Meet our 2022 Maker Team. These 9 people are daring greatly to make projects that they couldn't find anywhere else. From mountain high adventures to remote landscapes, from train stations to classrooms - our maker team is doing it all. 

Our 2022 Maker Team

Ben Leoni


Pronouns:      he/him

From:                Colorado, USA

Making:           Backcountry Skiing Pack

Instagram:     @thatskiinglawyerguy

Bio:                      During the week, I'm a federal lands environmental lawyer with the U.S. Department of the Interior and on the weekends, I'm a semi-professional backcountry skier. I'm also a new dad and learning so many new things about being a parent. I initially got into sewing when I worked for a sailmaker in Maine in the late spring during college in the mid-2000s. I used scrap material during my lunch hour to sew my own duffel bags and computer sling bags out of all kinds of sail material - from carbon fiber to simple dacron.

Courtney Coston


Pronouns:      she/her

From:                 British Columbia, Canada

Making:           Travel-to-Trail Backpack

Instagram:     @driftingmaple

Bio:                      Hi, I'm Courtney - a remote travel nurse and partner acrobat! I split my time between traveling to small communities (<1000) to provide health care, and teaching amateur partner acrobatics to adults. When I'm not doing either of those things, I am mostly found outside in the mountains (when possible) or trying out some new sport.

Ezra Schofield


Pronouns:      he/him

From:                Utah, USA

Making:           Integrated Rafting Tent

Instagram:     @ezraschofield

Bio:                      I'm 25 years old living in Salt Lake City, UT where I was born and raised. I currently work at an ad agency doing graphic design and video production and spend my summers as a commercial whitewater rafting guide with Holiday River Expeditions. I find myself outside enjoying all Salt Lake and nearby parts of Utah have to offer whether than be skiing, biking, hiking, or camping.

Hans Van Housen


Pronouns:      he/him

From:                California, USA

Making:           Bikepacking Bags

Instagram:     @leadlinedmind

Bio:                      Professionally I am a dental hygienist, but I like to focus on my free time with my dog Randy, riding bikes, or snowboarding. I like to do a lot of art; film photography, jewelry, or metal work. I am a mega nerd. I have two singer sewing machines. My main machine is one my grandmother got after she was married in 1949.

John Palmasano


Pronouns:      he/him

From:                Jeju, South Korea

Making:           Backpack

Instagram:     @johnnythunder.makes

Bio:                      I have always been an absolute gear addict. As a teenager, I imagined that the best possible job a person could have would involve piles of free gear and time spent in the outdoors. While I never found that perfect gig I sure spent a lot of my own cash on gear from companies large and small.

Laurianne Bernard


Pronouns:      she/her

From:                Scotland, United Kingdom

Making:            Tailored Rain Gear

Instagram:     @lorienknits

Bio:                       Hi ! I'm Lauriane, I sew and knit my own clothes for daily wear and I make my own patterns. I own a domestic sewing machine (Elna) and all the tools needed but I've never sewn outdoor gear. I'm a french girl but currently living in Scotland and therefore I have to wear windproof and rainproof gear almost every time I'm leaving home.

Mason Strehl


Pronouns:      he/him

From:                Oregon, USA

Making:           UL Camera Gear + Dog Items

Instagram:     @mason.strehl

Bio:                      My name is Mason Strehl. I'm from Fairbanks, Alaska, but I'm currently living in Portland, Oregon, as a temporary home base after traveling in my truck around the western US for the past three years. I'm a photographer by trade, shooting studio and lifestyle photos for outdoor gear companies. All of that is an excuse to get outdoors and travel, hike, ski, surf, bike or climb anytime I can.

Michelle Kim


Pronouns:      she/her

From:                Washington DC, USA

Making:           Custom Backpack

Instagram:     @stitchbackstories

Bio:                      Howdy! I'm Michelle, and Hyewon is my Korean name. My sewing journey began in middle school when I discovered a cute bunny plushie on the internet that looked simple enough to make myself. I would take apart my stuffed animals and clothing to deconstruct how they were made and eventually took those problem-solving skills to pursue a degree in design.

Tanner Gerrard


Pronouns:      he/him

From:                Utah, USA

Making:           Alpine Climbing Pack

Instagram:     @gerrard.tanner

Bio:                      I'm Tanner Gerrard, a design student here at Utah State University. I love outdoor endurance sports. I enjoy rock climbing, ski touring, triathlon, and trail running. Along with my passion for the outdoors, I spend much of my time designing. My focus is on technical outerwear and soft goods.

Wen Zeng


Pronouns:      she/her

From:                California, USA

Making:           Day Pack, Brompton Pack, Lumbar Pack

Instagram:     @weennnz

Bio:                      I'm a software Product Manager by day and an insatiably curious person always. I enjoy working on projects of all kinds, from building my own keyboard and working on bicycles to making my own gear! Other than making things, I also enjoy film photography, playing piano, hand-tool woodworking, cooking, stargazing, reading microhistory books, and gardening.