Mena Ayazi

Growing up in Washington DC as the proud daughter of Afghan immigrants, Mena and her family found solace in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, where they were able to rebuild their lives and use nature as a healing tool. Mena embraced large family camping trips, kayaking on the Potomac River, and catching fireflies in her backyard. Her connection to nature comes from a place of peace, where she sees the power it holds to transform, heal, and protect the most vulnerable.

Driven by her passion for non-violence and social justice, Mena received her BS and MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. Mena’s work portfolio over the past five years has had a focus on building youth capacity for leadership, managing fundraising portfolios for international non-profits, and elevating youth voices through implementing communications strategies and collective advocacy campaigns. Mena is extremely excited to join the BCM family where she sees her passions for youth development, communications, non-violence, and the outdoors coming together to support youth in her own backyard.

After spending her life right outside of Washington DC, she made the move to Colorado to embrace her granola passions just a few years ago. Mena is a full time RVer with her partner and their three fur babies, Xena, Lucifer, and Toby. Aside from exploring Colorado’s backcountry, Mena enjoys strengthening her spiritual practice of yoga, experimenting with high-elevation baking, and staying up to date with international soccer.