Our Team
Aspen Wilks
Co-founder of Women in Rescue
Aspen Wilks brings her commitment and advocacy for rescue and passion for outdoor recreation to Women in Rescue. She is dedicated to providing women in rescue fields the educational, access and leadership tools required to create a diverse and empowered rescue community and amplify the impacts women make in this vital line of work.
Aspen’s dedication for serving others through search and rescue began when she was 19, and she has continued to develop strong technical and leadership skills sets. Aspen is a certified technical rock technician, specializing in high and low angle technical rescue and holds an AAIRE I certification. She has served her rescue organization as Vice President of the Board of Directors, as well as Stores Chair and training coordinator positions and helped organize event and fundraising efforts.
Aspen holds a Masters degree in Biochemical Nutrition from the University of Texas- Austin and bachelor degrees in nutrition, psychology and evolutionary anthropology. She is a nutritionist and a science and health educator. Her academic and professional background provides a solid foundation for her work, allowing her to approach challenges in the rescue industry with a multidisciplinary perspective.
When not working or advocating for women in rescue spaces, Aspen is an enthusiastic outdoorswoman. An experienced traditional and sport rock climber, mountain biker and skier, her outdoor pursuits drive her dedication to serving the outdoor community through rescue efforts.
As a staunch advocate for gender equality in the field, Aspen remains dedicated to creating a more inclusive rescue community.
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Cassy Aguirre
Co-founder of Women in Rescue
Cassy Aguirre is not your average high school science teacher; she's a dedicated educator with a passion for adventure and community service. Holding a Master's degree in Biology and a license as an educator in New Mexico, Cassy brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and real-world experience to her classroom.
Beyond the school walls, Cassy is a co-founder of "Women in Rescue," a platform she helped create to empower and connect women in the field of search and rescue. Her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in traditionally male-dominated industry is evident in both her professional and extracurricular pursuits.
When she's not inspiring young minds in the classroom, Cassy is out adventuring. A lover of traditional rock climbing, backcountry skiing, pack rafting, and gravel biking, she finds joy and challenge in the great outdoors. Cassy's dedication to pushing her limits and exploring new horizons extends beyond recreation; she is a ten-year veteran volunteer mountain rescuer.
Cassy has actively contributed to her local volunteer team, taking on leadership roles such as Public Relations Chair, Fundraising Chair, and Board Member (Member at Large). As a technical leader on her team, she has led training initiatives for the team, sharing her expertise in high angle, low angle, search, winter technical, and avalanche rescue.
Her involvement with "Women in Rescue" goes beyond advocacy; she actively works to build community and connect women rescuers across the United States and the world. Through her leadership roles and training efforts, Cassy Aguirre is an individual whose passion for education, adventure, and community service converge to make a positive impact.
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Ryan Flanagan
Photographer
The man behind the camera, Ryan captures the spirit of rescue in his images. Armed with a Photographic Technology education from the prestigious Rochester Institute of Technology, Ryan seamlessly blends technical expertise with artistic flair. His diverse experience spans portrait, event, and scientific photography, showcasing his versatility in the field. Beyond the lens, Ryan has been actively involved in search and rescue since 2019, bringing a passion for both the technical and creative aspects of photography to the field.
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