Rim to Rim: North to South

Melissa Giovanni has been exploring the southwest for over 20 years, considers herself a true desert lizard, and loves the heat! She first visited Grand Canyon during her undergraduate geology field camp at the University of Arizona, where she ultimately earned her B.S. in geology. Melissa then moved to UCLA for her Ph.D., also in geology. While her doctoral studies focused on the geological evolution of the Peruvian Andes, she discovered her passion for teaching and while still a graduate student, led her very first field trip to Grand Canyon.

During a decade of teaching geology at two different universities, Melissa was able to develop her field teaching skills in locales all around Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Currently a professor at the College of Southern Nevada, she teaches both environmental science and geology. She has been invited to speak at public seminars and for private groups all around the Grand Canyon region.

Since joining the Field Institute in 2016, Melissa's love for Grand Canyon, the Colorado River, public lands, and conservation continues to grow exponentially. She comes out to hike the canyon as much as possible - her favorite spots are, well, everywhere she has been so far.

Helen Ranney first saw Grand Canyon as a child from the back of a station wagon on a cross-country road trip with her family. During her professional career she worked for Arizona Highways magazine, which gave her the unique opportunity to learn more about Grand Canyon from numerous photographers and writers. After several years of driving from Phoenix to the canyon for day hikes to Phantom Ranch, she took the big leap by accepting a job with Grand Canyon Conservancy as Director of Marketing and Outreach and later as the Associate Director of Philanthropy. Living and working in Grand Canyon National Park allowed her an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the canyon’s human and natural history. Nowadays you will find her hiking hut to hut in the Alps, backpacking in the Sierra or exploring in her beloved Grand Canyon. Helen lives in Flagstaff with her husband Wayne Ranney, geologist and author. 

John Begay is a dedicated Diné instructor with three years of experience at the Field Institute. Holding education in Geology and Climate Science from Northern Arizona University, John has also been guiding at the Grand Canyon for six years. He is one of the few Indigenous locals who not only shares the rich history of the Grand Canyon but also provides an authentic perspective on Indigenous heritage. Through his thoughtfully curated hikes, John invites clients to experience the canyon through a unique lens, emphasizing both geological wonders and Native American history.

Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff was born in Arizona. Growing up in primeval desert, she became comfortable with things that crawl, sting, bite, and gnaw, which served her well when she started working with adolescents. While attending Northern Arizona University, she spent much of her free time exploring Grand Canyon. After graduation she led backpacking trips, taught cross-country skiing, drove a tour bus, and otherwise participated in outdoor education and recreation. Slim considers herself a lifelong learner, and employs her time researching Canyon history, anthropology, geology, and natural history. Her writing has appeared in the Grand Canyon anthology On Foot, and in High Country News Writers on the Range.

Sherri has been an outdoor educator since 1996, bringing nearly three decades of expertise in fostering meaningful connections with the natural world. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s degree in Outdoor Education from Prescott College, where her studies focused on interpreting Indigenous cultures and promoting stewardship through education.

A published author, Sherri has contributed multiple articles to Legacy, the magazine of the National Association for Interpretation. She is passionate about designing customized experiences that inspire participants to form deeper bonds with their surroundings, blending her academic knowledge and practical expertise to create impactful educational opportunities.

Kory grew up in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and went on his first of many backpacking trips in the Grand Canyon at 11 years old. He studied geology with many great professors at Northern Arizona University, The University of Texas at Austin, and The University of New Mexico. His geologizing has taken him all across the Western United States, thanks to generous support from the National Science Foundation and universities. He has yet to find a place on earth more awe-inspiring than the Grand Canyon and looks forward to blowing your mind with geologic knowledge on a GCCFI trip!