Our Advisory Council is comprised of incredible sportswomen across the nation, who guide us as an advisory council. They provide feedback on our program development and activities, guide us in implementing our mission and working towards our goals, and are available to mentor our Ambassadors. Many of them have previously served as or currently are Ambassadors; in that sense, the Advisory Council is also an opportunity for Ambassador alumni to continue meaningfully contributing to Artemis and steering sportswomen’s leadership in conservation.
Kami Elsisie
Kami is Wyoming-born, but grew up in New Mexico for most of her life. She is a strong Dine woman with a passion for the outdoors and identifies as an “Adult Onset Hunter,” and her passion for the outdoors started at a young age by having experiences including rafting the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, pack trips by horse in the Gila Wilderness, fishing and canoeing in the Arctic Circle in Alaska and much more.
Her passions now include hunting waterfowl, upland, small game and big game throughout the Western part of the United States as well as becoming a new bird dog handler. Kami is very active within the conservation community to include HerUpland Southwest Regional Coordinator, NMGF Volunteer Hunter Safety Educator, NewHunter.org Mentor and a mentor with Impact Outdoors in New Mexico. When Kami is not working hard on conservation, education and public policy she works full time as a Paramedic in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Morgan Harrell
Morgan was raised by a forester father and a biologist mother in Colleton County, South Carolina where the outside was always the preferred playground and the most frequented grocery store. She currently works in government affairs in Columbia but spends as much time as possible in the woods or wherever she can find something to put in the freezer. Morgan loves to share her love of the outdoors through food and is always trying new recipes. She believes strongly in the need to conserve the unique beauty and bounty of our lands for future generations. Morgan is thrilled for this opportunity to share her outdoor life with other women in South Carolina and across the country.
Maggie Heumann
Maggie was born and raised in the Appalachian foothills of North Alabama and was drawn to the outdoors from as far back as she can remember. Growing up on a farm with a big lake, she discovered her passion for insects, fishing and the natural world at an early age. She holds an Undergraduate Degree in Poultry Science from Auburn University and a Master’s in Entomology from the University of Nebraska. After a post-college stint working in a fly shop, Maggie became the manager of Orvis Jackson Hole and now serves as Trout Unlimited’s Director of Engagement Partnerships.
She is also an active member and supporter of her local TU chapters and conservation organizations, providing entomology education for folks around the region. She is a co-founder of Artemis Sportswomen and currently serves on the board of The Salmonfly Project. When she’s not working or volunteering, Maggie loves spending time on the water or exploring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—her backyard—with her husband, Hunter, their two daughters, Cricket and Pen, and their four dogs, Bug, Missy, Bee, and Diffie.
Kelly VanBeek
Kelly VanBeek is a lifelong Wisconsinite and currently calls the greater Madison area home. She’s been a professional wildlife biologist in public service for 8 years, with experiences including managing habitat on both private and public lands, public engagement on many wildlife issues, and integrating ecological and social science at large geographic scales for grasslands conservation.
Kelly has a passion for empowering women in the conservation profession, as land owners and stewards, and the outdoor recreation space. Her calendar pulses around spring turkeys, fall whitetails, and most recently, bird dogs, with a smattering of canoe camping, trail hiking, and dog training in between.
Kyla West
Kyla is a graduate of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science, but began her professional commitment as a wildlife biologist at age 15. Since then, Kyla has developed a robust interdisciplinary scientific and applied research portfolio which includes work in wildlife rehabilitation, habitat management, population monitoring, ecology-based restoration, policy, and mitigating negative human-wildlife interactions.
With a particular focus on carnivore conservation and management, Kyla has researched keystone and endangered species across the country. She advocates for public engagement in science by collaborating with diverse stakeholder groups to inform wildlife management programs and policies. Concomitant to Artemis’ values, her commitment to species restoration, conservation, and education, combined with strong considerations in ethics and heritage, has been a consistent part of her work.
