Skiba grew up on the industrial shores of Lake Michigan, in the shadow of Chicago, in a city called Whiting, Indiana. She did not grow up outdoorsy, except in the sense that she liked to be outside, since most of her wilderness consisted of concrete. She was heavily involved in the performing arts growing up and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy, where she studied musical theatre. She went on to study musical theatre in New York City and vocal performance at Indiana University.
It was during college that she, in a somewhat random fashion, got a job with the Boy Scouts of America in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota as a multi-day canoe and camping guide. Coming from an urban upbringing, this was her first time camping for more than one night. She fell in love with the silence, darkness, and realness of the wilderness, and has worked in the outdoor industry ever since. She moved to Alaska from New York City at age 22, traveling by train and ferry, and it was her first time being further west than Minnesota. She has since traveled to and spent time in all fifty states and loves traveling internationally. She has called Juneau, Alaska home for 15 years.
She has worked an assortment of outdoor jobs. Some of her favorites include serving as an Expedition Leader on expedition ships in Southeast Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, where she earned her Captain’s Licence, and working as a Wilderness Ranger for the U.S. Federal Government, living and working at brown bear viewing areas in Southeast Alaska.
She is a firefighter and Wilderness EMT and is passionate about emergency medicine. When not working, she can be found deeply involved in Juneau’s performing arts community, tending her garden, or spending time with her Siberian Husky, Maple. Her favourite part about being immersed in wilderness is the natural instincts it brings out in all of us, and she is thrilled to be here sharing that experience with you.
