History & Board of Directors 2026

Co-Chair

Ben is also the founder of the 16,000+ member Facebook group, Hiking Buddies NH 48, that operates as a conduit for individuals to set up group hikes and connect with others in the hiking community.  Professionally, Ben has over 24 years of experience in the financial sector that includes department leadership, people management and investment strategy.  Ben holds an MBA degree, a B.S. in finance and economics, and a graduate certificate in marketing from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as professional certificates in executive presence and change leadership from Cornell University.  Ben is married with 4 children and has hiked all 48 4000-footers in New Hampshire.

Co-Chair

Lynn is an active member of the Hiking Buddies NH 48 Facebook group, and holds Wilderness First Responder credentials.  She is a proud veteran of the CT Army National Guard, and volunteers in various capacities around New England. Lynn holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of CT, and is a freelance photography and marketing professional, concentrating her efforts within the outdoor industry. Lynn lives in central CT, and has a son, Collin (21) who attends woodworking school in northern VT.  In her free time, she is passionate about backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, and volunteering with various organizations and events, Lynn completed her NH48 on her Mom's Birthday, December 2025.

Secretary

Christine has many years of experience with non-profit organizations, including nine years on a municipal finance committee, several years on the executive board of the local Recreation basketball league, and a few years on an arts boosters executive board. Professionally, Christine has a decade of experience working for technology companies and another decade in public libraries. She is currently the Director of a public library in southern NH. Christine fell in love with hiking many years ago and has been slowly working on the 52 With A View list as well as the 48 4ks. Her favorite so far is Moosilauke.

Director of Events & Fundraising

Michelle is a dynamic hiker and entrepreneur, who brings with her over 30 years of fitness coaching as well as nutritional coaching. She moved to New Hampshire in 2024 because of the mountains. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast and along with her love of hiking, she plays tennis and has completed three marathons where has raised over $100,000 for various charities.Michelle has two beautiful adult daughters and one fabulous four legged child as well!

Director of Technology

Joe supports the organization’s technology needs and helps maintain its digital presence as it continues to grow.

Professionally, Joseph serves as Associate Dean overseeing undergraduate and graduate data analytics programs at Southern New Hampshire University, where he also teaches data analytics courses. His background includes over eight years in Information Technology, consulting on data system migrations, and service as a sergeant medic in the Army National Guard supporting both infantry and aviation units.

Joseph is a member of the Healthcare Data & Analytics Association (HDAA) and the International Society for Data Science and Analytics (ISDSA). He earned his MS in Information Technology from Southern New Hampshire University, where he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, and holds a BA in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Rochester.

Outside of work, Joseph enjoys hiking and has completed 19 of New Hampshire’s 48 4,000-footers. He lives in Henniker with his two daughters, two dogs, and two cats (ironically trouble comes in twos). 

Director of Outreach & Engagement

Mel brings a strong background in emergency and medical care, with 5 years of experience as an EMT, 15 years as an Advanced EMT, and the past 7.5 years working as a Surgical Technologist. Mel has also spent multiple years involved in search and rescue efforts and serves on the team for NH Paw Rescue. Deeply rooted in the Mount Washington Valley, Mel is an active member of the outdoor and volunteer community. She is a volunteer and Event Committee member with the Conway Area Humane Society, an ambassador for Oboz Footwear, and a Trail Steward for the Mount Washington Observatory. Over the past six years, she has raised approximately $15,000 for various organizations while hiking alongside her cat, Floki. Mel has completed the NH 48 almost all of the NH Terrifying 25 and Devil's Path and enjoys bushwhacking throughout the White Mountains, with a particular interest in uncovering their hidden history. She is passionate about mental health advocacy, hiker safety, and building supportive outdoor communities. Mel lives in the Mount Washington Valley with her three children and her fiancé, Brent.

Our History

Hiking Buddies has roots dating back to June 2020 where it originated as a social media group focused on connecting people to group hike the 48 4000-footers of NH.  With a grass-roots online presence the group exploded to over 16,000 members and became one of the largest and most active group hiking conduits in the United States.  In 2021, Hiking Buddies began organizing members for positive purposes by supporting fundraisers, planning events, and promoting the safety benefits of group hiking to new and less experienced hikers.   In 2022, several fatalities shook the hiking community, most of which involved solo hikers and heartbreaking outcomes that may have been avoided with education, preparedness, and/or experienced hiking partners.  The mission and heart of Hiking Buddies continued to evolve, and the organization established as a nonprofit corporation in January 2023.  Hiking Buddies is committed to reducing avoidable tragedies through education, community, and impactful projects.   While not all tragedies are avoidable, some are, and Hiking Buddies believes it will quietly save lives by pre-emptively educating, preparing, and connecting hikers.