Kyle Macdonald

Executive Director

Erika Enomoto

High Sierra Program Manager

Xander Tartter

Bay Area Program Manager

Xander, he/him, oversees day-to-day operations of OBCA's challenge course in McLaren Park. He divides his time between being out in the field providing support for our amazing team of Instructors and working in admin, helping our partners plan and prepare for their day on the course.

Xander joined OBCA in December 2022 fresh off the trail, following a thru-hike of the PCT that spring/summer season. He has spent the majority of his career working to provide meaningful outdoor experiences for youth - teaching science at outdoor schools and facilitating and managing programming at challenge courses and on wilderness expeditions, Xander strives to do anything within his power to eliminate barriers and increase access to the outdoors for all.

Patricia Lynn

Southern California Program Director

Patricia (she/they) was working in the outdoor recreation and education field for the past decade before coming to OBCA as the Southern California Program Director.

After working for her undergraduate college’s outdoor program, Patricia provided nonprofit programming for youth before realizing the missing ingredient in fulfillment: lack of the outdoors. She returned to graduate school where she received a master’s degree in Creative and Innovative Education, focusing on outdoor education. She believes in the outdoor setting’s ability to facilitate complex problem solving, adaptability, resiliency, and the freedom to make mistakes in a world of standardized testing. She also loves that the outdoors can allow folks to exist as their authentic selves and form deep, lasting bonds with others. Since then, Patricia has worked as an outdoor program administrator, backcountry instructor, frontcountry educator, climbing gym employee, wilderness medicine instructor, and teambuilding facilitator. She most recently comes from the higher education sector, serving as the director for college outdoor and campus recreation programs. She was drawn to OBCA’s intentionality, community, and demonstrated dedication to its students. 

When not working for OBCA, Patricia enjoys backpacking, aerial arts, being a Trail Angel for PCT hikers, and instructing wilderness medicine courses.

Rose Livermore

High Sierra Program Director

After spending the past few years managing an accessible sea kayaking program, Rose (she/her) is drawn to her work supporting OBCA's High Sierra programming because of its intentional focus on inclusion, self reflection, and social engagement.

Rose's passion for fostering community and leadership development through personal challenge and memorable outdoor experiences truly began in 2014 when she taught a middle-school environmental class. Since then, she has worked as an outdoor educator and paddling guide for various organizations across the country and internationally – from the Mississippi River, Lake Superior and various waterways of California, to the jungles of Belize and coastal fjords of New Zealand. Outside of work, Rose's interests include trail running, audiobooks, making coffee for alpine starts, and her fur-baby Duncan.

Eric Cabunoc

Donor Engagement Manager

Eric Cabunoc (he/him) is a creative and strategic thinker with nearly a decade of experience helping mission-driven organizations reach their goals through fundraising and development. His unconventional background, which began with a degree in ceramic arts and work experience in everything from film production to logistics, has one throughline: a passion for fostering connection.

Eric is impassioned by the thought of making sure that the California landscapes are accessible and equitable for all to experience and enjoy. In his free time, Eric keeps busy by teaching his old dog—named Chonies—new tricks, cycling or fishing with friends. His love language is cooking and feels inspired by the industrious beaver.

Han Bourne

Hiring Coordinator

Han (they/them) joined Outward Bound California in 2018 as an instructor in the Bay Area. Over the last five years at Outward Bound, they have instructed a variety of courses in the High Sierra and in Joshua Tree National Park. Year after year, the transformative power of intentional community in the outdoors brings them back for a new round of adventures.

Han grew up in San Diego, where they developed a love for open water swimming. Outside of work and the water, you can find them knitting, climbing, or walking their dog.

Clare Maloney

High Sierra Program Manager

Clare (she/her) grew up in upstate New York, and is most recently coming from Colorado where she was working in various roles in outdoor education. After an incredibly positive and transformative experience as a student with an outdoor education course in 2018, Clare knew she wanted to build a career based in facilitating similar experiences for students from all backgrounds to build confidence and connection. Clare is looking forward to learning and growing as a human, professional, and educator with Outward Bound's practices surrounding equity and belonging.

Outside of work Clare's main hobbies include running, rock climbing, and picnicking, but she also loves being a beginner and trying new outdoor activities. When not playing outside, she loves coffee, crafting, music, community, and pizza

Laura Romanosky

Director of Finance, HR, and Operations

Laura Romanosky (she/her) is the Director of Finance and Operations. As a recent transplant to the Bay Area, she enjoys spending time with her sister, exploring the city on foot, and going on mini-road trips with friends.

As a former educator, turned nonprofit administrator, she has seen firsthand the transformative power of outdoor leadership experiences on young people. During her time as a teacher and Special Education Chair, she built relationships with young people with significant needs and their families that solidified her commitment to improving outcomes for all students. While at BCBS, she joined our students on weeklong outdoor education experiences and witnessed how these excursions provided leadership and growth opportunities for all who attended. 

Sara Grimmer

Finance and Operations Manager

Sara (she/her) is the Finance and Operations Coordinator of OBCA. In 2017, Sara started as a Logistics Coordinator in the Bay. After learning the nuts and bolts of Bay Area programming, she has transitioned into the role of Finance and Operations Coordinator to better understand how the organization operates in the nonprofit world.

Sara's first introduction to Outward Bound was through her mother, whom completed a month long backpacking and rock climbing course through Colorado’s San Juan mountains in 1974. Growing up with a family that loved backpacking and camping, Sara fell into outdoor education where she led outing trips throughout high school and college. The positive impact the outdoors has had in her life, and seeing how the outdoors brings people together, has driven her to work towards making the outdoors more accessible for all. 

Jason Schmidt

Director of Programs and Safety

Jason (he/him) started working for Outward Bound in 2007 at the North Carolina Outward Bound School before heading west in 2009 to instruct in his favorite place on earth, the High Sierra. He then followed the seasons working in Appalachia, Everglades, rivers in North FL and AL, Joshua Tree, Bay Area and always returning to the mountains of California. 

Jason is a proud AmeriCorps alum who was drawn to Outward Bound during that time for OB's commitment to service. His favorite OBCA tasks revolve around service: he participated in the Service Bus, managed a beloved OBCA program, the Youth Leadership Corps, organized staff involvement at the yearly Yosemite Facelift.

Chelsea Knoren

Marketing Manager

I'm the marketing manager at OBCA. I started in Student Services, and then slowly inched my way into communications. I took a break when I had my son, but kept coming back. I don't even get a farewell email if I leave anymore, because my colleagues just say "she'll be back." And it's true because I LOVE this org so much.

The first time Chelsea (she/her) realized there was more in her than she knew, she was biking in Point Reyes to the lighthouse and completed 40 miles. It was a strenuous ride and highlighted how far she had come. It all felt so out of reach, but hill by hill, she did it. Since then, she has done tons of long bike rides and bike camping around the Bay Area. Her favorite Bike Hike Site is at Half Moon Bay, where for $7 and no reservation you can get a prime spot on the dunes.

Melissa Tang

Bay Area Program Director

Melissa (she/her) is passionate about bringing equity to opportunities that connect all young people to the power of the outdoors.  Her most memorable outdoor experiences growing up were going to the park next to the library, admiring the waves at Ocean Beach, and growing veggies with her grandparents. Being born and raised in SF, Melissa has deep connections to the Bay and a commitment to bring more opportunities to grow & learn outside.  

Melissa brings over 10 years of experience leading youth programs that engage diverse communities in the Bay Area.  Most recently she's lead a collaborative of 10 community partners that represented diverse neighborhoods in SF for the Mayor's Youth Employment and Education Program.  She's also engaged youth with the outdoors at Enterprise for Youth's Environmental Stewards Programs, CommunityGrows, and at the California Academy of Sciences. 

Melissa completed the Youth Outside Rising Leaders Fellowship to deepen her practice in cultural relevancy and social justice. She also holds a BA in Geography and Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara and a Master of Nonprofit Administration from the USF.  

During her time off Melissa loves to explore the farmers market to inspire her next dinner menu, connecting with friends and family over food, biking, hiking and gardening. She also loves to travel to off-the-beaten-path locations and always looking for an adventure.

Emily Ford

Development Operations Manager

A decade ago, Emily (she/her) was a participant on an Outward Bound climbing course that ignited her career in the outdoors. Since then, she has guided multi-day river trips through southwest canyons, instructed thousands of students in the rugged North Cascades mountains, and supported international community-based conservation programs.

She believes that people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities have a fundamental right to access outdoor spaces, where they can grow a deeper connection to nature, to themselves, and to their communities. Outside of the office, Emily enjoys birdwatching, climbing, biking, and volunteering at Point Blue Conservation Science.

Jessica Haist

Associate Program Director - Staffing and Programs

Jessica (she/her) hires all field staff positions for OBCA including instructors, interns and logistics coordinators and schedules all return field staff at all 3 OBCA locations. Jessica started as an instructor at our High Sierra Basecamp in 2006 and has worked her way through many positions over the years including course director and staff trainer.

Originally hailing from Ontario, Canada, Jessica was called to the mountains of Western Canada to pursue her passion for rock climbing and being outside. She then worked her way south, working with youth and adults in the Sierra and receiving her Master's Degree in Adventure Education from Prescott College. She has now settled down in her beloved Sierra Nevada's in Mammoth Lakes with her husband where she enjoys climbing, skiing, and biking in the mountains year-round.

Matt Patchell

Development Officer

I'm the Development Officer. I connect OB alumni, parents and community members to our mission to sustain our work. I met my predecessor at OB five years before I started work here: I followed her on LinkedIn until the opportunity arose, and now I feel privileged to be immersed in the amazing staff culture here.

Matt's (he/him) passion for the out of doors comes from an early childhood in the Sierra foothills, exploring and experiencing things his mother still doesn't know about. Most of his prior nonprofit and volunteer experiences centered around youth self-efficacy, so Outward Bound was a natural. His favorite hiking and cycling locations include the coasts, oak woodlands and redwood forests of the Bay Area. Matt likes to hike and backpack, but only with his ridiculously plush Therm-a-rest sleeping pad.

Lindsay Blake

Director of Student Services

Lindsay (she/her) started at OBCA as a part-time member of the student services team in January 2017. She is grateful to have found such supportive and amazing people to work with!

Lindsay’s love of the outdoors truly began when she challenged herself to try something new and signed up for a 10-day backpacking trip on Washington state's Mount Adams as part of freshman orientation to college. She was pushed way out of her comfort zone, made lifelong friends, and loved the whole experience! Helping participants and their families prepare for their own meaningful and transformative backcountry experience is something she now enjoys in her role at OBCA.

Elena Chin

High Sierra Associate Program Director of Course Delivery

Elena Chin (she/her) is the Associate Program Director of Course Delivery in the High Sierra. Elena identifies as a cis, straight, half first-generation, US woman of color. At 16 she took an Outward Bound course in Sabah, Borneo, that changed her life. Thanks to that course, Elena has been working in the outdoor education field for 10+ years, including as a field instructor for OBCA in the Bay Area, with NOLS, and at UC San Diego, often spending more nights outside than not every year.

Elena is also an AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide and uses her deep technical background and educational experience daily to support the High Sierra admin team.

Outside of work Elena loves rock climbing, cat GIFs, and spending quality time with people.

Eli Fox

Outreach and Alumni Manager

"It feels really wonderful to be working for an organization such as Outward Bound." - Eli Fox (he/him) When he was 14 years old, he had the opportunity to go on a 21-day multi-activity course in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.  On that trip, like so many people, he felt a new sense of pride and accomplishment which only arises when completing the rite of passage that is Outward Bound.  At that point, he learned from his instructors that working in the wilderness is a viable career path, so he set out on it, and 12 years later he now works for Outward Bound California! 

He could not be happier, as it is extremely fulfilling to be offering similar transformative experiences to what he went through and seeing the different lessons and experiences these young adults (and adults and veterans) are taking away today.  

Sean Altman

Bay Area Associate Program Director

Sean (he/him) is the Associate Program Director for the Bay Area program at OBCA and helps manage staff training and development along with program leadership. Sean is also involved with the development of curriculum-rich outdoor programming for our program partners.

He grew up exploring much of California's natural spaces with his family, climbing in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and running rivers in Idaho. It wasn't until college that he understood that he could make "the outdoors" a career and graduated with a degree in Outdoor Education. Sean has worked in many aspects of outdoor programming including wilderness therapy programs in Oregon and managing a summer wilderness program in Yosemite before coming to Outward Bound in 2016. "Being a part of the shaping of our future has always been a driving force for me to work with youth in the outdoors."

When he's not working with instructors and students, he loves to work with his hands whether it's cooking, woodworking, gardening or restoring classic cars.