Meet the Team

Meet the team guiding Summer 2026. With a shared commitment to care, safety, and tradition, they are here to create an environment where every camper can feel confident, supported, and at home.

Meet John & Elisabeth Hay

Owners & Directors

John and Elisabeth Hay became the owners of Heart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls in November 2026, inspired by a desire to give back to the Hill Country community they love and to continue the camp’s long tradition of positively shaping young women.

Elisabeth graduated from Texas A&M University with a BBA in Finance and spent a decade in investment management before building a successful career in real estate, where she has closed more than $100 million in property sales in a single year. She also holds a culinary arts degree, lived in the Virgin Islands in her twenties, and enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and lifelong learning.

John earned both his undergraduate degree and law degree from the University of Texas at Austin and has been an entrepreneur throughout his career. He served for ten years as Chairman of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Lone Stars and Angels Gala, helping raise funds for pediatric cancer research. John is an avid UT sports fan and season ticket holder. John first fell in love with Hunt as a six-year-old camper at Camp Stewart, where he later became a Chief and counselor.

Today, John and Elisabeth are raising the next generation of campers with their nine-year-old twins, Cohen and Brooklyn, who attend Camp Stewart and Heart. Their household also includes Teezo, a French Bulldog, and Latte, the family cat, both of whom have become unofficial members of the camp community.

For the Hay family, Heart is more than a camp—it is a place where girls build confidence, friendships, and lifelong memories. John and Elisabeth feel deeply honored to help guide the next chapter of this remarkable tradition.

We’re excited to welcome back many familiar faces and introduce new ones, all coming together to make Summer 2026 special.

Our Full Time Staff

Monique Cikota

Administrative Director

With 17 years of Heart experience, Administrative Director Monique Cikota brings warmth, leadership, and a deep love for campers that have made her a cornerstone of the Heart family.

She oversees the administrative side of Heart O’ the Hills, including camper registrations, staff coordination, and camp logistics. With strong attention to detail and a commitment to excellence, Monique helps ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes so the team can focus on creating a meaningful camp experience.

Program Director

Bailey McEachern

Bailey’s experience as Program Director, along with her deep love for the girls of Heart, make her an invaluable part of our team. A former Heart camper and counselor, Bailey also led Social & Emotional Learning classes at Austin High School before returning to HOH.

She oversees the development and implementation of camp programs, from adventure activities to creative arts. With a background in program design and a passion for meaningful experiences, Bailey ensures each program is engaging, enriching, and fun for every camper.

Summer Leadership Staff

  • Cristi Lee Ahern

    Assistant Director

    Cristi Ahern has a diverse background in education. Her role involves supporting the Camp Director in overseeing daily operations and ensuring the smooth execution of camp activities. Cristi’s enthusiasm for camp life and her organizational skills help make every camp session a success.

  • Rebecca Villareal

    Assistant Program Director

    Rebecca has spent many years growing up at camp, first as a camper for nine summers, then as a Heart Lite, and later as a counselor. This summer, she returns to The Heart as our Assistant Program Director, bringing with her a deep understanding of camp and a passion for supporting girls as they grow into themselves.

    Rebecca shared, “I can’t express how honored and happy I am to return to The Heart for another summer, but this time as part of the head staff. Our role is to curate an environment where campers can be who they are without judgment. Camp is a place to learn, grow, and prosper as an individual, and I can’t wait to watch and support this new generation of campers flourish.”

  • Jo Guerrero

    Head of Cabin Life

    A familiar face is back, and we could not be happier.

    Jo is returning to Head Staff for her fourth summer at Heart. Graduating this year from Schreiner University, we are so excited to have her back on the team.

  • Molly Ryan

    Head O’ Cabin Life

    Molly grew up at The Heart, spending nine summers as a camper before serving as a Heart LITE and later joining the staff as a counselor. This summer, she returns as our Head O’ Waterfront, bringing with her a deep love for camp and the experiences that helped shape who she is today.

    Molly shared, “I am ecstatic to return to The Heart and have the opportunity to help lead a place that has shaped so much of who I am today. Over the years, camp has inspired me to bring confidence and enthusiasm to everything life brings my way. I’m looking forward to sharing that same magic with the next generation of campers and helping them discover what The Heart is truly about.”

  • Sumner Pannell

    Head Lite

    Sumner has grown up at The Heart, first as a camper for four summers, then as a Heart LITE, and most recently as a counselor. This summer, she returns for her fourth year on staff, bringing with her a deep love for camp and a passion for helping the next generation of Heart LITEs grow into confident leaders.

    Sumner shared, “I am so excited for the opportunity to spend another summer at The Heart. I can’t wait to work with our amazing Heart LITEs and help them grow even more confident in their leadership abilities. Camp helped shape me into the person I am today, and I’m honored to help create that same environment for our campers and staff in Summer 2026.”

Summer Nursing Staff

Georgia Fulenwider

BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM
Head Nurse - Full Summer

Joellan Mullen

BSN
Split Term 1B Nurse
RN, MSN  USAF (RET) NC
Second Term Nurse

Martha Williams

BSN
Split Term 1A Nurse

Grace Slate

Our Counselor Staff

Julia Bendheim

Catherine Brantley

Lawsen Seeber

Silvana Ruiz Lopez Sanchez

Tommie Guerrero

AnnaCate Powell

Amelia "Mia" Mangelsdorf

Helene Garren

Luciana "Lu" Carlin-Pavon

Elizabeth "Liz” Murray

Meredith Hesson

Shari Durand

Valeria Montemayor

Maggie" Jane Gilluly

Georgia Carson

Kitchen Staff

See All Bios

Orsson Santino Veloz Maldonado

Head Chef