A passionate mountaineer, Tonya has climbed all over the world and has enjoyed leadership positions on expeditions to the Peruvian Andes, the Dolomites of Northern Italy, the Central Alps of Europe, the mountains of East Africa and three expeditions to the Himalayas of Nepal and Tibet. In the spring of 2006, Tonya successfully reached the top of Mt. Everest - joining an elite group of 100 +/- women to ever do so.

In addition to her mountaineering pursuits and achievements, Tonya has had great success in corporate America, working in high level sales and management roles for major corporations such as Quaker Oats and Pillsbury. Tonya has been able to combine her extensive experience in business, with her love of the mountains, as she now serves as the Director of Business Development and Marketing for Trango/Stonewear Designs - a premier manufacturer of technical climbing gear and apparel.

Tonya feels a strong need to bring philanthropic impact into her expeditions. She personally understands how powerful mountains can be, and how they can act as a spark for both personal and cultural change and awareness. Tonya felt the ideas behind climbing Annapurna, in particular, fit well with the goal of providing funds for cancer research and monies and education to Himalayan women and families. She was compelled to organize an expedition to Annapurna after reading several books by Arlene Blum - the leader of the 1978 Annapurna Expedition. As both a female mountaineer, and a businesswoman who regularly faces the infamous glass ceiling of corporate America, Tonya felt a connection with the Blum expedition, and a recognition and appreciation of how much the efforts of Arlene Blum and her teammates advanced the equality and respect of women - not just in climbing, but in all aspects of life. Tonya firmly believes that this expedition will not only pay tribute to the pioneering efforts of earlier female climbers, but prove how far women and men have come in regards to the ideas and issues involving sexism, discrimination and inequality. Even more so, Tonya feels this expedition will inspire and empower women - and men - to overcome obstacles, strive for their goals and realize achievement.