Winter Wildlands Alliance is thrilled to welcome John Commiskey to our Board of Directors. John officially joined the board in November 2025, bringing decades of leadership experience, a deep commitment to nonprofit service, and a lifelong passion for winter landscapes and human-powered recreation.

A Career Grounded In Strategy and Service

John is a seasoned business and strategy leader with more than two decades of experience at leading technology companies, including 18 years at Amazon and five years at Expedia. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

“I am deeply committed to applying this experience in service of nonprofit organizations working in areas I am passionate about through board-level leadership.”

That commitment shows up clearly in his long history of nonprofit involvement. John has served as Board President of the Northwest Avalanche Center, held leadership roles with the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition and Blue Earth Alliance, and spent a decade deeply involved with the Washington Alpine Club as a student, trip leader, and instructor for mountaineering, ski touring, and avalanche awareness courses.

The Places That Shape Us

John has lived in Seattle for more than 25 years, a place that has profoundly shaped his relationship with the outdoors.

“I have been backcountry skiing for more than 20 years and have also been involved with a number of nonprofit organizations focused on education, awareness, and training to help others safely pursue recreation in mountain environments.”

Beyond skiing, John enjoys hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, cycling, sailing, and traveling the world in pursuit of adventure. But it’s winter landscapes — and their rapid changes — that motivate his involvement today.

“Having seen firsthand how our winter landscapes are changing, I am passionate about helping preserve and protect the winter environments that have shaped much of my adult life.”

Why Winter Wildlands Alliance

For John, Winter Wildlands Alliance’s strength lies in both its reach and its collaborative approach.

“One of the things I most often highlight about Winter Wildlands Alliance is its unique model of working with more than 30 grassroots organizations to advance its mission and achieve impact at a national level.”

He’s especially energized by WWA’s role in policy and advocacy.

“I am also particularly excited about WWA’s policy and advocacy work, which represents and empowers the winter backcountry and conservation community on critical issues such as climate and conservation, sustainable access to public lands, and thoughtful engagement in the legislative process.”

As a new board member, John is eager to contribute his expertise to the organization’s long-term success.

“I am excited about the opportunity to engage on these issues at a national scale, while contributing to organizational development, strategic planning and execution, and long-term funding opportunities.”

We’re honored to welcome John to the Winter Wildlands Alliance board and look forward to the insight, leadership, and passion he brings as we continue working to protect America’s wild snowscapes.