Meet Our Staff
Ashley Ojala Executive Director
Ashley joined CNMA in July 2025 and brings a passion for connecting people with place. With a background in outdoor recreation, tourism and nonprofit marketing, Ashley is honored to lead CNMA’s fantastic team and serve the vibrant human and nonhuman (flora + fauna + rock) communities that thrive in and around Colorado National Monument. She relishes opportunities for relationship-building and community collaboration and loves contributing her energy and skills to a mission that feels more important than ever: supporting, protecting, and celebrating Colorado National Monument.
Originally from Durango, Colorado, Ashley is lucky to have lived in Montana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. She holds dual undergraduate degrees in Life Sciences Communication and Gender Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. After working for a decade in the ski and outdoor industries in Summit County, Colorado, she moved to Grand Junction in 2022. She’s been falling more in love with the high desert’s unique beauty ever since.
When she’s not at work, you’ll find Ashley mountain biking, river running, hiking, moon-gazing or telling her dog, Pia, how cute she is. Her favorite hike in Colorado National Monument is Echo Canyon, especially at dusk, when the chance of spotting an owl adds a touch of magic to the trail.
Shalana Battles Development Coordinator
Shalana joined CNMA in May 2024 and has a passion for sharing stories with people and building relationships. This position allows her to make connections with people and support a mission she truly believes in. She brings with her an educational background in Journalism (BS) and Cultural Anthropology (MA). Shalana loves being able to utilize this background to support the preservation of this extraordinary landscape.
Prior to joining CNMA she worked as the Development Coordinator for an animal shelter and is a huge animal lover and has opened her home to many rescued animals – dogs, cats, a Sulcata tortoise, a rabbit, a red-eared slider turtle, a bearded dragon, fish, chickens, goats, and a mini horse.
Shalana values spending lots of time outdoors with her family, riding their side by side, going on trail rides, camping, and fishing. She also spends a lot of time writing books, editing books for indie authors, and enjoys photography as a practice and for the appreciation of the medium.
Crystal Tyndall Associate Director
Crystal joined CNMA in January 2023 and with the Colorado National Monument just outside her front door, she’s thrilled to contribute her skills and experience to the position. Her previous roles within the outdoor industry were focused on customer service, marketing, and outreach; helping to grow relationships, increase capacities, and streamline processes.
She considers herself a public lands enthusiast and has previously worked as a Youth Conservation Crew Leader, Volunteer Trail Crew Leader, Visitor Service Assistant at White Sands NP, and Recreation Aid at the Sandia Ranger District. She moved to Grand Junction in 2019 and is happy to be part of the Grand Valley community. In her spare time, she likes to hike, crochet, and make ceramics.
Her favorite hike in the monument is Echo Canyon.
Nancy McGuire Sales Associate
Nancy joined CNMA in June 2022 and likes helping park visitors have the best experience possible at Colorado National Monument. She enjoys learning new facts about the monument, working alongside CNMA, NPS, and volunteers, as well as knowing her work is directly helping Colorado National Monument.
After a long career in the special effects pigments industry, Nancy has since retired to Colorado. During her spare time, she is a seasoned amateur astronomer and the current President of the Western Colorado Astronomy Club, leading her to participate in the COLM night sky viewing events and educational outreach events at the Grand Mesa Observatory. Most recently she has become more involved in Dark Sky advocacy and hopes someday everyone in the Grand Valley will be able to view the Milky Way at night. She also loves to write, from articles for the CNMA newsletter and local publications to writing and giving educational astronomy presentations.
Nancy loves the sounds of the ravens, the quiet, and of course the beautiful and majestic bighorn sheep found at Colorado National Monument! Her favorite hike is the Grand View short trail to the Incredible overlook.
Sharon Dixon Office Manager and Buyer
Sharon joined CNMA in March 2022 and finds in her current position she is able to draw upon all her previous work experience. In addition, she enjoys working alongside a great team that is friendly and helpful. Her ability to help in the Visitor Center has been a great asset in gaining knowledge about the monument.
Her love of the outdoors includes skiing, horseback riding, camping, and finding old mines and waterfalls. Even her daily drive up and down the monument is an opportunity to be enjoyed, you never know what you will see or what the weather will be like.
She doesn’t have a favorite hike or viewpoint in the monument just yet, she’s wanting to experience them all before deciding.
Carol Dominguez Sales Associate
Carol joined CNMA in 2014 after retiring and moving to the Grand Valley. She enjoys working at Colorado National Monument because it allows her to help the park and its visitors. The best part is the wonderful place where she gets to work.
Growing up in southern New Mexico, Carol went on to work as a schoolteacher. Later, in 1996 she worked at Black Canyon National Park for 18 years, 10 of which as the WNPA store manager. Currently, she considers herself retired and works at CNMA for fun.
She appreciates the beauty of Colorado National Monument every day with its power to awe, calm, and inspire.
Heather Kelley Sales Associate
Heather joined CNMA in July 2025 and appreciates being part of a team that helps support Colorado National Monument programs and projects. She enjoys meeting people from around the world and hearing about their experiences in the monument. Her favorite part of the job is seeing kids sworn in as Colorado National Monument Junior Rangers.
Having lived most of her life in Alaska, Heather is happy to now live in the warm, high-desert environment of Grand Valley. She loves spending time with her family, especially outdoors.
Her favorite hike in the monument is the five-mile Wedding Canyon to Lower Monument Canyon loop; along which she occasionally spots Dessert Bighorn Sheep.
Justin Beemer Sales Associate
Justin joined CNMA in June 2024 and enjoys having the opportunity to support protected and public lands and is continually learning more about Colorado National Monument. The best part of his position is getting to meet people from all over the world.
Currently a Junior at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Justin is studying Business Management with a concentration and specialty in Marketing and Outdoor Recreation.
Justin is passionate about spending time outdoors and his pursuits include snowboarding, rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, and mountain biking. Being outside offers a sense of freedom and beauty that truly makes him happy.
Jessica Rich Sales Associate and Programs Coordinator
Jessica joined the team in September 2024. She enjoys working for CNMA because of her love for the beautiful landscapes of Colorado National Monument and her passion for helping others. The best part of her position is meeting visitors from all over the country and the world.
When Jessica isn’t greeting visitors in the bookstore, you can find her outside—whether it’s hiking in the desert with her two dogs or floating down the river with family and friends.
Her favorite view at the monument is during sunset, looking across the Grand Valley with the alpenglow illuminating the Book Cliffs, Mount Garfield, and the Grand Mesa.
Call or Visit
1750 RIM ROCK DR.
FRUITA, CO 81521
970-858-3617 x307