Outdoor Leaders Initiative

Developing Next Generation Leadership

Program Includes

• Outdoor leadership mentoring program that pairs emerging leaders with seasoned professionals from the outdoor industry and nonprofit community
• A seminar series featuring outdoor leaders sharing their insights and perspectives on the past, present and future of the conservation movement and outdoor advocacy
• Opportunities for individualized coaching, board training, and organizational capacity development

OLI Advisors

• CO-CHAIR: Steve Barker, Co-Founder, Eagle Creek & Escondido Creek Conservancy
• Everett Au, Program Specialist, The San Diego Foundation
• Nicola Hedge, Former Director of Environmental Initiatives, The San Diego Foundation
• Ben McCue, Executive Director, Outdoor Outreach
• Zach Plopper, Director of Conservation, WILDCOAST
• Marisa Aurora Quiroz, Vice President of Programs, International Community Foundation
• Jeff Sermak, Former National Sales Manager, Eagle Creek
• Myrian Solis Coronel, Director of Community Engagement, Parks California
• Stasia Walker, Director of Future Leadership Academy, Outdoor Industry Association

Outdoor Leaders Initiative (OLI) FAQs

• What is the OLI Program?
  The Nonprofit Institute (NPI) at University of San Diego is launching a new outdoor leadership program to bring together a network of business and nonprofit leaders to cultivate a larger community of concerned stakeholders that are working together to protect the health and vitality of our region’s open space and natural lands. It is a new and innovative program that is unique to our region.
• What types of activities will be included?
  • Facilitated mentoring of emerging leaders by seasoned industry and nonprofit executives
  • Peer-to-peer learning and networking between business and nonprofit leaders around critical issues related to protection and access to the outdoors
  • Advocacy training
  • Leadership coaching
  • Organized outdoor activities
• What types of topics will be covered in the learning sessions?

  We will have different modules covering:

  1. 1. 1. 1. Nature as the Gateway to Health and our Humanity
           2. Parks, Oceans and Public Lands
           3. Climate Impacts and Resiliency
           4. Youth Engagement and Participation
           5. Organizational Leadership and Governance
• How long is the program and how often will we meet?
  OLI is a 6-month program that includes monthly sessions that will run from the Spring into the Fall. The Welcome Event will take place in May 2019.
• What organizations are partnering with OLI?
  Eagle Creek, International Community Foundation, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Outreach, REI, The San Diego Foundation and  WILDCOAST.
• How do I apply?

  The application period has closed for the 2019 OLI cohort. Please check back in for more information on our 2020 OLI cohort application period and key dates.

  The application fee is $20 for potential mentees. 

• How much will it cost?
  Like many other outdoor leadership programs and courses (ex. Skip Yowell Leadership Academy), it will cost $2,000. There are scholarships up to $1,500 available for nonprofit participants. Some employers may have a tuition reimbursement program to cover the costs.
• What is the time commitment?
  The monthly activities will vary from month to month but generally, anticipate 5-6 monthly learning sessions starting in April through Fall 2019 that are about 3 hours each. These will be in-person with one or two online. 

   

  There will also be more informal meetings with a mentor and group activities (i.e. a hike). We are also planning for a camping retreat during the summer. Once the new cohort is in place a set schedule will be released. 
• Contact Information

  Please contact Christiana DeBenedict at cdebenedict@sandiego.edu for more information.