Founders
Who we are and why we started WWOW…
Elisha McArthur (River Mamma)
President
Elisha McArthur has been a raft guide since 1999, and a whitewater enthusiast her entire life. She is certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA) as a Level 5 Instructor Trainer Educator for Rafting in both paddle and oar, a Level 4 Instructor Trainer for Swiftwater Rescue, and a Level 5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. Elisha is also the current chair of the ACA’s Raft Discipline Committee. In 2017, Elisha started Canyon River Instruction (CRI) on the Arkansas River near Salida, CO. CRI specializes in teaching rafting, swiftwater rescue, and women’s specific courses. Elisha teaches professional development for raft guides, and specialty guide schools, offering ACA certifications and working with rafting companies all over the world. When Elisha isn’t on the river, she enjoys spending time with her teenage daughter, raising her small flock of Icelandic sheep, playing Scottish style fiddle, singing river songs and skiing.
Jeremy Anderson
Vice President
Jeremy Ann Anderson is a seasoned river guide with over 25 years of experience leading expeditions across the U.S. and internationally. An environmental advocate, she works with Friends of the River, guiding policy-maker trips and leading annual guide trainings and has received accolades for her exceptional volunteer work, including the California River Award for Volunteer of the Year in 2017. Jeremy also served as Youth Teams Director on the Board of the United States Rafting Association. Jeremy is passionate about river conservation and empowering women. She led the first women’s guide training on the River Ganga in 2024 and will lead it again in 2025.
Julie Sutton
Secretary
With 24 years of experience in the outdoor recreation industry, Julie Sutton is a river manager, educator, and guide known for her leadership and team-building expertise. Julie guided on rivers across the U.S. and internationally, including 10 years with the US Women’s Raft Racing Team, 3 as captain. She also coached U19 and U23 women’s teams.
Julie’s career was shaped by her participation in the inaugural all-women’s river guide training in India, which deepened her passion for creating supportive, success-driven environments. She spent 17 seasons guiding on the renowned Gauley River, honing technical skills and building lasting professional relationships.
Julie holds certifications in CPR, WFR, ACA Swiftwater L4, ACA L4 Raft Guide Instructor (Paddle & Oar), Red Cross Instructor, and degrees in Education and German (B.S.) and Studio Art (B.A.).
Outside of work, Julie enjoys cross-country skiing, hiking, and creative pursuits like pottery and watercolors.
Jessica Ransom
Treasurer
Jess is a private boater turned instructor at Canyon River Instruction the summer of 2022. Taking a couple courses at CRI herself, she immediately saw the importance in these classes, and made it her mission to strive to keep her private boater friends safe. Jess empowers all to find their true, authentic selves and strives to serve as a bridge between realms to close gaps worldwide between gender, status, and ethnicity. We are all in this together.
Bridget Crocker
Board Member at Large
A leading whitewater explorer, Bridget Crocker has guided expeditions down many of the world’s greatest river canyons in far-flung regions of Zambia, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, India, and the Western United States. She is the author of the memoir, THE RIVER’S DAUGHTER, and a trailblazer in women's empowerment within the outdoor industry. A former international river outfitter, Crocker has trained legions of guides the world over and helped to establish several sustainable commercial river operations during her three decade career as a whitewater professional. She is a contributing author to Lonely Planet guidebooks and Travel Anthology and The Best Women’s Travel Writing series from Travelers’ Tales, and been featured in magazines including Westways, Men’s Journal, National Geographic Adventure, Trail Runner, Paddler, Outside, Vela and Patagonia’s blog, The Cleanest Line, among others. Crocker is on the faculty at Jackson Hole Writers, and in her work as an author, speaker and leader of women's empowerment river workshops, Crocker helps others strengthen their connection with the natural world and cultivate courage to navigate harrowing obstacles both on and off the river.
Alison French Steen
Board Member at Large
Alison French Steen is the owner of Yellow Jacket River Guides, an Idaho rafting company that specializes in wilderness trips co-created by women, in service to women. YJRG’s philosophy is one of inclusion and encouragement, striving to create an environment where adventurers feel supported and respected physically and emotionally. Donning boots and a backpack at age 14, Alison ventured solo into the Salmon River wilderness, launching a life defined by western rivers, alternating largely between Idaho and the Grand Canyon, eventually leading scientific expeditions for the National Park Service. Alison graduated in 1998 from Fort Lewis College magna cum laude with a degree in Resource Policy and Management. Alison is a past president of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association and spearheads the annual Outfitter Rendezvous, funding educational opportunities for rural youth. As a mother, community member, and entrepreneur, Alison is personally in tune with the complex lives of today’s women and has dedicated her life’s work to broadening the circle of women who can access river based opportunities for growth, healing, and personal development.
Rebeca Fernandes Souza
Founding Member
I have been passionate about rafting since I was 19, starting as an athlete and continuing to work in the whitewater industry to this day. My lifelong dream has always been to share the knowledge I’ve gained and constantly improve my skills on the river.
I define myself as someone impulsive and highly competitive when it comes to pursuing my dreams and goals. Rafting is not just a sport to me—it’s my greatest passion and a way of life.
