Four standout leaders have earned a 2026 SAMMY Leadership Award, recognized for the way they lead—thoughtfully, actively, and with a clear focus on people. This year’s honorees are: Kari Brandt, Jay Dougherty, Jordan Elliott, and Ben Smith.

Chosen by their peers, these leaders are making a meaningful impact not only within their own operations, but across the mountain resort industry. They’re known for showing up, lifting others up, and leading with a balance of humility, intention, and follow-through.

Thanks, as always, to SAMMY sponsors Leitner-Poma of America and Safehold Sports. Their continued support has helped shine a light on exceptional leadership in the mountain resort industry since 1998.

Kari Brandt, Risk Manager, Sugar Bowl, Calif.

Kari’s career in the ski industry started at 2 months old, sleeping in a cardboard box under the ticket window while her godmother sold lift tickets at Ski Green Valley, Calif., which her godparents owned. Her parents were volunteer ski patrollers, and by 4 years old, Kari was skiing around with a 101 Dalmatians fanny pack filled with Band-Aids looking to help people who had fallen. 

Kari didn’t start patrolling until she was in grad school, and it was only supposed to be a temporary job (said so many people in the ski industry). However, by her third season, she became the patrol director and on-mountain risk manager at Snow Valley, Calif. She then moved on the be the risk manager for SkyPark at Santa’s Village, an adventure theme park in Skyforest, Calif., while patrolling part-time at Big Bear Mountain Resort, Calif. Three years later, she returned to the ski industry full-time in 2019 as patrol director and safety coordinator at Diamond Peak, Nev. During her six years there, Kari built a patrol team that is now 50 percent women. In December 2025, she moved to Sugar Bowl, Calif., where she is currently the risk manager. 

“Her unparalleled expertise in risk prevention, incident investigation, and leading patrol teams has elevated industry standards and set a precedent for excellence,” said a peer. “Not only is she a proficient educator, holding a master’s in education, but she has also emerged as an inspiring advocate for women in the ski industry.”

In 2020, Kari founded Women of Patrol, a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to support current and future female patrollers by offering mentorship, scholarships, community, and recruitment opportunities. After becoming involved in Responder Alliance and forming a resiliency team at Diamond Peak, she started a second 501(c)3 in June 2024 called the Sierra Nevada Resiliency Team, a network of people in the Sierra Nevada mountain range that provide post-traumatic incident support, training, community events, and resiliency grants to teams and individuals. 

Kari is “pushing boundaries in a role that is not always positioned to push them,” said one peer. “She’s operating in a lane that doesn’t naturally come with the ‘wheels’ of a GM or executive title. And yet, she is driving change. She is organizing people. She is influencing outcomes. She is raising standards across a region.”

Kari also serves on the board of directors of the Responder Alliance Foundation, is the chair of the Risk and Safety Committee for Ski California, is a member of the NSAA Risk and Education Committee and ASTM F27 Committee, and she served four years as president of the board of directors for the Association of Professional Patrollers.

“What sets Kari apart is her ability to challenge the status quo with humility,” said another peer. “She navigates the complexities of leadership with grace and tact. She is humble and genuinely focused on the betterment of the industry rather than personal accolades.”

Kari lives on a dirt road with her husband and two dogs. She enjoys long days exploring in the mountains while eating lots of snacks, often with her dog, Fred. She also participates in many of the stereotypical mountain activities: running, biking, backpacking, hiking, swimming, skiing, and, of course, snowblading. 

“Kari exemplifies leadership not by title, but by action,” said a peer. “She doesn’t let the learning sit on a shelf. She drives implementation, and she pushes people to do better.”

Jay Dougherty, President and General Manager, Mount Southington, Conn.

As a native to Southington, Conn., Jay Dougherty started skiing and riding Mount Southington at age 6, worked in the rental department as a teenager, and is now living out his childhood dream of running the ski area where he grew up. 

After earning a resort and hospitality management degree from Vermont’s Green Mountain College in 2004, Jay returned to Southington as assistant mountain manager and became president and general manager in 2014. He oversees operations, finances, and long-term planning, including implementation of a capital plan that has delivered RFID, a new Snowsports Learning Center, expanded learning terrain and programs, two new chairlifts, and major snowmaking upgrades.

“Jay exemplifies forward-thinking leadership through hands-on commitment, accountability, and a clear focus on enhancing both the guest experience and the long-term viability of Mount Southington,” said one peer. “In an industry marked by rapid change and increasing operational complexity, he does not simply respond to challenge, he leads with purpose and vision.”

Under his leadership, Mount Southington has gone from a winter-only business to a growing year-round community hub. The resort now hosts more than 60 weddings and events annually and added summer partners, including a 250-participant day camp and beach volleyball and cornhole leagues. Skier visits and revenue have more than doubled during his tenure as president and GM.

“What truly sets Jay apart is how he leads day to day,” said another peer. “He is a genuine, approachable leader who listens, mentors, and encourages new ideas. Jay consistently thinks creatively about how to grow Mount Southington while also strengthening the industry as a whole. His ability to balance innovation, collaboration, and people-first leadership makes a lasting impact on his team, his community, and the future of skiing.”

Jay serves as president of the Connecticut Ski Areas Association. He’s also actively involved in the community, serving on multiple committees and boards. Mount Southington sponsors local sports teams and clubs and supports youth-based organizations such as the YMCA.

He invests in the industry’s future by helping kids understand the career opportunities the ski industry offers. Jay collaborates with the local high school’s agricultural science program to help create coursework that introduces interested students to ski industry careers, and hosts students to show them first-hand what it takes to operate a ski area.

“I’ve worked with many resort leaders, and Jay stands out for understanding the mountain’s role in its community,” said a peer. “Jay has positioned Mount Southington as a pipeline for participation and community connection. He is building something that lasts for his team, his community, and the future of the industry.”

In 2025, Mount Southington received the NSAA Golden Eagle Award for Community and Partnerships for a project Jay and his team worked on with the Southington school system, Snowball Effect, and Quantum Biopower, a food waste to energy power plant. 

Jay is the father of two young boys who share his passion for the outdoors and is married to “an incredibly supportive wife who puts up with the workload of a small ski area general manager.” He’s also an avid saltwater fisherman, hunter, and golfer.

“Jay is a thoughtful leader who delegates, values his employees, and leads with integrity,” said another peer. “His heart and soul are with Mount Southington. Jay embodies the very passion that so many skiers and boarders experience when they come to Mount Southington.”

Jordan Elliott, President, Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association

Jordan Elliott’s career in the ski industry began in the lift operations department during the 2002 Winter Olympics at Park City Mountain Resort, Utah. What started as a seasonal job quickly turned into a lifelong connection to mountain operations and the communities that make them work. Jordan built his career at Mt. Bachelor in Oregon, serving in several leadership roles including lift operations manager and finally human resources director. Along the way, he developed a reputation for bridging operational realities with leadership and working closely with frontline staff while helping guide broader resort management strategy.

In 2018, Jordan was named as president of the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PNSAA), representing ski areas across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. In that role, he advocates on behalf of the mountain recreation industry on issues ranging from workforce development to public policy and risk management. He rebranded PNSAA’s annual conference as “Mountain Works,” and improved its accessibility. Attendance has doubled since he became PNSAA president.

“Jordan is excellent at educating people and encouraging folks to come to the table,” said a peer. “He has been a fresh voice at PNSAA, willing to change things up and try new things. He has been a leader in liability reform and has a knack for harnessing media. He can work with lobbyists, operators, lawyers and insurance types and hold everyone's respect.”

As part of his advocacy efforts, Jordan helped organize Protect Oregon Recreation (POR)—a coalition of hundreds of recreation and fitness users, providers, nonprofits, conservation organizations, local agencies, and community partners—convened as a unified voice to support liability waiver reform in Oregon. Jordan led the effort that resulted in passage of a waiver reform bill in March, which was a monumental win for Oregon ski areas and other recreation providers in the state.

“This Oregon legislation is monumental, and it was Jordan’s vision and passion to build a broad and diverse coalition,” said a peer. “The Protect Oregon Recreation (POR) coalition was formidable, and it needs to be the model for future efforts on tort reform in other states. Jordan was the glue that kept this legislative effort on track over many years.”

“He has successfully done a monumental thing with the rec liability bill. As a result of this bill, insurance companies are now talking to us again,” said another peer. 

Outside his mountain life, Jordan is the owner of Pacific Catalyst, a boutique expedition cruise company that operates two historic wooden yachts offering small-group voyages in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and Baja, Mexico. While the setting may different, his focus remains the same: connecting people to wild places and stewarding the landscapes, and seascapes, that make outdoor recreation possible.

Elliott’s work centers on the idea that great experiences in the outdoors are built by dedicated teams, thoughtful leadership, and a deep respect for the environments that sustain them.

“Jordan’s passion has been so important for the broader outdoor recreation industry,” said a peer. “He’s been an amazing champion. He has been tireless on legislation and deserves the most credit for his work.”

Jordan lives in Bend, Ore., with his wife, renowned equine veterinarian Dr. Shannon Findley, their two small children, dog, house rabbit, and more than several fishing rods. 

Ben Smith, Vice President of Resort Operations and General Manager, Mountain High, Calif.

Ben Smith grew up skiing at Mountain High, Calif., and first started working there as a boot fitter at 16 years old. Ben advanced through snowmaking, lift maintenance, and mountain operations, and was promoted to vice president of resort operations in 2011 before becoming general manager in 2012.

Mountain High has expanded into a four-season resort under Ben’s watch. He’s overseen the introduction of a new disc golf course, summer campground operations, and construction of a new mountain bike park. He also launched the innovative Yeti Snow Park, a wintertime snow-play area for non-skiers and -riders—of which there are millions in close proximity to Mountain High—to enjoy fun in the snow.

“Ben is deeply committed to his work and consistently demonstrates focus, discipline, and a drive for continuous improvement,” said a peer. “His ability to combine structure with high energy and a personal approach creates an environment where people feel both supported and motivated. He has a remarkable ability to balance strategic vision with careful attention to detail.” 

Ben played a central role in guiding Mountain High through two major crises: the Bridge Fire in September 2024, which burned portions of the resort, and severe flooding during Christmas week of the 2025–26 season that sent mudflows and debris across the ski area and forced a prolonged closure. During both events, he worked closely with emergency responders, kept employee and community safety at the forefront, and maintained steady, transparent communication. He remained highly visible and hands-on throughout recovery efforts, keeping staff informed and engaged while also contributing directly to cleanup operations to support a safe reopening.

“Ben is a respected leader who has been tested by two back-to-back natural disasters in the past two years,” said one peer. “Despite being faced with a wildfire that burned through the resort and damaged infrastructure, followed by major flooding that impacted the ski area and community the very next year, he successfully helped the Mountain High resort team and community navigate and rebound from both incidents.”

Beyond the ski area, Ben shares his time and knowledge in a variety of different ways. As an active member of the community, he has served as the honorary mayor of Wrightwood and president of the Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce. He is the vice president and treasurer of the Wrightwood Fire Safe Council, on the board of the Big Pines Camp Association, and serves on the advisory board of the Serrano High School Career Technological Education program, where he shares his skills as a certified welder and offers career advice to students interested in the field of welding.  He also advises the school’s Future Farmers of America program.

More broadly, Ben teaches classes at Ski California’s annual Lift Maintenance and Operations Education Conference, helping to empower the next generation of employees and leaders.

“His steady leadership and forward-thinking approach have directly contributed to the resort’s long-term success and growth, ensuring Mountain High remains aligned with the evolving interests of winter sports enthusiasts,” said another peer. “Ben’s love of the mountains and the Wrightwood community helped drive the expansion of summer programming, transforming Mountain High into a vibrant four-season destination. I can think of no one more deserving of this year’s SAMMY Award than Ben Smith.”

For a look at our past SAMMY winners, VISIT OUR SAMMY HALL OF FAME.

Learn more about the SAMMY Awards here.