Asha with her nephews after they paced her final 6 miles (totaling 22) at the 6-hour Haha Wakpadan race at Theodore Wirth Regional Park in Minneapolis in October 2025. Photo Credit: Jaya Shoffner.
As an outdoor educator and founding organizer of BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities, Asha facilitates safe and empowering outdoor programs by listening to community, leveraging resources, and centering the wisdom, experience, and joy of those who are most marginalized.
Asha loves to be on the water or in the woods and is a self proclaimed sunset chaser. She is a Thursday runner who deeply values weeknight adventures and nearby nature. In 2025, she paddled 100 times, 36 of which were on Minnehaha Creek between Edina and Minneapolis. In the winter she swaps out her paddling gear for daily practice on her yoga mat in 100+ degree rooms.
Asha is the cat mom of Slay (short for Mouse Slayer), and the proud auntie of three nephews, whom she affectionately refers to as her Lil’ Homies. She is ride or die Saint Paul (the current and ancestral homelands of the Dakota people), except for if there was a house for sale on 28th Avenue in between 46th and 45th street, across from Lake Hiawatha. If you own such a house, reach out to her ASAP.
Media and Publications
‘Nature is inviting to everybody’: Making the outdoors accessible for communities of color - Minn Post, Deanna Pistono, June 2024.
Facing Race Award Recipient - Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation - October, 2023.
New frontiers: Asha Shoffner on connecting diverse Minnesotans to the state's northern wilderness - Minnesota Public Radio (video) - Ben Hovland, September 2022
In Focus: How To Make Outdoor Recreation More Welcoming for all - Minnesota Public Radio (video)- Twila Dang and Kelly Gordon, September 2022
2021 Outsider of the Year - Outside Magazine, Stephanie Pearson, 2021
A Push to Make The Outdoors More Accessible - Sahan Journal, Andrew Hazzard, 2021
Minnesota Looks to Address Disparities in Outdoor Recreation - Minnesota Public Radio Podcast with Angela Davis, 2021
Feeling Minnesotan - Counter Stories Podcast with Hlee Lee and Anthony Galloway, 2021
Natural Connection: My story of finding peace and community in the outdoors - Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine, Asha Shoffner, 2021
Careers in the Outdoors (video) - Wilderness Inquiry, 2021
Metro Masterpiece: Dress For Cold Weather Success (video) - Metropolitan Council, 2021
Resume
Asha Consulting
Asha is open to discussing contracted work at this time. Learn more here: http://www.ashamarie.com/consulting
Photo CREDIT
All photos by Asha Shoffner unless otherwise noted.
Please reach out to asha before using any photos from this website.