Meet Kelsie Turner: CMC’s Membership Services Manager

At Colorado Mountain Club, fostering community is just as important as hitting the trails. Membership Services Manager Kelsie Turner is one of the people who makes sure that CMC continues to be an organization that supports its members every step of their journey, whether they’re trying to learn new things, improve their skills, or simply have an appreciation for the outdoors in Colorado.

Before moving to the state, Kelsie was focused on community building as the director of membership and engagement at her local chamber of commerce in southeast Missouri. "I fell in love with the community where I went to college," shares Kelsie. “Working for the chamber was a great opportunity to make an impact in the place I lived and cared for. My role allowed me to get hands-on with the community and help build and offer opportunities like the Young Professionals Group that helped retain local young talent and supported our next generation of leaders."

While she loved her job, a different type of scenery caught her attention. "The Colorado mountains were calling my name,” says Kelsie. “I had traveled to Colorado many times and loved the amazing views and endless hiking trails. My partner and I decided to make the move, and Colorado has been our home for two years."

With her passion for the outdoors and a strong background in engagement, joining CMC was a natural fit. "I took the membership services manager role because I wanted to help build a stronger community around the outdoors," says Kelsie. "It felt like a perfect fit to use my background and skills to connect people and support a group that’s all about getting people outside and protecting Colorado’s mountains."

As the membership services manager, Kelsie oversees all aspects of member operations, which includes developing and implementing strategies for attracting, retaining, and engaging members; managing the member database and handling day-to-day inquiries; and collaborating with staff and volunteers on events and programming.

But her favorite part of the job is working with people. "I’m lucky to be surrounded by incredibly talented and dedicated members," says Kelsie. "They volunteer to lead trips, teach courses, and promote our organization, sharing their passion for the outdoors and the CMC community. Their energy is contagious! They are the true heart of the club, inspiring me and teaching me something new every day!"

Kelsie has already been part of a significant milestone for the club. "I joined the team just as we were preparing to open our doors to members at our new location," says Kelsie. "Our members have been reserving rooms for classes, and we've started our monthly CMC Info Nights back up. Our community is doing great things and getting folks connected, and I cannot wait to see what else is in store."

Looking forward, Kelsie is focused on listening to the membership to determine next steps. "We are launching a membership survey to better understand member needs, what members value most about being part of CMC, and how we can better support our member’s outdoor goals and sense of connection within the club,” explains Kelsie. “Over the next year, we’ll turn your feedback into action—working to enhance your experience, strengthen engagement, and prioritize the areas that are most important to you."

If you have questions about your membership, want to get more involved, or just want to share a cool story from your latest adventure, Kelsie is eager to connect. "Feel free to send me an email or schedule a time to chat!"