US Air Force Veteran

Born and raised in Washington, Jocelyn Brackney has always felt a deep connection to the outdoors, though it wasn’t until after serving overseas in the US Air Force that she truly discovered the mountains as a place of healing at purpose. The mountains became more than a sport; it was a way to reclaim her strength, navigate mental health challenges, and push the limits of what she thought was possible.

Her journey in the outdoor community began with volunteering for incredible nonprofits that empowered veterans. Along the way, she saw a critical gap, women veterans in the outdoor space were often overlooked. That realization sparked a deeper mission: ensuring veteran women have access, representation, and the support they deserve.

With over a decade of experience in learning and development, Jocelyn brings a deep passion for education and inclusivity in everything she does; whether in the backcountry, the office, or in her community. She believes that the mountains should be a space for everyone and works to break down barriers so others can find strength, community, and adventure in the wild.

Jocelyn holds a Wilderness First Responder Certification and an AIARE Level 1 with rescue certificate. She is also pursuing both an AMGA Alpine Skills Course as well as Leave No Trace Instructor training. She can be found on Instagram at: @jocelynoutside

Royal Air Force Veteran

Kirsty Mack was raised in Scotland and has always feeling most at home in the outdoors. Her connection to the military runs deep: her father served in the Royal Air Force and her grandfather in the Royal Signals. Both received vital support from veteran organizations in their final years, leaving her with a strong desire to give back to those who have served.

As a mountaineer, Kirsty has climbed five of the Seven Summits, including Mount Everest, and has stood atop more than 25 of the 4000-meter peaks in the Alps. Following a life-changing ski accident that resulted in multiple surgeries and the loss of full function in her dominant arm, Kirsty launched From Surgery to Summit, a personal mission to reclaim, strength, identity, and purpose through the mountains.

A certified outdoor and ski instructor, she has dedicated her life to helping others build confidence and resilience through adventure. She met Ember Ascents founder, Jocelyn Brackney, on an expedition to Aconcagua, where a friendship developed, rooted in the shared belief of the transformative power of the outdoors.

Though based in the UK, Kirsty brings her global perspective, technical skill, and respect for service to the Ember Ascents board. She is proud to help create space for women veterans to reconnect with strength and purpose.

Kirsty can be found on Instagram at: @kirstymackster

US Air Force Veteran

Kylee Hines was born and raised in Washington, where her love for the outdoors began early on. Nature provided her a space to reconnect and regain inner strength, using hiking and snowboarding as ways to push through life's obstacles. She believes in a multifaceted approach to healing, combining outdoor activities with mental health therapies.

With over 15 years of experience in finance, Kylee has worked across the nonprofit, education, and government sectors. Holding dual master’s degrees in Accountancy and Business Administration, she brings a strategic approach to financial management. Throughout her career, she has successfully managed financial operations, developed budgets, and implemented strategies to align with organizational goals, balancing fiscal responsibility with mission-driven initiatives.

Outside of her professional work, Kylee is passionate about lifelong learning and community engagement, particularly through initiatives focused on financial literacy and empowerment.

US Army Veteran

A native Oregonian, Jessica grew up immersed in the outdoors, finding inspiration in the landscapes around her. Her love for nature led her to pursue a B.S. in Agriculture Science with a focus in Forestry, a path that deepened her understanding of the land and its ecosystems. While in school, she earned a full-ride ROTC scholarship with the U.S. Army. In service, Jessica held many roles including a Communications Officer with the 101st Airborne Division and a Company Commander for a drill sergeant unit. After 12 years of service, she was honorably discharged at the rank of Major.

Transitioning out of the military, Jessica found herself drawn back to the outdoors. She pursued a second B.S. in Natural Resource Science with a focus in Fisheries and spent time working with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service. But it was during a yoga retreat on Orcas Island that she had a profound realization: healing wasn’t just about time, it was about movement, mindfulness, and reconnecting with oneself. Inspired by the book, The Body Keeps the Score, she discovered the power of yoga as a tool for both personal and collective healing, inspiring her move to a new career as a yoga instructor. Her journey has reinforced the belief that through movement, we can reclaim our power and rebuild a balanced life.

At Ember Ascents, Jessica is committed to helping veteran women access the healing power of movement both in the outdoors and at home.

Jessica can be found on Instagram at: @yogajessicaj

US Coast Guard Veteran

Beth Kates has always been driven by a desire to serve: whether navigating the open sea, responding to emergencies, or holding space for others in moments of vulnerability. She spent over seven years leading crews across high-stakes missions in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and homeland security.

After transitioning out of the military, she carried her commitment to service into emergency medicine. With degrees in international relations, nursing, and public administration, Beth blends sharp analytical insight with grounded empathy.

Now based in Washington, she splits her time between Bellingham and Seattle, where the mountains, forests, and snow-covered slopes offer space to reset and reconnect. Whether snowboarding through fresh powder, biking down rocky terrain, or supporting a child through recovery, Beth continues to show up with resilience, heart, and a deep respect for the human experience.

At Ember Ascents, Beth is passionate about helping others navigate change with courage. She is currently pursuing certification in life coaching, inspired by her own journey of transformation and a belief that healing is not only possible, but powerful.

Beth can be found on Instagram at: @oh_wild_beth

Mountain Guide
Wilderness Educator

Emily Johnston is an emergency medicine physician with over 30 years of experience guiding in wild, remote places. She began climbing in the North Cascades at age 13, summiting Glacier Peak. That early spark grew into a lifelong pursuit of high, cold, and wild landscapes. She’s guided expeditions on Mt. Rainier, Denali, and peaks across the Himalayas, Mexico, Antarctica, and South America, and has worked as a mountain guide, whitewater guide, and professional ski patroller.

Emily has spent decades teaching wilderness and tactical medicine, cold weather operations, avalanche safety, and technical rescue skills.

Beyond her alpine life, she's lived, studied, or worked in the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Thailand, France, New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Indonesia, DR Congo, Nepal, Bhutan, and Ukraine.

Her training includes EMT-B, Leave No Trace Trainer, AAA Level 3 Certification, and MD. When she's not climbing, she works as a whitewater guide, ER doc, and professional ski patroller. In all of her spare time, she enjoys backcountry skiing, writing, trail running, mountain biking, and the occasional refuge of silent meditation.