These leaders have run resorts, built teams, guided organizations through change and growth, and helped shape the mountain resort industry along the way. Throughout the fall series, each mentor will work with a small cohort, drawing on their experience to offer perspective, share lessons learned and help participants navigate their own leadership and career growth. With the same mentor and cohort together throughout the series, participants will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and engage in candid conversations that deepen over time.
Thank you to our sponsor, MountainGuard, for their support of this program.
Dawn Boulware
Vice President of Social and Environmental Responsibility, Taos Ski Valley, N.M.
Dawn Boulware currently serves as vice president of social and environmental responsibility for Taos Ski Valley, where she has worked for more than 30 years in roles spanning marketing, human resources and other areas of the resort. Today, she supports the environmental, community relations, human resources, administration and workforce lodging teams. Dawn helped Taos Ski Valley become the first ski resort in the world to achieve B Corp certification in 2017 and has since led the resort through two recertifications. She holds a bachelor of arts in political science and religion from the University of Redlands and a master of arts in elementary education from the University of New Mexico. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, hiking, river rafting, camping, traveling, motorcycling and gardening.
Dawn Boulware currently serves as vice president of social and environmental responsibility for Taos Ski Valley, where she has worked for more than 30 years in roles spanning marketing, human resources and other areas of the resort. Today, she supports the environmental, community relations, human resources, administration and workforce lodging teams. Dawn helped Taos Ski Valley become the first ski resort in the world to achieve B Corp certification in 2017 and has since led the resort through two recertifications. She holds a bachelor of arts in political science and religion from the University of Redlands and a master of arts in elementary education from the University of New Mexico. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, hiking, river rafting, camping, traveling, motorcycling and gardening.
Andrew Gast
President and General Manager, Eldora Mountain Resort, Colo.
Andrew Gast brings experience from ski areas across the country, with leadership roles at Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Cataloochee Ski Area and Sky Valley Ski. Before joining Eldora Mountain Resort as president and general manager in 2026, Andrew served as general manager of nonprofit Mt. Ashland Ski Area, where he led daily operations, set long-term strategy and oversaw major capital improvements, including the mountain’s first new chairlift in more than 35 years. Throughout his career, Andrew has emphasized hands-on leadership, strong community connections and the role ski areas play in the communities they serve.
Andrew Gast brings experience from ski areas across the country, with leadership roles at Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Cataloochee Ski Area and Sky Valley Ski. Before joining Eldora Mountain Resort as president and general manager in 2026, Andrew served as general manager of nonprofit Mt. Ashland Ski Area, where he led daily operations, set long-term strategy and oversaw major capital improvements, including the mountain’s first new chairlift in more than 35 years. Throughout his career, Andrew has emphasized hands-on leadership, strong community connections and the role ski areas play in the communities they serve.
Greg Gavrilets
General Manager, Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe, Nev.
Greg Gavrilets is a hands-on leader with more than 20 years of ski industry experience. He began his career in 2004 at Ober Mountain, working as a patroller, instructor and terrain park manager before going on to leadership roles at both independent and corporate-owned resorts. He has served as general manager at Paoli Peaks, Hidden Valley and Attitash, and joined Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe as general manager in 2022. At Mt. Rose, Greg has overseen major terrain and guest experience investments while fostering a collaborative, people-focused culture. A 2015 SAM “10 Under 30” honoree and 2025 SAMMY Award recipient, he holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and serves as vice chair of Ski California.
Greg Gavrilets is a hands-on leader with more than 20 years of ski industry experience. He began his career in 2004 at Ober Mountain, working as a patroller, instructor and terrain park manager before going on to leadership roles at both independent and corporate-owned resorts. He has served as general manager at Paoli Peaks, Hidden Valley and Attitash, and joined Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe as general manager in 2022. At Mt. Rose, Greg has overseen major terrain and guest experience investments while fostering a collaborative, people-focused culture. A 2015 SAM “10 Under 30” honoree and 2025 SAMMY Award recipient, he holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and serves as vice chair of Ski California.
Stacey Glaser
Head of Marketing, Mountain Capital Partners
A results-driven marketer, Stacey Glaser’s career has been focused on cultivating strong relationships, driving high-performing teams and growing company revenue, all while expertly telling the MCP story to employees and company stakeholders. After years of working in advertising and public relations agencies, Stacey cut her ski industry teeth at Sipapu shortly after James purchased the resort, where her wizard-like ability to lead successful projects and teams made an immediate impact, and she’s been leading by example ever since. Stacey received her bachelor of arts in journalism at Oklahoma Baptist University and the company’s Freedom to Ski award in 2020.
A results-driven marketer, Stacey Glaser’s career has been focused on cultivating strong relationships, driving high-performing teams and growing company revenue, all while expertly telling the MCP story to employees and company stakeholders. After years of working in advertising and public relations agencies, Stacey cut her ski industry teeth at Sipapu shortly after James purchased the resort, where her wizard-like ability to lead successful projects and teams made an immediate impact, and she’s been leading by example ever since. Stacey received her bachelor of arts in journalism at Oklahoma Baptist University and the company’s Freedom to Ski award in 2020.
Adam Mahler
Mountain Manager, Trollhaugen, Wis.
Adam Mahler fell in love with snowboarding at age 14 and got his start working in virtually every department at his local ski area, Trollhaugen, Wis. He went on to earn a degree in welding and gain experience in construction and electrical work, including leading solar energy crews, while continuing to manage and design Trollhaugen’s terrain parks. In 2017, he joined Trollhaugen full time as mountain manager. A lifelong learner, Adam strives to share his knowledge and insights with the next generation of resort staff through workshops at Cutter’s Camp, the Midwest Terrain Park Summit and Take the Rake, as well as through one-on-one mentoring.
Adam Mahler fell in love with snowboarding at age 14 and got his start working in virtually every department at his local ski area, Trollhaugen, Wis. He went on to earn a degree in welding and gain experience in construction and electrical work, including leading solar energy crews, while continuing to manage and design Trollhaugen’s terrain parks. In 2017, he joined Trollhaugen full time as mountain manager. A lifelong learner, Adam strives to share his knowledge and insights with the next generation of resort staff through workshops at Cutter’s Camp, the Midwest Terrain Park Summit and Take the Rake, as well as through one-on-one mentoring.
Matt Peterson
Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Palisades Tahoe, Calif.
A former professional snowboarder who competed in the X Games and appeared in Warren Miller films, Matt Peterson has built a career blending his passion for the mountains with brand marketing and creative business strategy. Early in his career, he co-founded Academy Snowboard Co. and a creative agency in Denver before joining Boreal Mountain Resort as director of marketing and communications. He later became vice president of marketing and brand management for Boreal, Woodward Tahoe and Soda Springs. Matt joined Palisades Tahoe in 2022 and now serves as vice president of marketing and sales. A 2024 SAMMY Award recipient, he has also served as executive chair of Visit California’s snow committee and contributed to Ski California’s growth committee.
A former professional snowboarder who competed in the X Games and appeared in Warren Miller films, Matt Peterson has built a career blending his passion for the mountains with brand marketing and creative business strategy. Early in his career, he co-founded Academy Snowboard Co. and a creative agency in Denver before joining Boreal Mountain Resort as director of marketing and communications. He later became vice president of marketing and brand management for Boreal, Woodward Tahoe and Soda Springs. Matt joined Palisades Tahoe in 2022 and now serves as vice president of marketing and sales. A 2024 SAMMY Award recipient, he has also served as executive chair of Visit California’s snow committee and contributed to Ski California’s growth committee.
Deirdre Riley
General Manager, Attitash and Wildcat, N.H.
Deirdre Riley has built more than two decades of experience in mountain operations, beginning her ski industry career at Stowe Mountain Resort and progressing through frontline and leadership roles in lift operations, ski patrol, guest services and resort management. Her career has included leadership positions at Park City Mountain and Crested Butte Mountain Resort before she returned to New Hampshire in 2020 as senior mountain operations manager at Attitash Mountain Resort. She later served as general manager of Crotched Mountain and now serves as general manager of Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain. Deirdre is focused on operational excellence, team development and exceptional guest experiences, and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of ski industry leaders and expanding opportunities for women in mountain operations.
Deirdre Riley has built more than two decades of experience in mountain operations, beginning her ski industry career at Stowe Mountain Resort and progressing through frontline and leadership roles in lift operations, ski patrol, guest services and resort management. Her career has included leadership positions at Park City Mountain and Crested Butte Mountain Resort before she returned to New Hampshire in 2020 as senior mountain operations manager at Attitash Mountain Resort. She later served as general manager of Crotched Mountain and now serves as general manager of Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain. Deirdre is focused on operational excellence, team development and exceptional guest experiences, and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of ski industry leaders and expanding opportunities for women in mountain operations.
Katherine Seleski
Small Ski Areas Consultant, Alberta
Katherine Seleski has built her career in small, independent ski area operations, beginning at age 17 at Alberta’s Castle Mountain Resort, where she worked across nearly every department. She later spent six years as general manager of Pass Powderkeg, helping transform the small, nonprofit ski area through new programming, infrastructure improvements and community partnerships. Katherine returned to Castle in 2024 as project manager, overseeing major capital projects and developing new systems to streamline complex initiatives. A 2020 SAM “10 Under 30” honoree and 2025 SAMMY Award recipient, Katherine has also served on the Canada West Ski Areas Association’s Small Areas Committee and board of directors. She is a graduate of Selkirk College’s Ski Resort Operations and Management program and holds a bachelor of management from the University of Lethbridge.
Katherine Seleski has built her career in small, independent ski area operations, beginning at age 17 at Alberta’s Castle Mountain Resort, where she worked across nearly every department. She later spent six years as general manager of Pass Powderkeg, helping transform the small, nonprofit ski area through new programming, infrastructure improvements and community partnerships. Katherine returned to Castle in 2024 as project manager, overseeing major capital projects and developing new systems to streamline complex initiatives. A 2020 SAM “10 Under 30” honoree and 2025 SAMMY Award recipient, Katherine has also served on the Canada West Ski Areas Association’s Small Areas Committee and board of directors. She is a graduate of Selkirk College’s Ski Resort Operations and Management program and holds a bachelor of management from the University of Lethbridge.
Brandon Swartz
General Manager, Smugglers' Notch, Vt.
Brandon Swartz has built his ski industry career across a wide range of mountain operations and leadership roles. He began as a ski instructor at Mount Snow before studying ski resort management at Lyndon State College. His career has included positions in ski patrol at Burke Mountain, the race department at Keystone Resort, lift maintenance at Hunter Mountain and lift operations at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Brandon went on to lead mountain operations at Wilmot Mountain before taking on his first general manager role at Hidden Valley, Mo. He joined Attitash Mountain Resort in 2022 and later served as general manager of Attitash and Wildcat before being named general manager of Smugglers' Notch in 2026. A participant in one of the first SAM Summit Series classes, Brandon now returns to the program as an industry mentor.
Brandon Swartz has built his ski industry career across a wide range of mountain operations and leadership roles. He began as a ski instructor at Mount Snow before studying ski resort management at Lyndon State College. His career has included positions in ski patrol at Burke Mountain, the race department at Keystone Resort, lift maintenance at Hunter Mountain and lift operations at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Brandon went on to lead mountain operations at Wilmot Mountain before taking on his first general manager role at Hidden Valley, Mo. He joined Attitash Mountain Resort in 2022 and later served as general manager of Attitash and Wildcat before being named general manager of Smugglers' Notch in 2026. A participant in one of the first SAM Summit Series classes, Brandon now returns to the program as an industry mentor.
Steve Wright
President and General Manager, Jay Peak Resort, Vt.
Steve Wright has spent more than three decades in the ski industry, getting his start as a lift attendant at Breckenridge in 1989 after working as an editor at Random House Publishing. He went on to spend 10 years in marketing and sales at Killington before joining Jay Peak as chief marketing officer in 2004. Known for his creative approach to resort marketing and brand building, Steve moved into the general manager role at Jay Peak in 2016 and now serves as president and general manager. Over the course of his career, his teams have earned numerous industry honors, including NSAA Marketing Awards and recognition in SAM’s annual Best/Worst Marketing.Steve has also previously served as a mentor in the SAM Summit Series, returning this year to help guide the program’s next group of rising leaders.
Steve Wright has spent more than three decades in the ski industry, getting his start as a lift attendant at Breckenridge in 1989 after working as an editor at Random House Publishing. He went on to spend 10 years in marketing and sales at Killington before joining Jay Peak as chief marketing officer in 2004. Known for his creative approach to resort marketing and brand building, Steve moved into the general manager role at Jay Peak in 2016 and now serves as president and general manager. Over the course of his career, his teams have earned numerous industry honors, including NSAA Marketing Awards and recognition in SAM’s annual Best/Worst Marketing.Steve has also previously served as a mentor in the SAM Summit Series, returning this year to help guide the program’s next group of rising leaders.
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