Team

Joanna Wheelton

Executive Director

EXPERIENCE
Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, BS
Utah State University
Juris Doctorate, Syracuse University College of Law

With over twenty years’ experience as an attorney and executive, Joanna melds her love of the outdoors with her administration experience as the passionate and dedicated Executive Director of the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation.

PASSION
Learning to ski at Snowbird when she was a toddler and starting her racing career at Brighton, Jo dreams about skiing 365 days a year. Working in the canyons allows her to follow her second dream as an avid nature lover and biologist.

FOR FUN
Jo’s happiest moments are spending time with her husband and their children. She loves to garden, fish, hike, and explore the Utah desert. Jo also enjoys spending time at their family home in Serbia.

Ella Abelli-Amen

Plants Stewardship Director

EXPERIENCE
B.S. Biology, California Polytechnic State University, SLO
M.S. Biology, California Polytechnic State University, SLO

Originally from Petaluma, California, Ella spent six years studying plant ecology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Her experience ranges from greenhouse management and alpine plant surveys to teaching botany labs for undergraduates while her research focused on plant and animal interaction ecology and GIS. Now, she collaborates with community partners to manage invasive plants, restore native species through planting and monitoring of rare plants, and engages with the community through education and stewardship to build ecological resilience across the Tri-canyons.

PASSION
Ella is passionate about preserving the biodiversity of the canyons, spreading the delight of learning to identify plants, and connecting the community with the natural world through recreation.

FOR FUN
You can find Ella trad climbing, skiing, or trail running in the Tri-canyons. She also loves yoga, gardening, and birdwatching.

Emily Salle

Trail Stewardship Director

EXPERIENCE
Environmental Science: Ecology, BA
University of Virginia

Emily first discovered trail work in 2020 after returning from two and a half years of working and traveling in South and Central America. She spent two seasons leading young adult crews in Northwest Colorado and one season building mountain bike trails in Northern Utah. Her professional experience mostly ranges among sustainable agriculture, language education, and crew management.

PASSION
In her role for CCF, she’s motivated to do high-quality work, foster a crew of curious and responsible individuals, and create strong relationships that enhance the community and environment that she serves. Her commitment to environmental stewardship and ethics is the inspiration for her work.

FOR FUN
Trail crew is all the fun one could ever hope for! Just kidding. Emily also enjoys biking in all forms, swimming (legally) in beautiful mountain water, camping trips with friends, going to concerts, growing too many vegetables, skiing all winter, and being outside all day everyday.

Liz Anderson

Education Director

EXPERIENCE
A.O.S. Culinary Arts Johnson & Wales College
Providence, RI

Growing up in our National Parks ignited her love and commitment to the great outdoors. Working over 31 years in the Hotel hospitality field allowed her to continue her love of travel and learning. She has worn many hats in the Food and Beverage field, where she honed her strength in developing teams and management skills.

PASSION
Liz has always had a love for volunteering and environmental stewardship. Whether a citizen scientist, volunteering over a decade with the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation (alongside her family), a State Park volunteer, Boy Scout leader or Community involvement; she commits to her passions with total energy and enthusiasm.

FOR FUN
Liz lives by: if it’s not fun and you are not learning , it’s not worth doing. Traveling the country and dining with her family, crafting, reading, foraging, creating, cooking, camping, gardening, hiking, birding, exploring new local places. She loves any excuse to be outside.