Catherine “Cat” Harnden – Executive Director
Catherine “Cat” Harnden serves as Executive Director of MSSRT, bringing a strong commitment to building accessible, development-focused pathways for athletes and families throughout the Inland Northwest.
Cat is a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Level 200 Coach and holds multiple officiating certifications, including Technical Delegate (TD), Chief of Course, Chief of Race, Referee Level 2, and Jury Advisor. She is an active Alpine Competition Committee (ACC) member, and also holds a degree in business, bringing both operational and organizational leadership experience to MSSRT.
Under her leadership, MSSRT has continued expanding athlete programming, race hosting, coach development, volunteer engagement, and long-term organizational growth while strengthening the club’s connection to the broader Pacific Northwest ski racing community. Cat is passionate about creating positive, athlete-centered experiences that support both competitive excellence and lifelong participation in Snowsports.
Austin Baird – Youth Programs Director
Austin Baird joins MSSRT as Director of Youth Programs for the 2026–2027 season, bringing extensive experience in youth athlete development, race program leadership, and large-scale Snowsports operations.
Over the past seven years at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, Austin progressed from instructor and supervisory roles into leadership positions including Snowsports Co-Director and Race Team Program Director. In these roles, he oversaw U10–U18 race programming for more than 200 athletes while helping manage Snowsports operations serving up to 5,000 seasonal participants and supervising a staff of 150.
In addition to his Snowsports background, Austin also works with Experience Camps, coordinating logistics and volunteer operations across multiple states, further strengthening his operational leadership and organizational experience.
Austin holds multiple U.S. Ski & Snowboard certifications, including Alpine Coaching Level 200, Referee Level 1, and Race Administrator Level 1, along with PSIA Alpine Level 1 and Children’s Specialist Level 1 certifications.
Elyse Burandt – Train to Compete Lead U12 Coach
Elyse Burandt is entering her third season with MSSRT, where she leads the club’s travel YSL racing programs and helps support athlete development through foundational racing experiences and competitive opportunities.
Elyse is a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Level 200 Coach and Referee Level 1 official with a strong passion for youth athlete development and mountain culture. Outside of coaching, she is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, volunteer firefighter, and avid hiker, bringing a unique perspective on movement, resilience, and long-term athlete well-being.
Her background in physical therapy helps support a thoughtful, athlete-centered coaching philosophy focused on building confidence, strong movement patterns, independence, and a lifelong love for skiing and the outdoors.
Kayla Dorame – Train to Train Lead U10 Coach
After retiring from ski racing, Kayla Dorame began coaching in 2020 and has quickly developed a reputation for thoughtful, athlete-centered coaching. She is a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Level 100 Coach and Referee Level 1 official with professional degrees in Applied Behavioral Analysis and the Psychology of Human Development.
Kayla’s coaching philosophy centers on creating environments and opportunities that foster development both on and off the ski slopes while meeting each athlete’s unique needs.
Outside of coaching, Kayla works as a Lead Registered Behavioral Technician, providing behavioral intervention services for children with developmental disabilities, while also continuing her education as she studies toward her second doctorate.
Keagan Ives – Learn to Train Lead U8/10 Coach
Keagan Ives brings seven years of youth ski coaching experience and a strong passion for athlete development to MSSRT’s Learn to Train program. His coaching background includes working with athletes from introductory skiing ages through competitive U14 development, with an emphasis on building confidence, technical skills, resilience, and a lifelong love for the sport.
Keagan holds U.S. Ski & Snowboard certifications including Level 100 Alpine Coach, Competition Official, and Jury Advisor credentials. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Eastern Washington University and brings an energetic, athlete-centered approach focused on creating safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate experiences for young skiers.
Maya Peck - Train to Compete U14/16/19 Coach
Rob Heide – FUNdamentals Lead U8 Coach
Rob Heide joined MSSRT in 2025, bringing extensive experience from a longtime career as a ski instructor in Alaska and a deep passion for youth snowsports development.
Rob holds PSIA-AASI Level II certification along with a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Level 100 Alpine Coach certification. His coaching approach emphasizes foundational skill development, confidence building, safety, and creating a fun, supportive environment for young athletes entering the sport.
As MSSRT’s FUNdamentals U8 Coach, Rob is passionate about helping the club’s youngest athletes develop strong skiing fundamentals and a lifelong love for the mountains.
Jesse Durrance - Train to Compete U10/12 Coach
Jesse Durrance joined MSSRT as a coach in 2023, bringing a strong background in ski racing, athlete development, and ski industry experience to the program.
Jesse grew up skiing and racing with the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club and later attended Green Mountain Valley School in Vermont, where he continued his ski racing development. Professionally, Jesse spent eight years working with Folsom Custom Skis as a custom ski developer, combining his technical knowledge of equipment with his lifelong passion for the sport.
Jesse moved to Spokane with his family in 2022 and has quickly become a valued member of the MSSRT coaching staff. When not coaching, he enjoys exploring the outdoors and spending time in the backcountry.
Kyle Larson - Train to Compete U14/16/19 Coach
Additional Coaches:
Mark Burandt
Amira Islam-Zwart
Aubrey Anderson
Andy Walker
Mike Dix
Max Burns