Nettie Pardue

Executive Director

Nettie Pardue's roots go deep at Outward Bound beginning as an instructor 21 years ago. She currently serves as the Executive Director at Outward Bound California and has over 20 years of global experience working for Outward Bound in 13 countries.  In addition to Outward Bound, she has worked in the peacebuilding and conflict resolution field with Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding the United World College and SEEDS Community Resolution Center where she acted as facilitator and trainer for communication, conflict resolution, mediation and cultural competency courses. Nettie has a Master's in Applied Behavioral Science and has presented at conferences in the US and abroad.  

In her early 20's she worked for one of the Kurt Hahn United World Colleges in NM. Working with students from over 80 countries cultivated a sense of the power of outdoor experiential learning and how it can be transformative to underserved and underrepresented populations. Today, she brings experiential outdoor learning to diverse communities. As Executive Director she hopes to inspire and provide access to more staff and students to get outside! 

She is climber / mountaineer (favorite route - Sun Ribbon Arete in the Palisades), kayaker (whitewater and sea) skier and long distance runner, completing more than six 100 mile races in the US and Canada. Nettie thrives in pushing herself to overcome my personal limitations and I am always looking for the next NEED (new experience every day).

Perry Gold

Director of Finance & Operations

BJ Allen

Director of Student Services, Director of Equity

BJ came to OBCA with a background in clinical social work and a specialty in animal assisted interventions.  She oversees the team who supports students and families in preparing for their Outward Bound experiences and also leads our organizational commitment to equity and inclusion.

BJ loves to run and hike and spends most of her free time playing outside with her partner, kids and the family dog. Their favorite adventures include playing in streams, building forts and roaming the forests of the East Bay hills.

Maggie Lyons Weller

Program Director

Maggie Lyons Weller is the Program Director for the Bay Area program with Outward Bound California. Maggie began working for Outward Bound as a Field Instructor in Baltimore and Philadelphia in 2006. Maggie became an administrator in 2008 as a founding member of the Bay Area Center staff. She has since served the organization in a variety of roles including student services, community outreach, staffing management and program design. She finds that her role as the PD gives her the chance to use the experience from each of those roles every day.

As a two time OB alumni, Maggie came with a firsthand understanding of the confidence, skill and perspective OB can teach young people. Maggie has lived primarily in some of the largest cities in the US and has an equal love of wilderness and city. This continues to drive her passion for creating access to outdoor programs for students from urban areas and connecting their lived experience with OB's mission. She enjoys 1. Big trees 2. Trail running 3. Movies and movie quotes 4. Numbered lists 5. Sharing/telling/exaggerating stories. 6. Listening to records and dancing in her living room.

Emma Rapp

Director of Advancement

Emma never saw herself in a direct service role - all her career and strengths finders growing up told her to be a teacher but she forged a different path instead dedicating her career to supporting the work of educators as they change the lives of students.  A serial career monogamist, she came to OBCA 5 years ago after 7 years in administration, fundraising and volunteer organizing at Playworks, based in San Francisco.

Programs like Outward Bound formed her as a leader, channeling her energy and persuasive powers for good.  She can remember vividly on a 10-day canoeing expedition in Maine at the age of 13, learning, through trial and error, her ability to tank or motivate the group depending on the leadership tack she took.  These days her preferred methods of challenge and discovery include snowboarding, all female backpacking trips, triathlons, and shaving her commute down to as close to an hour as possible.

Jason Schmidt

High Sierra Program Director

Jason 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 the 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.

Russell Cowan

Southern California Program Director

As Southern California Program Director, Russ is responsible for oversight of programs in Joshua Tree, as well as growth and development of programming in other wilderness areas such as the San Bernardino National Forest, and urban-based parks around Los Angeles.

Russ spent eight years working at a public charter high school in Los Angeles before relocating to the Bay Area to work for Outward Bound as a Program Manager.  When the team there couldn't take any more of his puns, they sent him back to Southern California. 

In his free time, he enjoys traveling, eating tater tots, and hanging out with his dog and best pal, Atticus.

Zack Hain

Manager, Outward Bound Professional

Zack has worn a lot of hats in the outdoor world over his 25-year career: wilderness instructor, environmental educator, challenge course builder, primitive skills instructor, corporate facilitator, and the list goes on. He brought his talents to Outward Bound California to manage sales, program development, and facilitation for its experiential-based training and development department, Outward Bound Professional.

As a kid growing up in the same neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA as the writer Annie Dillard, Zack spent his youth exploring the Appalachians - its mountains and watersheds. Upon coming to California, he was inspired by the majesty of the Sierras, the solitude of its deserts, and the grandeur of its coastline.

Adriana Guerrero

Annual Fund Manager

As the Annual Fund Manager, Adriana oversees the annual campaign along with donor communications, OBCA Leadership Council development, and leads institutional giving management, including grants compliance and reporting. Adriana comes to OBCA with more than 11 years of experience in education and youth development. She holds a B.A in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco.

Although a Long Island native, she has led a nomadic lifestyle living abroad in Europe and Central America pursuing her passions of traveling and teaching. In 2015, after a series of serendipitous events, she landed in the Bay Area. In addition to her work at OBCA, she is an active team member of the Women’s March Oakland and coordinates their fundraising efforts. Outside of work, she is famous for her charcuterie platters and enjoys game nights, engaging in thought-provoking and/or silly conversations, and spending time outdoors at the beach or hiking with her partner and their tripod pup, Nova.

Sara Grimmer

Finance and Operations Coordinator

Sara 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. 

Danelia Lopez Casco

Bay Area Program & Internship Coordinator

Growing up in 'La Mission' of San Francisco, she has a strong sense of duty to her community. She manages the Internship program, Youth Leadership Corps (YLC) program, course directs, instructs and supports program development through many channels. Social justice is a strong undercurrent of her work.

Her passion for this work is fueled by the belief that every person no matter where they come from, has the right to access nature especially youth. Nature is medicine and has the power to heal and restore. She is one of many in the movement for more equality, inclusivity and diversity of people in outdoor spaces.

Jessica Haist

Staffing and Hiring Manager

Jessica 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.

Lauren Hebert

High Sierra Program Manager & Head Climber

In Lauren's role as High Sierra Program Manager & Head Climber, she supports courses, students, and staff in a "behind the scenes" capacity, to help everything run smoothly. Additionally she holds oversight for the rock climbing programming and curriculum. Lauren began working with Outward Bound in Colorado in 2014, and has since worked in the field in Colorado, Utah, Alaska, Ecuador, and California.

Lauren has always enjoyed spending time outside. She was first hooked by backpacking on a trip up Huron Peak, a "fourteener," while attending Colorado College. Ever since then, she has pursued sharing genuine, authentic experiences with others others in natural spaces. Lauren enjoys reading, rock climbing, making art, biking, and exploring new landscapes.

Dana Ries

Program Manager

As a Program Manager for the High Sierra Basecamp at Outward Bound California, Dana coordinates programs and supports students and staff in the field. She spent her first five years working at the Northwest Outward Bound school as field staff before moving to an administrative role at OBCA.

Dana grew up in the suburbs in the Bay Area where she didn't spend much time in the outdoors. Her first introduction to backpacking was when she participated in a Wilderness Orientation trip her freshmen year of college at University of California, Santa Cruz. The trip opened her eyes to the magic of outdoor recreation and she has pursued that path ever since. She worked as a Recreation Leader throughout college, as a raft guide on the Payette River, and as a field instructor in Oregon and Washington.

When she is not working, she enjoys rock climbing and long hikes in the mountains!

Jinny Jung

Fund Development Coordinator

A San Jose native and a graduate of University of Southern California, Jinny joined Outward Bound California in 2018. She comes with 4+ years of fundraising and grant-writing experience. At Outward Bound California, her domain is Salesforce donor data. She can also be found supporting the fundraising team, participating in the Equity Working Group, gearing up for City Skyline Challenge, and rallying her colleagues for happy hour.

Growing up in San Jose, she went camping, hiking, and snowboarding with her family. Today, she continues to jump at any opportunity to be outdoors. She also picked up urban cycling in Los Angeles, which truly awoke her love for pushing her physical limits. You can find her speeding around the streets of San Francisco looking for the best french fries in town. She very much believes in the Outward Bound values of self-reliance and compassion.

Erin Thacher

Head Logistics Coordinator

Erin is just one member of a team of master gear wranglers. From forecasting program gear needs to hosting sewing professional development sessions, she keeps the High Sierra gear game on point. When she is not in the warehouse, she is nose deep in spreadsheets to ensure each student will be well taken care of.

She is a transplant to the mountains from the flatlands of Kansas. Before her time at Outward Bound California, she didn't know what a trekking pole was, let alone how to pack a pack. Although it took her a few years to develop what she calls "mountain legs," she now loves to travel the world in search of mountains and street food.

Lindsay Blake

Student Services Manager

Lindsay started in the student services office in January 2017 - first as the Bay Area’s first Group Program Advisor, then a Student Services Associate, and currently is the Student Services Manager. She's thrilled to be working alongside such an amazing group of folks at OBCA!

Lindsay’s love of the outdoors truly began in 2001, 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 her college orientation. She was pushed way out of her comfort zone and loved the whole experience! Lindsay went on many outdoor adventures around the Pacific Northwest while at college in Portland, Oregon. Since returning home to California, she enjoys exploring the wilderness around the Bay Area with her friends and family and is doing her best to instill a love of the outdoors in her child.

Brent Klava

High Sierra Associate Program Director

Brent is a homegrown Outward Bound California employee. His journey with OB began in the Bay Area as an In-School/ Insight Day Instructor. From the beginning he connected with the mission and was blown away by the impact the curriculum had on the students. Years of Instructing in the Bay brought him to our High Sierra, and Joshua Tree course areas, as well as the Northwest Outward Bound School base in Mazama, WA. He worked as an Instructor, Course Director, and Trainer throughout the organization before transitioning into the High Sierra Program Manager role. In this role he manages various courses in the field and helps serve as a resource and mentor for field staff. 

When Brent is not sitting in the office in Midpines he enjoys going on long distance personal backpacking trips, watching college hockey (and most sports), going on runs, drinking coffee, seeking out Outward Bound staff expeditions, traveling, and finding swimming holes to jump into! 

Eli Fox

Outreach Coordinator

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

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

Susie Barr-Wilson

Student Services Associate

One of Susie's greatest passions is empowerment through outdoor adventures. She has been working/volunteering with youth-serving programs since she was in the 7th grade - more than 20 years! Susie's professional experience includes directing summer camp programs in Washington state, managing and instructing outdoor adventure courses for GirlVentures in San Francisco, and coordinating diversity and inclusion projects for the American Alpine Institute.

She has also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural South Africa, and she has two degrees in Outdoor Recreation: a B.A. from Western Washington University (2002) and an M.S. from San Francisco State University (2012). Susie's graduate research on the influence of outdoor adventure on body image in adolescent girls is published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership (2016). Her favorite pastimes including hiking and climbing with her partner, playing with their two children, doing Zumba and yoga, and hosting parties for their cohousing community. 

Valerie DiPonio

HR & Operations Manager

Valerie's signature subject line in emails to staff is "Boring But Important," and that speaks to how she injects her sense of humor and respect for big and small details into her role at OBCA.  Valerie onboards and clears staff to work in the field and in the office, makes sure everyone gets paid, and generally keeps the systems of the organization humming behind the scenes.  

Valerie hails from the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan.  She studied Political Science at Kalamazoo College, where she led incoming students on 18-day trips backpacking and canoeing through Killarney Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada.  That left her with a determination to work in the outdoor ed industry, and she eventually made her way to the Bay Area and to Outward Bound California.  These days, she lives and works for OBCA from the Lake Tahoe area, achieving a lifelong dream of being able to ski most days of the week in the winter.  One of her favorite OB moments was crossing the finish line of the 2017 San Francisco Marathon with three of her coworkers.  Valerie stubbornly insists on hand-grinding her coffee beans most mornings.  She is not sure yet what that says about her.

Holly Lehr

Bay Area Program Manager

Holly is a Program Manager at the Bay Area Center. She focuses on partnering in collaboration with local schools and non-profits to create meaningful experiences that resonate with their goals. She has enjoyed watching these partnerships grow, and is re-inspired seeing the transformative effect of these experiences.

Holly got started at Outward Bound in 2014 as a new Instructor in the Bay Area. Through various roles, she has maintained a strong emphasis on questioning our methods, being ready to adapt, and keeping student experience the focus of the work.

She was initially called to this work because it positively impacted herself as a youth. The outdoors, specifically a backpacking trip, illuminated her strengths and joy in a way that hadn't emerged in regular school or sports. She was hooked! She is motivated to help make experiences like these accessible to folks of all walks of life.

In her free time, she can be seen huffing up SF hills on her bike, Leon, skiing in Tahoe, devouring pupusas, and enjoying live music.

Chelsea Knoren

Student Services and Sales Associate

Chelsea is in Student Services and the Communication departments where she helps students change their lives by finding courses on the website to getting them prepped for course. 

Chelsea was more of a gym person until she got tricked into a 40 mile bike ride in Point Reyes composed of only hills. After she returned exhausted, she felt super accomplished with a rush of adrenaline and wanted to tap more into this feeling, so she started bike commuting, hiking longer distances and kayaking. This new world brought her peace and a new connection to nature. At a career crossroads, she took an assessment of the things that make her happiest and on the top of the list was being outside and helping others find that peace too. She found OB and applied for many jobs, until we finally hired her! We don't regret it. 

Sarah Ullrich

Logistics Manager

As Logistics Manager of the High Sierra program, Sarah ensures proper inventory and leveraging of the resources that help programs run - vehicles, food, equipment - as well as lead the rambunctious team of support staff who sweat their way to success every summer! She came into this career by accident while bouncing around as a seasonal worker in her early 20s when shediscovered a deep love for solving complex logistical puzzles.

Sarah believes that the world is one big wilderness worth exploring. Whether it's getting into type two fun of Sierra talus, losing shoes to the knee deep mud of New Zealand's Stewart Island or walking through the villages and concrete jungles of the ancient pilgrimage El Camino de Santiago, her approach to living fully is to regularly push herself into the unknown. Outdoor Bound allows staff to live in this way, always seeking new adventure whether through work or personal time. Sarah chose this life because it enriches who she is while enabling her to help enrich others through her work. "We have so much to give one another, and sharing ourselves through challenge and discovery is the best way to connect and grow as people. Outward Bound facilitates just that."

Simon Hill

Logistics Manager

Along with the rest of the logistics team, Simon does all things related to food, gear and transportation. On any given day his crew may be found sewing torn backpacks, outfitting students with boots or weighing and bagging hundreds of pounds of gorp.

Simon fell into the outdoor education industry because it gave him an opportunity to share the spaces and experiences that he loves. He's always felt a curiosity for new landscapes and a compulsion for exploration and adventure. In his first years as an outdoor educator he saw how outdoor experiences can change people. They can be powerful. So this is how he's chosen to spend his time, well most of it anyway. He still sets aside time to follow his curiosity like exploring San Francisco and the greater Bay Area with a bicycle and a camera.

Sean Altman

Program Manager

Sean is the Program Manager for the Bay Area Basecamp at OBCA and develops curriculum-rich outdoor programming for our program partners.
He grew up camping all over California 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. After graduating with a degree in Outdoor Education, he worked as a guide for a Wilderness Therapy Program in Oregon and managed 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. 

Matt Patchell

Development Officer

Matt is a member of the high-energy team that helps to fund the Outward Bound California mission by engaging members of our community in our work.

Matt loves trail running, road cycling, hiking, food, reading and exploring Bay Area neighborhoods and trails with his partner Ruth. Their college-age kids Zach and Nina are sources of pride and inspiration.