Team Wilderness Welcomes Alexandrie Adebayo and Tom Pietrykoski as Trustees

Published: Jan 12, 2025 - View the original story on tapinto.net

By Al Sullivan | TAP into Jersey City

JERSEY CITY, NJ - Two avid hikers and well recognized community leaders have joined the Board of Trustees of Team Wilderness, the Jersey City-based nonprofit dedicated to bridging the nature gap for youth from marginalized communities.

According to a statement, Alexandrie Adeyabo and Tom Pietrykoski will provide strategic support and oversight to the organization, which in 2024 served over 600 youth who spent 11,225 hours outdoors.

“We are thrilled to welcome two trustees who share a profound passion for the outdoors and our mission,” said Executive Director Steve Cunningham. “Their background, deadership, and dedication to our cause will be invaluable in guiding the organization for years to come.”

Alexandrie Adebayo is the founder of BlackHikersExplore, a community focused on encouraging black and brown people to engage in outdoor activities. Passionate about diversifying the outdoors, she curates and organizes group hiking events for adults as well as nature education programs for families. These programs help build a supportive environment and foster a blend of empowerment, adventure and reclaiming space.

Alexandrie is a first generation Haitian immigrant who grew up in New York. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Queens College and has over a decade of experience as an HR-Compensation professional.

Tom Pietrykoski is a lifelong New Jerseyan and avid hiker, backpacker and outdoor enthusiast who also volunteers with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as a co-trail maintainer of the Appalachian Trail. Tom began his career as a community organizer with AmeriCorps working to protect the Passaic River, and started a non-profit working to reconnect local communities to urban waterways in New Jersey.

Tom currently serves as the Director of Corporate Communications at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, one of the largest transportation agencies in the nation. Before joining PANYNJ, he worked for U.S. Senator Cory Booker for six years, most recently as Deputy Communications Director. He previously worked for U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. as Communications Director and led public affairs for the State of New Jersey’s Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, where he started as a scientist studying the New York-New Jersey Harbor’s water quality. 

Team Wilderness provides youth from urban areas with transformative outdoor experiences that cultivate a deep connection with nature while promoting personal and academic growth and overall well-being. Outdoor excursions are integrated into each of the organization’s programs.

Programs offer vital support services like counseling and academic coaching as well as programs that provide lessons in professional photography and affordable summer camps.