Aviva O'Neil, Executive Director
Aviva is passionate about national parks and protecting wild places. She lived and worked in Zion National Park for 15 years studying spotted owls, peregrine falcons, and testing methods for reintroducing native species. Aviva cares deeply about education and sustainability. She has degrees in Environmental Studies and was an organic farmer for 10 years. “I love getting lost in the timelessness and quiet of Great Basin - touching the oldest trees on Earth and gazing at a brilliant Milky Way… and I love the variety of people that come together to appreciate and support this special place.”
Julie Leung, Development and Communications Manager
Julie enjoys combining her experience in nonprofit management with her background in science and her lifelong love for wild creatures and landscapes. Her previous roles included supporting fundraising and communications in secondary and higher education. She also taught STEM lessons and organized programs for arts and wilderness organizations. Her MFA studies in creative writing focused on the natural world, and her essays explore ecology, place, and belonging. As a trail runner, she starts her days by connecting with the outdoors. While living in Seattle, she volunteered with conservation and community science projects. The mission and work of GBNPF resonates deeply with Julie, and she looks forward to connecting with people and places in her new home state of Nevada.
Claire Cutler, past AmeriCorps VISTA member (2022/23)
Claire served as the Foundation’s first AmeriCorps VISTA member, focusing on education programs, communications, and outreach. Claire attended Georgetown University, where she studied Science, Technology, and International Affairs. She has experience working with government agencies in environmental education and policy. She grew up in Kailua, Hawaii and spent a lot of time visiting family in the Mountain West. She spent a winter living in the Park, during which she enjoyed snowshoeing, running, and how quiet the Park can be during the off-season. She now works for the Continental Divide Trail Coalition.