Jen’s story began when she and her family moved to Park City in order to build a life centered around outdoor adventures and fostering a love of nature in their children.
However, in July of 2021, life took an unexpected turn when Jen’s husband tragically passed away in an electric skateboarding accident. Grieving their loss and determined to honor her husband’s memory, Jen knew she wanted to make a difference. A close friend asked her if she had ever considered starting a foundation, and the idea began to take shape.
Drawing from her background as an Emergency Department Manager and specialty certifying instructor for nurses, Jen envisioned a way to merge her passion for education with her commitment to safety in outdoor activities. The result was the Wilderness Instruction for Outdoor Life Skills Foundation, or WILS Foundation, named in honor of her husband.
Since its founding in 2022, the WILS Foundation has made a significant impact. The cornerstone of its mission is empowering outdoor enthusiasts, especially teens and coaches, with life-saving first aid knowledge.
WILS Foundation, in collaboration with Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, created an innovative 8-hour training course—combining online learning with hands-on, real-life scenarios—that bridges the gap between basic and wilderness first aid. Her team works with NICA and Utah’s High School Cycling League, to teach coaches and athletes vital skills like CPR, AED usage, bleeding control, and splinting techniques.
The foundation also advocates for helmet safety, partnering with local businesses, schools, and hospitals to provide helmet fittings, education, and giveaways. Their outreach extends to school fairs, community events, and even mountain bike races, ensuring safety and education are accessible to all.
Jen’s passion for empowering others is evident in the countless stories she hears from those who’ve taken her classes. Coaches frequently share how the skills they learned gave them the confidence to handle emergencies, and students leave feeling equipped to care for others in critical moments.
But the work doesn’t stop there—Jen and her team are currently working out semantics and what the best method of education for an online e-bike safety course for teens looks like, with the goal of widespread education on this topic.
You can support the WILS Foundation by donating, volunteering, or bringing their impactful training to your team or community. Visit the Wils Foundation website to learn more!
