Our Managers

Sarah Bucknam

I grew up on a youth climbing team, but I also enjoy beach volleyball, golf, swimming, and I rowed varsity crew while at WPI for my biomedical engineering degree. I am now working full time in the climbing industry as a USA Climbing L3 National Routesetter, private coach and AMGA SPI certified outdoor climbing guide. With all my free time, I also enjoy live music, cooking, and baking bread!

General Manager, Routesetter + Coach

Valentina Mars

I started climbing in college and I’m currently working towards getting my AMGA SPI Certification. Outside of climbing, I’m passionate about environmental sustainability and enjoy upcycling and using second hand materials for jewelry and sewing projects.

Assistant Manager

Sydney McNair

Head Routesetter, Head Coach

I started climbing at the age of 5 and have competed up to an international level. I am currently one of two women in the US who have achieved their USA Climbing Level 5 National Chief Routesetter certification. My passion project is learning how to make consistently good sourdough croissants.

I am our Youth Programs Coordinator, and I coach our Club Team. I’ve been working at the gym since June 2025, and climbing for about 10 years. I’m a big fan of sport climbing, especially when it's outside. My favorite place I’ve ever climbed is Poudre Canyon in CO! At the gym, I find working with kids the most rewarding. Outside of work and school, I snowboard competitively and downhill mountain bike!

Youth Programs Coordinator, Coach

Ava O’Brien

I have been working at NHCF since October of 2024 and climbing here for several years prior.  My favorite part of being here is instructing and seeing new climbers fall in love with this sport.  Outside of climbing, I am a professional artist with my bachelor’s degree in Game Art and Development, and own a kennel of 12 incredible sled dogs.  You will rarely find me without a mug of hot chocolate within arms reach.

Operations Supervisor, Climbing Instructor

Lara Renner

Meet the Team

  • Jonah

    FRONT DESK LEAD, INSTRUCTOR, ROUTESETTER SUPPORT

    I have been climbing for 5 years and been working within climbing gyms for 4 years. I have worked at NHCF since December 2025. I've always been drawn to climbing and love bouldering and board climbing the most. Outside of climbing I love snowboarding, weightlifting and golfing. 

    My favorite part of working here so far is meeting the regulars and learning all about the NHCF community.

  • Quinn

    ROUTESETTER, COACH

    I started climbing in 2021 and immediately got hooked. I loved it so much that I went to the gym five days a week in my first year. I lost all semblance of a social life and many a dollar to the gas tank, but I didn’t care. I started setting at Vertical Dreams in 2023 where I set many sandbagged routes, and have been at NH Climbing and fitness since July, where I set less sandbagged routes. While I enjoy the side of climbing that requires thinking and technique, the side that requires you to try really physically hard makes me the happiest. Brain off, just campus. As long as you’re pulling really hard with your arms, I’m happy. I spend a lot of time board climbing, and even got so into it that I bought a Moonboard, where I can now destroy my skin on a daily basis as opposed to a weekly basis.

    Outside of climbing I work at a haunted house during the Halloween season, where I get paid to threaten to kill people. In addition to loving all things horror, I listen to a lot of old school metal, and watch a lot of climbing videos on my phone.

  • Anna

    FRONT DESK, YOUTH PROGRAMS, INSTRUCTION

    Hey my name is Anna! I’ve been working here at NHCF since 2022. I teach in the youth programs and also the intro to climbing and top rope belaying classes. I used to do club here with my brother and we started working here together. I love hiking and right now I'm working on doing the 48 4,000 footers in NH. I also love skiing and racing in high school. Now I'm in college getting a degree in communications arts in hopes to be a videographer one day. I love the process of filming and editing. I've also lived in Ecuador for some time doing missionary work there. While in Ecuador I learned how to do some routesetting and climbed and hiked a lot as well.

  • Matthew

    FRONT DESK

    I have climbed casually on and off since 2016 so I was stoked when the opportunity to work at NHCF popped up in December 2025! My favorite thing about working here is getting to know the community and becoming friends with the staff and our lovely members. When I’m not at the gym you can find me hiking through the mountains, xc skiing, riding my bike, planning my next big adventure, and contemplating the finer aspects of the hiker trash lifestyle (like resupplying from gas stations, sink laundry, and drinking from questionable water sources). I like listening to and making weird music, and am on an unending quest to make a synthesizer sound like songbirds. Ask me what tunes I’ve been spinning lately, I’ll make you a playlist!

  • Cole

    FRONT DESK, YOUTH PROGRAMS, INSTRUCTION

    I have worked here since April of 2024, but grew up participating in the youth programs.  I was a competition climber on our NHCF Team and my hardest climbs are V7 and 5.12c.  Outside of climbing, I enjoy Kendama, cooking, love cats, and own my own thrifting company called Granite State Vintage.  My favorite part about working here is teaching the youth programs, and never vacuuming. 

  • Nico

    FRONT DESK, YOUTH PROGRAMS

    I started climbing right after the pandemic and began working here in fall of 2025. I work the front desk and help with youth programs. I love climbing because of the local community and consistent challenge. Other than climbing I ski, bike, make music, thrift, and travel as much as I can. My favorite part about working here is catching up with the regulars and seeing the community grow.

  • Olin

    COACH

    I started out climbing here on our Club Team in 2019 and joined our Comp Team the following season. This is my fourth season as the assistant coach for our Comp Team!

    When I’m not coaching or climbing I like to make jewelry and spend time with my dogs, Olly and Milo!

  • Libby

    FRONT DESK

    Hi! My name's Libby and I've been working here since October 2025, although I've been climbing for close to 7 years (*cough cough* on and off). My favorite part of the job is probably getting to know and connect with everyone that comes into the gym. Outside of work I’m most likely in the mountains, skiing or skinning in the winter or by the beach surfing, or traveling any other time of the year.

  • Brendan

    FRONT DESK, INSTRUCTOR, YOUTH PROGRAMS

    I have been climbing since I was 6 years old. For the past 11 summers I have been working at Camp Carpenter Cub Scout camp with the last 6 years being as the Climbing Director helping kids learn to rappel! I have been working at NHCF for 5 months now and my favorite part is working with the youth programs and helping to introduce kids to a sport that I love! When I am not climbing I can be found spending time with friends or my cat Cleopatra and being outside as much as I can! My go to fun fact: Steven Tyler has heard me play saxophone!

  • Cali

    YOUTH PROGRAMS

    I have been climbing for 5 years and have been working at NHCF since December of 2025. Before I started working here I participated in our school league competitions, serving as team captain for Concord High school during my senior year. Outside of climbing I enjoy hiking, painting, surfing, and live music. I mostly teach youth programs and my favorite part of that is watching my students grow confidence within themselves as climbers!

  • Sabrina

    FRONT DESK, YOUTH PROGRAMS

    I have been working at NH Climbing for almost seven years (started when it was still Evo!) on and off. My favorite part about working at the gym is seeing people surprise themselves, whether they’re new climbers with no expectations, or those with more experience who achieve a new personal best. Outside of work I am also employed as a legal assistant, and like to read, do trivia, and learn new things. If you ever notice that we are playing mid-2000s pop punk in the gym, that’s probably me on the aux.

  • Collin

    FRONT DESK, YOUTH PROGRAMS

    I have worked at NHCF since 2022. My favorite part of working here is sharing my passion for climbing though youth programs and summer camps! I started rock climbing through the School League Program and later joined Comp Team. Outside of climbing, I enjoy skiing, hiking, and cooking.