Founding Board Of Directors
Cowgirl Capable is guided by a founding Board of Directors committed to ethical leadership, survivor advocacy, and long-term mission impact.
Our board members bring diverse experience in leadership, safety, advocacy, and community service. Full director bios will be shared as part of our formal nonprofit launch.
President, Retreat Host – Heather Christine Gastelum
Bio:
Known as the “Telecom Cowgirl,” Heather Gastelum has spent 30 years as a leader breaking barriers in typically male-dominated roles in the telecommunications and construction industries, specializing in tower portfolio management, operations, and vendor safety programs.
Beyond her corporate career, Heather has spent decades mentoring and empowering women and youth.
Her latest passion project, Cowgirl Capable, was born from her commitment to helping women find their voice and grow their confidence—whether in the boardroom, the saddle, or in self-defense. The women’s-only retreats she created blend firearms training, horseback riding, and personal empowerment, giving participants the skills and mindset to protect themselves and embrace their strength.
Secretary & Acting Treasurer – Kim Lemke
(Kim is temporarily the treasurer until a suitable accounting candidate can be secured)
Bio:
Kim Lemke is a lifelong horsewoman, safety-minded competitor, and trusted collaborator whose roots in agriculture, horsemanship, and public service make her a strong steward of the Cowgirl Capable mission.
Raised on a working farm, Kim grew up caring for a wide range of animals and developed a deep sense of responsibility, grit, and confidence from an early age. She began showing horses through 4-H and FFA at age seven and went on to compete across multiple disciplines. In 1998, she was introduced to Mounted Shooting, a sport that quickly became a passion. In 2006, Kim and her family built a 300’ x 200’ outdoor arena at her parents’ CAP Farm to support the introduction and growth of Mounted Shooting in Western Washington. She later earned Ladies 1 and Ladies 2 championships, including the prestigious WWMS Sharpshooter title in 2011, reflecting both her horsemanship and commitment to firearm safety.
Professionally, Kim brings a grounded and dependable background…
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While still in high school, she worked in bookkeeping and the logging industry, providing secretarial support and parts-running services while earning her diploma. At age 18, she became a homeowner and worked as a Senior Loan Processor, later serving as a County Road Maintenance Worker I & II—roles that required accountability, logistics coordination, and strict adherence to safety protocols.
Kim has spent years working alongside Cowgirl Capable founder Heather Gastelum, co-hosting clinics and training experiences focused on confidence-building, horsemanship, and safe firearm handling. Together, they helped introduce riders and horses across the Pacific NW to the sport of mounted shooting through calm, structured, safety-first instruction. Kim also served as the club secretary for Western Washington Mounted Shooters during Heather’s term as the club President. Kim is also an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer, further reinforcing her commitment to responsible firearm use.
She was invited to serve on the Cowgirl Capable board because of her integrity, collaborative nature, and proven ability to support complex programs with care and precision. Kim currently serves as Secretary and Acting Treasurer while the foundation establishes a long-term accounting partnership. She believes deeply in the Cowgirl Capable mission—helping women build confidence, grit, and self-trust through safe firearms training, horsemanship, and shared experiences in nature.
To Kim, being a cowgirl is not about what’s in the barn, but a state of mind rooted in responsibility, resilience, and respect.
Director, Ranch Host – Tara Varrelman
Bio:
Tara Varrelman grew up on the Whistlin’ Pine Ranch, which her grandparents, Adolph and Jean Varrelman, purchased in 1938. Besides one other single man, they were the first to move to Alta Lake, before the State Park (early 70’s), the Golf Course, and the mix of residential and summer vacation homes that now pepper the North end of the Lake. Her father, Brian Varrelman, was the only one of 6 kids who wanted to take over the campground and dude rides (1982) and grew the business exponentially by adding his commercial outfitting business, Sawtooth Outfitters.
Tara worked for her father from the age of 10 (or earlier) through her college years, guiding trail rides that attracted riders/tourists visiting the greater Chelan area, Winthrop, Alta Lake State Park, and guests staying at the Whistlin’ Pine Ranch. She has made lifelong connections and friends over the years, serving her father’s dream and the legacy left by her grandparents and now her father…
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Tara graduated from Pateros High School, a tiny little town down the road where the Methow River meets the Columbia, with 21 students in her graduating class. However, she has gained more knowledge and wisdom by being by her father’s side and as his “right-hand man” her entire life. He taught her how to manage the business, the people (campers and hunters alike), horses and mules, and the hard work and grit it takes to survive it all!
She was introduced to horses and firearms before she could walk. Her first hunting trip was as a 3-year-old, along for the ride and company for her pop. She spent her summer and fall months from childhood through college years guiding trail rides on the ranch property and guiding hunters back into wilderness areas with her father, former Whistlin’ Pine Ranch and Sawtooth Outfitters owner-operator.
Tara to share a wide range of skills
Tara took up Mounted Shooting in her late twenties and traveled all over the United States, competing for the coveted World Championship Title. She achieved her World Championship in Amarillo, TX, in 2014.
She is back home at the Whistlin’ Pine Ranch as a 3rd-generation owner-operator, continuing her father and grandparents’ Western Legacy and love for the land, providing family opportunities you simply cannot experience in the City. Offering Camping, Horseback Riding, paddleboarding, and backcountry drop camp trips allows Tara to share a wide range of skills. She hopes to be able to bring Mounted Shooting Lessons and Jackpots to the Ranch in the near future, so be sure to keep watch on what’s happening at the Whistlin’ Pine Ranch Resort!
Director – Vanda Chess
Bio:
Vanda Chess is a lifelong horsewoman, accomplished barrel racer, respected business owner, and trusted leader whose roots in the Western performance horse world run deep. Raised in the saddle from a very young age, Vanda has spent decades competing across the Western United States, hauling thousands of miles and earning recognition in organizations including the PRCA, NPRA, Pro West, NBHA, America West, WBRA, and the Pacific Barrel Horse Association.
Vanda has also competed successfully in barrel racing futurities and derbies with home-grown horses, demonstrating not only talent in the arena but exceptional judgment outside of it. Known for her keen eye in selecting quality broodmares and her reputation as a “good stallion picker,” she has built strong bloodlines by thoughtfully pairing horses for their best potential. Over the years, she has owned and campaigned an impressive string of horses — far too many to name — and has crossed the Pacific Northwest and Western United States more times than one can count in pursuit of competition, excellence, and fun…
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She is a proud Gold Card holder with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, reflecting a long-standing commitment to the sport and its traditions. Vanda continues to compete today and has attended a number of clinics over the years, including mounted shooting. She is a novice-level defensive shooter with a strong dedication to learning, personal growth, and responsible training.
Vanda is the co-owner of Rocky Top Arena, where she plays a key role in coordinating competitive barrel races, supporting riders of all levels, and managing the on-site Burger Barn. The arena stands as a reflection of her and her sister’s passion for horses, competition, and family legacy — a gathering place for the Western community she has helped build for decades.
Known for her fun-loving redhead personality, sharp wit, and natural stage presence, Vanda has also been selected on multiple occasions to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Washington Barrel Racing Association Year-End Banquet — bringing equal parts sass, humor, and heart to the role. And while most know her as a fierce competitor and horsewoman, a select few are aware of a hidden talent — one she may jokingly claim is a little rusty these days, but in her prime was absolutely unbeatable. It’s the kind of skill that must be seen to be believed.
Beyond the arena, Vanda is the owner and operator of Chess Insurance. With more than 30 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent, she is widely respected for her expertise, integrity, and unwavering dedication to her clients.
Vanda’s role with Cowgirl Capable is also deeply personal. She and Heather Gastelum began hauling to barrel races together more than 30 years ago, forming a friendship built on long miles, shared competition, and countless road-trip adventures — many of them long before social media existed to document those memories. When Heather and her husband Chris welcomed their daughter Devin nearly 28 years ago, Vanda naturally stepped into the role of “Aunt Vanda,” a title she has proudly held ever since.
As mothers of only children, their families blended seamlessly — with their kids growing up more like siblings than friends. The bond between Vanda and Heather is one forged through decades of trust, shared values, grit, laughter, and life in and out of the arena. To say their connection is special is an understatement.
Above all, Vanda is a proud grandmother to five beautiful grandchildren, who remain the heart of her world and the legacy she is most proud to build.
Her lifelong dedication to horsemanship, competition, mentorship, business leadership, and family makes Vanda Chess an invaluable voice on the Cowgirl Capable Board of Directors.
Director – Devin (Gastelum) Griffel
Bio:
Devin Gastelum Griffel brings a lifelong connection to agriculture and the western way of life, paired with competitive experience and professional leadership, to the Cowgirl Capable Board of Directors.
Raised in ranching and agriculture, Devin was immersed in horsemanship and livestock work from an early age. She competed throughout the Northwest in barrel racing, junior rodeo, high school rodeo, and shooting sports—developing discipline, confidence, and a strong foundation in responsibility and safety. Introduced to firearms at a young age, she later competed at both state and national levels in mounted shooting and high school shooting disciplines.
From 2009–2016, Devin was an active and successful competitor in junior rodeo and served in peer-elected leadership roles, including Junior Girls Representative and NJRA Rodeo Queen. Her competitive career was defined by adaptability, consistency, and horsemanship—qualities that continue to inform her leadership approach today…
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In addition to rodeo, Devin was a multi-sport athlete, competing in softball at the Little League, select, and varsity levels. In 2014, she was selected as one of four athletes from Washington State to represent Team USA in Italy as a student-ambassador athlete, promoting the sport of softball internationally.
Devin attended Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, on a rodeo scholarship after graduating from Cedarcrest High School, where she was a National Honor Society member. Her professional background spans safety-driven and technical roles, including earning certifications as a Laser Technician and Laser Safety Officer, and later serving as an Optician Technician and Optician Team Lead, where she was responsible for departmental growth and team development.
Today, Devin serves as a Strategic Account Manager with Tarter, supporting agricultural customers through relationship-driven sales and long-term partnerships. She remains active in roping and shooting when time allows and brings to Cowgirl Capable a grounded, authentic understanding of firearms safety, horsemanship, and leadership under pressure.
Devin and her husband, Jake, live the western lifestyle they represent. Jake operates the family’s feedlot business, and together they raise Black Angus beef while balancing the demands of agriculture alongside their professional careers. Their partnership reflects shared values of hard work, accountability, and resilience—principles Devin carries into her role with Cowgirl Capable.
It ain’t the clothes that make the cowgirl, it’s the attitude and the heart.
