Jenna Cordesius, Founder & CEO

Jenna (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Northern California, but it wasn’t long before she found a true sense of home in Colorado.

Her journey began in 2011 when she moved to Fort Collins to intern at a preschool for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, volunteer with Special Olympics Colorado, and work for the Colorado State University Student Disability Center. Jenna earned degrees in Human Development & Family Studies and International Relations from CSU, then headed to Winter Park, Colorado, where she worked on and off the ski mountain for the National Sports Center for the Disabled.

Jenna’s passion for inclusive programming deepened as she specialized in working with youth and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She took on roles as an After-School Program Coordinator, Unified Basketball Coach, and Inclusive Travel Planner.

In 2017, Jenna planned her first Traveling Gnomes trip to Winter Park, Colorado, and it became clear: travel was essential for everyone. After the success of that trip, Jenna was motivated to create more opportunities for people of all abilities to explore the world. With a nomadic spirit, a passion for inclusion, and years of experience working with diverse populations, The Traveling Gnomes was born!

LinsiAn Loadman-Copeland, ctrs, Program Director

LinsiAn (she/her/hers) is a Colorado native who ventured out to the Midwest for college, but was not fond of the corn fields and lack of skiing Iowa offered. LinsiAn returned to Colorado post-grad and settled down in Littleton, CO.

LinsiAn graduated from the University of Iowa with her B.S in Therapeutic Recreation. In July of 2019 she sat for the NCTRC examination where she successfully attained her certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. LinsiAn is passionate about working with individuals of all abilities and helping them gain new experiences while reaching set goals. 

LinsiAn began working with individuals with disabilities in high school at a local therapeutic riding center and with Special Olympics Colorado as a gymnastics coach. In college LinsiAn got the opportunity to assist with the planning and running of multiple programs for Special Olympics Iowa, including their Youth Games. LinsiAn grew her leadership skills and gained extensive experience from her time with Easterseals Wisconsin & Colorado, Camp Courageous of Iowa, a year round camp for individuals with disabilities, Courageous Travels, and Challenge Aspen.

LinsiAn is so excited for the opportunity to join this amazing team and to spread the importance of inclusion!

Ben Rivet, CTRS, Program Supervisor

Ben (he/him/his) is from Knoxville. Born and raised in East Tennessee, Ben ended up at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville for his undergraduate, where he earned a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. In his time as an undergraduate, Ben worked with individuals with disabilities through his time as an Activity Staff at Camp Koinonia, an overnight camp for children with disabilities, and his internship at The Traveling Gnomes in 2023.

In June 2025, Ben sat for the NCTRC exam, where he earned his certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. In May 2026, he earned his Master’s degree in Recreational Therapy from the University of Tennessee. In his time in the graduate program, Ben worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, where he co-directed Camp Isagoge and Camp Koinonia, overseeing camper applications, intake, staffing, training, and programming. He received the 2026 Camp Koinonia Award for exceptional leadership.

In his time in graduate school, Ben studied and researched the therapeutic benefits of overnight programming for individuals with disabilities. In his time at Camp Koinonia and with The Traveling Gnomes, he noticed a unique power in this model of programming, and with a growing passion for these services, he began studying how these benefits appear and what causes them in order to help programmers optimally plan overnight programs.

When not working, Ben enjoys playing soccer, watching films, and exploring.

Paige Jovaisa, CTRS, Program Coordinator

Paige (she/her) is excited to return to The Traveling Gnomes as the new Youth Program Coordinator after completing her Therapeutic Recreation internship with the team in December. Originally from Michigan, Paige recently made the move to colorful Colorado and brings with her a passion for creating inclusive, joy-filled experiences for young adventurers of all abilities.

She graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Recreational Therapy and Rehabilitation, along with a minor in Disability Studies. With experience supporting individuals across all age groups and abilities, Paige is dedicated to helping others lead meaningful, fun-filled lives through play, connection, and travel.

When she’s not planning the next big adventure, you’ll find her hanging out with friends, exploring new places, or on a mission to find the best local bites.

She can’t wait to help campers grow, explore, and make memories that last a lifetime!

Elisa Needham, CTRS, Program Coordinator

Elisa (she/her/hers) was born in Boston but raised in North Carolina, and has spent the last decade exploring the outdoors all over the East and West.

She graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a degree in Recreation Therapy and obtained her Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist certification in 2023. After completing an internship in Mental/Behavioral health, Elisa worked as ski instructor and zipline guide in West Virginia, solidifying her passion for nature and its healing properties.

After working on the Rec Therapy team at a Neuro-Phys Rehab hospital for Spinal Cord and Brain Injuries in Denver, Elisa spent the winter with the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, earning her PSIA Alpine Level 1 and teaching adaptive ski and snowboard lessons for individuals of any disabilities. Elisa is passionate about helping others lead empowered and meaningful fun-filled lives through recreation, leisure, and connection.

In her free time Elisa loves to be outside, hanging with friends, or baking a fresh loaf of sourdough bread. She is excited to join the Traveling Gnomes and help travelers make memories of a lifetime!

Evan Weirich, equipment specialist

Evan (he/him/his) was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado with a sense of adventure and willingness to explore new places. He has a passion for the outdoors with some of his favorite hobbies being fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and recently fly fishing. 

He graduated from Heritage High School in 2014 in Littleton and currently also works at Garden, Inc. as a behavior therapist. He has been involved in Special Olympics Basketball as a partner and assistant coach for 10+ years and evolved into working with people with disabilities as a profession.

He also loves to travel (road trips are his jam) and is looking forward to the opportunity for it to be inclusive for all.