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

• Steve Barker, Co-Founder, Eagle Creek & Escondido Creek Conservancy
• Everett Au, Environment & Thomas Murphy Fellow, The San Diego Foundation
• Nicola Hedge, 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, National Sales Manager, Eagle Creek
• Myrian Solis Coronel, Next Gen Marketing Manager, REI
• 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 early April 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?

  Click here to apply to the Outdoor Leaders Initiative cohort by February 28, 2019. Participants selected for the first cohort will be announced in late March.

  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.