CharlesTheFirst's Mother & Brothers
Beth Ingalls, Co-Founder
Executive Director
When Beth's twins Cedar and Kaya were born in 1987 she was living in Taos, NM and had been working in environmental politics there and in Northern California since graduating from UC Boulder in 1985. She likes to describe her career path more as a meandering stream because raising her sons was first, and work had to fit around them. She's been an environmental activist, recycling coordinator, professional ski instructor, investigative journalist, festival organizer, band publicist, freelance writer/editor and has also spent many years in the non profit sector.
Several years after Charlie was born in 1996, she became volunteer Chair of the Town of Truckee's Waste Management Committee and along with the committee launched the 'Keep Truckee Green' campaign. After three years working tirelessly to establish new waste management strategies, expand recycling programs, and advocate (unsuccessfully) for the Town to create a full time Recycling Coordinator position, she resigned. Fueled by the desire to work from the inside as an elected official, and taking a strong stance against rampant overdevelopment within the Town, she ran for a Town Council seat in 2002. She was the top vote getter in a crowded field of nine, that included 3 incumbents. She served a four year term and was the Mayor of Truckee in 2006.
Regardless of the work she's engaged in, Mother is/has always been her primary role. Charlie called her Momma Bear and their bond was legendary. The only sense that can be made and way forward that can be forged after the loss of her youngest son, is to focus on creating something incredibly positive and tangible for the community he was immersed in both professionally and personally for the last seven years of his life.
Kaya Lampe, Co-Founder
Director of Programs
Kaya's passion for the outdoors has inspired every aspect of his life, work and pursuit of happiness. His lifelong love of skiing eventually intersected with a passion for photography, videography and filmmaking.
He played a primary role in nurturing and documenting Charlie's years in the competitive ski world and they were an inseparable team skiing, traveling and filming. Kaya earned a Media Studies degree from UC Santa Cruz and soon after embarked on a whirlwind of adventures and exploration including journeys to Antarctica, Mt. Everest (twice) and Alaska.
His resume includes multiple stints working on the Discovery Channel's hit show Deadliest Catch, followed by several seasons with National Geographic's Life Below Zero. In addition to bringing these professional skills to the Foundation, he's deeply committed to building something incredible in his little brother's memory
Cedar Lampe, Co-Founder
Those who know Cedar personally know he avoids the spotlight and downplays everything about himself, yet always manages to stand out. As Charlie's brother, he was a guiding force and a strong influence from day one. Their mutual love and affection for each other was very powerful.
Cedar graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Political Science/ International Relations and while there also served as Vice President of Membership for a recreation-oriented 501(c)3 non-profit with an annual budget of nearly $1 million. He went on to earn a Masters Degree in Nonproliferation & Terrorism Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. He brings a plethora of skills to the Foundation along with a passion to honor his brother in the most heartfelt way imaginable.
Cedar, Beth & Kaya