I am originally from Austria, though have been living in the U.S. for the past 14 years. I have always been physically active: skiing from an early age, an avid runner and hiker, and count my 85-year-old mom, who swims and walks daily as my inspiration. So naturally when I moved to New York, I joined the Shorewalkers!
Where did you lead your first walk for the Shorewalkers?
In November 2019, I led a beer walk in Brooklyn and while the weather was less than ideal (it poured rain all day), the beer was excellent! It turned out to be the start of a fun tradition, and I now lead several walks annually through Brooklyn and Queens to visit my favorite craft breweries.
What types of walks do you enjoy leading?
I prefer longer walks, 10 miles and beyond, which allow you to truly experience the many different neighborhoods of the city and discover places you might never see otherwise.
I also enjoy leading walks that follow water and green corridors through the city, especially where partner organizations do great work both for the community and the environment, like the Bronx River Alliance.
Do you have a favorite walk?
One of my favorites is the 20-mile walk from Long Beach to Coney Island. We walk mainly along boardwalks and the shoreline. It feels like a mini vacation right here in New York.
Where can we find you when you’re not leading a walk?
I work as a management consultant and fractional CFO, which can be both demanding and fast-paced. It’s why I love spending weekends with the Shorewalkers! Being outdoors, getting exercise and connecting with this amazing community provides the perfect life balance.
What else should we know about you?
I enjoy bringing Austria closer to my Shorewalker friends. For example, by organizing visits to the Austrian Cultural Forum New York to attend interesting art exhibitions. Most recently, I also took a Shorewalker group to Austria to take part in Burgenland Extrem, a long winter walk around a lake, which was a fantastic shared experience.
I have also been serving as Treasurer of Shorewalkers for over 6 years. It is so rewarding to contribute my professional skills to support an organization I care deeply about. Working alongside such a dedicated and passionate board and volunteer team makes it even more meaningful.
