester abroad in the Basque country in northern Spain, making maple syrup, and building forts in the woods. Ezra attended Kroka’s Ecuador Semester as a high-school student and went on to graduate from Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT where his studies focused on sustainable food systems. Before returning to Kroka as a member of the year-round team in 2016 Ezra spent time in Ecuador, Israel, Mexico, and Lopez Island in Washington’s Salish Sea. When not working in the office, you can find Ezra exploring the underground world and performing in a local theater group. Ezra recently completed an MA in Regenerative Economics at Schumacher College (UK).
Hugh Landis
Jaffrey, NH
Campus Carpenter
Our chief carpenter, Hugh is a venerable master of precision and a man of few words.
Jennifer Case
She/Her/Hers
Peterborough, NH
Food Manager
A local to Peterborough, New Hampshire, Jennifer hails originally from the fair, flaxen-colored fields of Indiana. Jennifer comes to us from the community of the Plowshare Farm not far from our own NH route 123, and we are both proud and blessed to have her as such a valued part of our community as well.
Katia Knight
She/Her/Hers
Paris,
Business Manager
Part of our administrative team, Katia comes to us from Devon, England and hails originally from France. Based solely off of her last name, I suspect she may be a direct descendant of Sir Bedevere the Wise of Arthurian legend.
Linda Fuerderer
She/Her/Hers
Marlow, NH
Facilities Director
Linda Fuerderer always steps up to do many tasks above and beyond her job description around the Kroka campus. Until it’s sale in 2007, she worked alongside her family in the family business, Jack’s True Value Hardware in Keene, New Hampshire. While working there, she received a Bachelor’s Degree at Keene State College, where she deepened her passion for archaeology. Linda has participated on many digs and regularly volunteers with the New Hampshire Archaeological Society. She is a resident of Marlow, NH and sits on the conservation commission as well as ARLAC (Ashuelot River Local Advisory Commission).
Lindsay Moon
She/Her/Hers
Marlow, NH
Program Coordinator
Lindsay is a master of silversmithing and leather-working (as well as an enthusiastic disciple of wool garments) with deep roots in the southern New Hampshire-Vermont region. Before coming to Kroka, Lindsay worked as a jewelry-making teacher in Pennsylvania, and as a therapeutic guide in Vermont. Lindsay loves making things with her hands, rock climbing, and helping others grow into their fullest selves through introspection, challenge, and exposure to try new things.
Mary DiFilippo
She/Her/Hers
Marlow, NH
Business Manager
With a love for nature and the outdoors, I have enjoyed living in several states in the US. Most notably, living Alaska for 7 years. I have been able to see the wonders of the Northern Lights to having moose in my yard. Along with my love of animals is my love for children and seeing them learn and explore new things that will broaden their view.
Nathan Lyczak
Keene, NH
Executive Director
Nathan has enjoyed a variety of roles at Kroka during the past 14 years, including Summer Director, Capital Campaign Coordinator, Cartographer, and Managing Director. Prior to coming to Kroka, he had served as a communications officer in the US Navy, taught English for a year in Nicaragua, and worked as a 4th grade classroom teacher in rural New Hampshire. He is the proud parent of two Kroka semester program alumni, and partner of long-time expedition leader and educator Hanah LaBarre. He is thrilled to be returning to full time work at Kroka at this unique moment of transition in the organization.
Tricia Bennett
She/Her/Hers
Outreach Coordinator
While studying at UNH, Tricia went on a NOLS semester in Patagonia that changed her life. She was not only exposed to the harsh elements on extended sea-kayaking and mountaineering expeditions, but the magic that comes from living in nature with community. Driven to be a part of and create these transformative experiences for others, Tricia went on to guide groups of students with Windsor Mountain, Global Routes, True North and NOLS before finding her perfect fit with Kroka Expeditions. Tricia joined the Kroka team in 2018 and has worked as the school program coordinator, interim food manager and has coordinated and led the Fall Semester Program since 2020. Favorite Things About Kroka: The thought, care, love, intention that goes into EVERYTHING at Kroka. The community of supportive, creative, passionate staff. Raw milk & yogurt, pressing cider, skiing on winter lunch breaks, exploring wild places together. The students and children that fill this place with JOY! Personal Passions: Wildflowers, swimming in alpine lakes, laughter with co-leaders 100 days into semester, learning about plant spirits, all the magical seasons of New England, learning new crafts, mountain biking, a cup of tea by the fire, making a beautiful meal with loved ones
SEASONAL STAFF, GUESTS, & VOLUNTEERS
Alex Stroshine
He/Him/His
Marlow, NH
Semester Basecamp Instructor and Bookkeeper
Alex (also known by some as “Coach Stro”) is a veritable renaissance-man of the Kroka community. When he is not keeping the books, Alex can be found leading whitewater expeditions, or coaching the local youth baseball team. Born and raised in Keene, New Hampshire, Alex has shredded the whitewater knar from New England to Ecuador – and has the Spanish fluency to prove it. Alex lives year-round in a woodstove cabin in the Kroka village.
Chris Knapp
Temple, ME
Lead Teacher Cedar to Sea
Chris Knapp has been with Kroka since 1999. He spent many years as a student of Ray Reitze, and as a teacher at Earthways School of Wilderness Living. He has a wealth of wilderness knowledge and experience to share. Chris and his wife Ashirah have been an integral part of Kroka’s development, designing and creating curriculum, as well as teaching the Winter Semester Program on and off since 2004. Chris and Ashirah live with their children at Maine Local Living School. Based on their homestead in Temple Maine, the school teaches a blend of folk arts, wilderness crafts, permaculture, and sustainable technologies.
Colton Francis
Wilderness Leader and Land Steward
Coming to us from Burlington, Vermont, Colton brings to Kroka a love for living in community and a contagious joy for the wild world. When he is not fighting oil pipelines in British Columbia, teaching at Crow’s Path, or running ultra marathons, Colton can be found leading Kroka students on laughter-filled forest romps.
David Silva Alvarez
Leader Level 4 - 5th Year
David Silva Alvarez, a father a rambling rock climber and a builder, originates from Columbia, but has lived and raised his beautiful daughter, Violeta, in Ecuador for the last decade. At the age of twelve, he earned enough money selling hot dogs on the street to buy his first pair of climbing shoes. He has gone on to become a professional mountaineering guide as a member of the IFMGA International Federation of Mountain guides Association. In Ecuador, he works as a high-altitude mountaineering guide for Nahual Expediciones. Around Kroka, Davicho can be found collecting poison ivy, while exploring new heights and terrain.
Grant Hawkes
He/Him/His
Gorham, ME
Guest Leader - Wilderness Skills
Grant has been both a Semester Student and Apprentice, and returns now to lead programs in his own right. He grew up in Southern Maine with his four siblings building forts and crafting in his backyard. As a young homeschooler he began studying with Chris and Ashirah Knapp at Koviashuvik Local Living School, where he apprenticed and worked, furthering his wilderness and crafting skills.He enjoyed three years of summer trips at Kroka as a camper before becoming an apprentice and completing the Winter Semester. He has a strong belief that everything he uses should be beautiful as well as functional and strives to apply this philosophy to all of his pursuits. Grant enjoys canoeing down quiet rivers, carving wood, tanning hides, blacksmithing, and singing songs. He can often be found wandering the wild woods, a handmade knife on his belt and an axe in hand, throwing a song to the wind. A masterful craftsman, he infuses every project with a reverence and wonder which are felt by all around him.
Hope Macke
She/Her/Hers
Marlow, NH
A year-round denizen of the Kroka village, Hope is a seasoned Kroka teacher and an expert skier. Whether on the river or in the mountains, you can find Hope leading school-groups and summer expeditions, cooking delicious food, and reading high fantasy (occasionally all at the same time). When not at Kroka, Hope can be found nearby ski-instructing as many as fifty kindergarteners at once.
Luke Webb
He/Him/His
Greenfield, MA
Wilderness Leader
Luke ”the Drifter” is the rootin’est tootin’est cowboy this side of the mighty Mississip’. Between reindeer-wrestling in Norway, bull-riding in the Lone Star State, and sword-fighting in Poland, there is no adventure too daring for this rawhide wayfarer. You can catch Luke sharing jokes around the campfire, and recounting colorful tales from his many whitewater, caving, and snowboarding adventures.
Margarita Cardoso
She/Her/Hers
Cuenca,
Leader Level 4 - 3rd Year
Marga comes to us all the way from Cuenca, Ecuador to share with us her amazing talents on the cliff face and in the kitchen. She is one of the top climbers in South America, and is always looking to share her knowledge.
Nick Paul
He/Him/His
Marlow, NH
Guest Leader
Nick lives the old-time traditional bushcraft lifestyle that beard-oiled, flanneled hipsters on the internet merely play at. From woodworking to leatherworking to basketry, Nick is a wellspring of knowledge, expertise, and excitement for all things concerning simple New England living. Nick studied outdoor leadership at University of New Hampshire and is a seasoned Kroka teacher.
Geova Guatemal
He/Him/His
San Clemente,
Wilderness Leader & Facilities Assistant
Geova hails from the Indigenous community of San Clemente, Ecuador, nestled between the salt spray of the Pacific and the austere highlands of the snow-capped Andes. Following the migration path of his younger brother Roberto, Geova first came to Kroka in 2022. An avid mountain-biker, Geova also plays the guitar and piano.
Patricia Ribeiro
She/Her/Hers
Taubaté, SP
Wilderness Leader
Patricia, better known as “Pati”, brings the warmth and spirit of her coastal Brazilian homeland to the mountains of New Hampshire. Before coming to Kroka, Pati studied sustainability in the British Isles, oceanography in Brazil, and guided ocean excursions. Whether steering a voyageur canoe on the Maine coast, or snorkeling at her native beaches of Sao Paulo, Pati loves to share her admiration and fascination with the sea.
Roberto Pupiales
San Clemente,
Semester Leader
Roberto’s seasonal migration habits resemble that of Piranga olivacea – the scarlet tanager – dividing his time between the Kroka village and his home in the Indigenous community of San Clemente, Ecuador. Roberto has been making the summer journey to Kroka since 2009, first as a semester student and now leading mountain biking and hiking expeditions.
Sam Cohen
He/Him/His
Boulder, Colorado
Wilderness Leader
Originally from Colorado’s Front Range, Sam crewed aboard rolling decks and hemp-n-timber rigging of the bounding schooner Shenandoah, as well as guiding wilderness therapy programs in the San Juan Mountains, before dropping anchor here at Kroka. In addition to teaching traditional crafts and leading forest explorations on Kroka expeditions, Sam is a savant when it comes to making homemade sauerkraut.
Vivek Mehta
He/Him/His
Kumaon,
Leader Level 2 - 2nd Year
Vivek comes to us from the indomitable summits of the Hymalayas, in Uttarakhand, India – where the heavens themselves snag on the venerated peak of Nada Devi. A connoisseur of vintage trucks, Vivek came to America for the automobiles, and stayed for the coffee culture. On expedition, Kroka students scaling the granite cliffs of New England will find nowhere else a more encouraging teacher.