Betsy Carver
Executive Director
BETSY@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Betsy joined the River Discovery team in March 2017. She grew up in Wyoming, went to school at the University of Idaho and spent time in Missouri, Alaska, Oregon and California before settling down in Boise for good in 2014. Betsy loves building relationships with the River Discovery community, supporters and participants.
Ben Murry
PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BEN@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
A native of New York, Ben has a Master’s degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina and has worked in and managed a variety of intensive care units for more than 30 years. He also served as the Director of Nursing at Saint Alphonsus for seven years. In his spare time, Ben particularly enjoys biking, hiking, camping and kayaking.
Lisette Henderson
TREASURER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LISETTE@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Lisette, a native Idahoan, is currently an Assistant Manager at Idaho Central Credit Union where she has gained knowledge in finance and budgeting. Her time with ICCU has led to a large quantity of volunteer hours. A graduate of Boise State University with a BS in Criminal Justice, Lisette enjoys hiking, running, and being outdoors.
Kathi Denton
SECRETARY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KATHI@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Kathi has been involved with River Discovery since 2014, participating and volunteering. She loves the laughter, healing, peacefulness, and friendship each adventure brings to the participants.
Mary Bower
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARY@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Mary a founding board member and continues to serve. She lived in Salmon where she became friends with River Discovery founders, Joe and Fran. As a guide on the Salmon River for many years she knows and enjoys the magic of the river and the healing that survivors find on outdoor adventures.
Dan Hernandez
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DAN@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Dan was drawn to backcountry adventures from an early age. After finishing his PhD, the dream of having wild places at his family’s doorstep made relocating to Boise an easy decision . With 15 years of guiding experience and working as a medical physicist at St. Luke’s Cancer Institute, his personal and career passions are a natural fit.
Glenn LaRock
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GLENN@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Glenn was raised in Vermont, and moved from Boston to Boise in 2015 to join the care team at St. Luke’s Cancer Institute. Two years ago he became the Social Worker Manager and currently helps guide operations of the Supportive Oncology team across all five St Luke’s Cancer Institute locations. Glenn has an extensive background in mental health services and fell in love with the river as a River Discovery Volunteer.
Jennie Newman
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JENNIE@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Jennie is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work at Boise State University. She enjoys high alpine lakes, kayaking, snowboarding, biking, attending concerts and traveling. She has a BS in Psychology from BSU and a MS in Conservation Social Sciences from the UI and has worked in a range of human-focused areas including environmental education, in-patient psychiatric treatment, and developmental disabilities.
Kim Mehlhaff
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KIM@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Kim Mehlhaff is an Idaho native that graduated from the University of Idaho in Fish & Wildlife. Currently she is an RN and has worked in home health and regulation compliance. She is always excited to explore a new part of Idaho including hiking, kayaking, SUP, biking, camping, hot springs and meeting others who enjoy the outdoors. River Discovery is the perfect match with her joy of being outside and is looking forward to helping participants connect with nature on an outdoor adventure.
Liz Ryder
BOARD DIRECTOR
LIZ@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Originally from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, Liz has come to love the high desert and mountain landscapes of Idaho. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) she serves as St. Luke’s Cancer Institute Chaplain. She greatly enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities but especially loves backpacking. Exploring the wilderness restores her soul, and she is looking forward to experiencing the spirit of the river.
Alan Shaw
BOARD DIRECTOR
ALAN@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Alan joined the board in 2021. He grew up hiking, paddling, and backpacking in the tropical rainforests of Panama. He has rafted and backpacked all over the Western US, and regularly spends time out and about on the rivers and backcountry trails of Idaho, where he has lived since 2006. Professionally, he has many years’ experience as both a licensed counselor and as a licensed acupuncturist. He has been an acupuncturist on the Integrative Medicine team of St. Luke’s Cancer Institute since 2010. In addition to his outdoor pursuits, he is passionate about cooking and playing music.
Amy Tonsmiere
BOARD ADVISOR
AMY@RIVERDISCOVERY.ORG
Amy joined the board in 2014 after her incredible mother Frannie Tonsmiere passed away. The mission and impact of River Discovery really means the world to her as she sees the enormous impact these programs have on those dueling with cancer through her volunteer work as a river guide on summer adventures.