Our Board Members

We are women who ride mountain bikes in the Ozark region of Arkansas, a rapidly growing region with IMBA-designated Silver Level and Bronze Level Ride Centers. Although we’ve only been in operation since February 2019, we have to date had over 1000 participants in our programming. 

Allyson de la Houssaye

Chairwoman

An avid athlete, mother and wife. Allyson is a Sports and Documentary Producer from Chicago. Having always ridden a bike at one point or another in her life she recently discovered mountain biking thanks to the beautiful OZ Trails system in NWA. She now considers herself a recovered road cyclist with a passion for bringing women together through mountain biking.

  • BICP Level 1 Certified Mountain Bike Instructor
  • CPR and First Aid

”It’s a privilege to be leading Women of OZ with such a talented group of women. Too often we miss an opportunity for women to prop each other up and Women of OZ is an organization built on that. It’s all about the journey not the destination.”

Kourtney Barrett

Co-Chair + Director of Branding

Founder of JUNK Brands, Co-founder Women of OZ NWA, and 2020 Chairwoman Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce.

  • BICP Level 1 Certified Mountain Bike Instructor
  • CPR and First Aid 

“Above all, be there heroine of your life, not the victim.” – Nora Ephron

Betsy Soos

Director of Marketing

Acquiring her business acumen with Sam’s Club right after college, Betsy soon moved on to develop a national CPG account across the country.  Her entrepreneurial spirit lead her into real-estate and eventually to open FreeRide Studio.  Having sold the studio, she now enjoys riding bikes more than ever and encouraging women to also find the joy that comes from being on a bike.

  • BICP Level 1 Certified Mountain Bike Instructor
  • CPR and First Aid

Upcoming challenges:

The Ouachita Challenge (60mi), Ironman Tulsa, Leadville 3-Day Stage race, and the Leadville 100.

“My dad taught me how to MTB about 10 years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since.  Although my true love is MTB, I enjoy endurance challenges and have completed several triathlons including a full Ironman.  Last year, I completed the Oz Trails Off-Road 50mi race, the Iron Mountain 50mi race and just did the Wildcat Marathon 40mi race.”

Elizabeth Daughrity

Director of Finance

Biking with her children since 2008, Elizabeth Daughrity began road biking in 2011, and then eventually  joined her husband and two boys on the mountain bike trails in 2013, and they have mountain biked and raced together since 2014.

  • BICP Level 1 Certified Mountain Bike Instructor
  • CPR and First Aid
  • Coach for the Providence Academy NICA team

Elizabeth ranked 3rd in the State of AR AMBCS mountain bike series several year ago, and she and her husband have volunteered with FAST Kids for the past 5 years.  Elizabeth is currently employed as a Manager for Genpact Project Systems Accounting area.

Brittany Ducharme

Director of Philanthropy

Brittany is a community and outdoor advocate that has spent the majority of her life pursuing diverse outdoor adventures. Since relocating in Arkansas, she has hit the trails “rolling”, involving herself with non-profit organizations such as FAST TAP (Trail Adoption Program) and FAST KIDS (kids mountain biking program). Brittany, along with her husband and children, can routinely be found on the Back 40 when they aren’t traveling across the country looking for more single track.  

  • BICP Level 1 Certified Mountain Bike Instructor
  • CPR and First Aid

Ashley Patterson

Director of Education

Ashley has been racing or playing around on one kind of bike or another for 15+ years.  One of her favorite places she’s ridden (besides our backyard) is Bellingham, WA.  They have this stuff called “dirt”, it’s awesome.  If she’s not riding you’ll probably find her at Oven & Tap.

  • ER Nurse
  • BICP Level 1 Certified Mountain Bike Instructor
  • CPR and First Aid
  • Bike fitter
  • All-around lover of riding

Ashley O’rielly

Advisor

Missouri native, Arkansas grounded. Ashley has a passion for hard work, fun, and friendships. She believes in creating a mindset to always learn from others and teach in return. 

Mother, Wife, Cyclists, Runner, Teacher, Chef, Environmental Naturalist.

  • BICP Level 1 Certified Mountain Bike Instructor
  • CPR and First Aid

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly live” – Dalai Lama

Lauren Pickman

Secretary + Director of Programming

With New Jersey and California roots, Lauren was a division I collegiate soccer player and has a background in advertising sales and interior design.  She came to Arkansas with her family in 2016 to open a made in the USA bike brand:  Allied Cycle Works.  She loves road, gravel and mountain biking in NWA!

  • BICP Level 1 Certified Mountain Bike Instructor
  • CPR and First Aid

“In this age of high tech devices and social media I love the fact that the bicycle, what gave us simple joy in our childhood, remains a joy as an adult.  The bicycle gives us the opportunity to meet and connect with others face to face and create memorable experiences. Whether it’s through collective suffering or laughs and smiles there’s something for everyone no matter the road traveled. Make the connection. Let’s Ride Together!”