Stephen Streufert

Executive Director

Sean Altman

Bay Area Program Director

Sean (he/him) supports the Bay Area program through several avenues: he manages staff training and development, provides program leadership and strategic planning, oversees the safety and inspection of all equipment and infrastructure on the Ropes Course, and directs the beloved Youth Leadership Corps program. Sean came to OBCA in 2016 and has consistently been developing curriculum-rich programs for our program partners all over California.

Sean grew up along the California coast and has worked in the Outdoor Education industry since 2003, cutting his teeth on Challenge Courses and working as a river guide. He has always been passionate about providing life-changing experiences in nature and navigating ways to create meaning for all types of learners. When he realized he could make this a career, he was hooked.

Kaïa Austin

Finance & Operations Coordinator

Kaïa (they & she) is OBCA’s Finance and Operations Coordinator, swimming in spreadsheets, mail processing, and expense receipts so that the programming magic can take place smoothly. They’ve spent over a decade helping make the outdoors more accessible and diverse by leading canoe overnights for LGBTQ & BIPOC folks, and believe everyone should have the opportunity to connect to nature.

Kaïa loves the outdoors, particularly anything involving water. They grew up in rural Missouri where the highlight of their summers were canoe trips down the Current River. After moving to Portland in middle school, they quickly fell in love with the mossy forests and hot springs of the Pacific Northwest. When not at work you can find them involved in community organizing and prison abolition, paddling down a river with their kiddo, curled up with a good novel, or making pottery.

Chris Bannister

Development Officer

Chris (he/him) is the Development Officer at Outward Bound California, bringing nearly a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development. Before joining OBCA, Chris served as the Membership Manager at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and Associate Director of Development at the San Francisco Parks Alliance. In his current role, Chris supports the OBCA Advancement Team with donor acquisition and retention, while also engaging alumni and community members in ways that help to support and sustain our mission.

Originally from a small suburb outside of Los Angeles, Chris has lived in the Bay Area for nearly 20 years and has dedicated his career to prioritizing community growth through environmental learning and sustainability. In his spare time, Chris enjoys biking, camping, watching movies, shredding the gnar at local shows, and spending time with his dog, Mazzy.

Lindsay Blake

Director of Student Services

Lindsay (she/her) has been at OBCA since 2017 when she started in a part-time role and lived around the corner from our old San Francisco office in the Presidio. She now works remotely and leads the Student Services team. Lindsay remains grateful to have found such collaborative and amazing people to work with at Outward Bound!

Lindsay’s love of the outdoors began when she challenged herself to try something new and signed up for a 10-day backpacking trip as part of freshman orientation to college - without ever having camped before. She was pushed way out of her comfort zone, made lifelong friends, and loved the whole experience! While she is now more of a day hiker and car camper rather than a backpacker, Lindsay enjoys getting outside and unplugging as much as possible. She particularly enjoys witnessing her child’s curiosity and awe in nature, and loves that her team gets to support so many people of all ages on their own adventures in the great outdoors.

Cristina Bourassa

Bay Area Outreach and Sales Coordinator

Cristina (she/her) supports OBCA’s outreach initiatives to enhance participation in the Challenge Course in San Francisco, as well as other one-day program opportunities such as Outward Bound Professional. She comes to OBCA with a unique blend of environmental policy science expertise and is a strategic leader in environmental justice, social equity, and community-centered engagement.

Cristina's community introduced her to many adventures and she has dedicated herself to doing the same for others. Sweat, tears, laughter, communication through single word memories that your friend innately understands (i.e. stick, rock, spider), which leads to more laughter and deep knowing, followed by a warm bubbly water that you imagine was cold, and Cristina's life cup is refilled.

Han Bourne

Staffing Manager

Han (they/them) joined Outward Bound California in 2018 as an instructor in the Bay Area. Since then, they have worked across both our High Sierra and Joshua Tree basecamps. 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 backpacking, knitting, or climbing.

Katie Burke

Executive and Development Coordinator

Katie (she/her) joined Outward Bound California in 2023 as a Colorado-based contractor, providing versatile administrative support before coming aboard as a staff member in 2025. In her current role, Katie collaborates closely with the Executive Director to advance project planning and implementation, coordinate Board meetings and events, and assist the Development Team with donor communications and system maintenance, creating cohesion and fostering engagement from behind the scenes.

Originally from Oklahoma, Katie’s passion for the outdoors was sparked at nineteen on her first backpacking trip in Big Bend National Park, where she discovered the joys—and challenges—of “type 2 fun.” Since then, she has made time outside a daily priority, regularly planning adventures to stay grounded and push her limits. Katie is thrilled to now contribute to an organization that opens doors to transformative outdoor experiences for young people. When not at work or playing outside, she enjoys writing, exploring old places, experimenting with music, and caring for other people’s pets.

Peter Chagnon

Program Manager

This is Peter's (he/him) second season as a High Sierra Program Manager. He's instructed four summers in the field at OBCA. Peter is a Wilderness EMT and Apprentice Rock Guide. 

Outdoors he is drawn to movement through austere landscapes like the Sierra alpine granite or red Utah deserts. Peter is excited to support new generations of staff and students growing through a life lived outdoors. In his free time Peter enjoys climbing, film photography, and silly goosery.

Elena Chin

High Sierra Program Director

Elena Chin (she/her) is the High Sierra Program Director 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.

Jonathan N Dasani

Southern California Program Manager

Jonathan (they/them, he/him) has been the Program Manager for the So Cal base since 2023 after having been a field staff at all OBCA basecamps since 2018.

With a background in traditional academic education and experience working in non-profit after-school programs throughout Philadelphia since 2009, Jonathan realized classroom teaching was not quite their calling.

A chance meeting with a Philadelphia Outward Bound School representative led to their exploration of Outdoor Education. Jonathan began working for Outward Bound at the Philadelphia and Baltimore schools in 2014. Now a dedicated OBCA staff member, Jonathan spends their "winter" season supporting programming in the Mojave, and their summer supporting programming throughout the Sierras.

When not working, Jonathan loves spending time at home, climbing with Joshua Tree friends, and hunting down the best tacos in town.

Dillon Estrada

Expedition and Outreach Coordinator

Dillon (he/him), the Expedition and Outreach Coordinator at Outward Bound California (OBCA), has worn many hats within the organization. His journey began as a full scholarship student awarded to People of Color on the Outdoor Educator Semester Course in 2018. After completing the course, he pursued a degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration with an emphasis on Outdoor Recreation. He worked a couple outdoor education jobs before quite literally stumbling into Outward Bound again in Joshua Tree and being hired as one of two folks to ever have been hired specifically for the Southern California basecamp.

Since he began his work with Outward Bound in 2019, he has worked as a Lead Instructor and Trainer for both the High Sierra and Joshua Tree program, served as the Logistics Manager for the Joshua Tree program, as well as worked some freelance photography work for the marketing team!

He now works fully remote in Ventura, CA, which is where his heart has always been, having grown up in the area. Dillon is immensely passionate about the work Outward Bound does and works diligently to help increase access to opportunities like he had with Outward Bound. 

Outside of work you can find Dillon playing beach volleyball, working on an album he’s been writing under the moniker of “Cozy Town," or catching an early morning surf session and a breakfast burrito!

Rachel Fair

High Sierra Logistics Manager

Emily Ford

Grants and Data 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.

Kenja Griffin

Southern California Program Manager

For nearly 30 years, Kenja Griffin has dedicated his life to Outward Bound’s mission of building compassion, confidence, and resilience through challenge and adventure. His journey began at age 25 as a student on a seven-day backpacking and climbing course in the Mid-Atlantic. What started as a personal challenge became a lifelong calling. The power of strangers sharing truth, wisdom, and vulnerability around a campfire left an indelible mark — and sparked a commitment that continues to this day.

A proud alum of the Mid-Atlantic Diversity Fellowship, funded through the Department of Natural Resources, Kenja completed a year-long immersion in expedition training across multiple environments — canoeing, sailing, backpacking, dogsledding, and urban expeditions — from Florida’s waterways to Maine’s rugged coastlines. Since then, he has instructed with nearly every U.S. Outward Bound base, including Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School (CBOBS), Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS), New York City (NYCOBS), Hurricane Island (HIOBS), North Carolina (NCOBS), Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS), Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding, and California (OBCA). His courses have ranged from 3-day community programs to 65-day wilderness expeditions in mountain, desert, alpine, and urban settings.

A staff trainer since 1998, Kenja is known for his infectious energy, deep compassion, and commitment to course quality. He is a recipient of the Josh Minor Award (2017) and multiple service and compassion awards. He was instrumental in connecting Outward Bound to Over the Edge, now a major fundraiser that supports OB programs nationwide.

As a veteran, farmer, and builder currently residing in South Carolina, during the summers, Kenja continues to live the Outward Bound values every day — resilience, service, and the courage to face challenge as a path to growth.

Throughout three decades, Kenja's greatest challenge has also been his most defining: navigating the realities of race and identity in remote outdoor spaces. As a participant in one of Outward Bound’s earliest diversity initiatives, he helped pave the way for future generations of instructors of color. Despite enduring racism and moments of deep isolation, he remained steadfast — leading with integrity, courage, and compassion. Kenja's story stands as a testament to endurance, leadership, and the power of belonging in the wilderness.

He returns to Joshua Tree every winter to mentor and shape the next generation of Outward Bounders.

Sara Grimmer

Senior Finance and Operations Manager

Sara (she/her) is the Senior Finance and Operations Manager of OBCA. Sara oversees the financial health of the organization, manages budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, and ensures that day-to-day operations run smoothly.

Sara’s connection to Outward Bound began at an early age, inspired by her mother, who completed a month-long Outward Bound backpacking and rock climbing course in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains in 1974. Growing up in a family that frequently explored the outdoors, Sara naturally gravitated toward outdoor education. Throughout high school and college, she led outdoor programs, discovering firsthand the transformative power of nature. The profound impact the outdoors has had on her own life, combined with witnessing how it fosters connection and community, has fueled her passion for making outdoor experiences more accessible to everyone.

Jessica Haist

Senior People Operations Manager

Jessica (she/her) 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. She currently oversees the People Operations (HR) needs for OBCA working closely with the Leadership Team and all departments.

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 Mammoth Lakes, in her beloved Sierra Nevada mountain range with her husband and young son where she enjoys climbing, skiing, and biking in the mountains year-round.

Deanna Hong

High Sierra Program Manager

In her current role, Deanna supports partner relationships, course operations and staff development for summer and fall courses in the High Sierra. Before joining OBCA, she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail with her partner and worked at Spirit Rock Meditation Center as a vegetarian cook.

Deanna grew up in a city and developed a relationship with nature by regularly visiting a local creek. Many years later, she intentionally nurtured that relationship by living near Point Reyes National Seashore, where she had so much access to beautiful hiking and running trails and developed an interest in rock climbing. Thru-hiking the PCT sparked the passion to share these outdoor experiences with others, and in particular, youth of color.

Chelsea Knoren

Senior Marketing and Communications Manager

I'm the Senior Marketing and Communications Manager at OBCA. I started working for OBCA in the Student Services department, with a foot in the communications team. 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.

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.

Christine Popp

High Sierra Associate Logistics Manager

Christine (she/her) is thrilled to join the OBCA community as the High Sierra Associate Logistics Manager, utilizing her past experience in logistics at NWOBS to support and mentor the High Sierra Logistics staff.

Christine's path to OBCA has been long and winding. Her time in Ethiopia as a Peace Corps volunteer sparked her passion for youth empowerment, and a thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail solidified her love of the backcountry. She has since been driven to combine the two, and thinks she may have found the perfect balance as Associate Logistics Manager. The High Sierra is Christine's happy place, and when she is not working, she spends her time off on solo backpacking trips exploring the surrounding mountains.

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.

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 supporting our amazing team of instructors at the ropes course and working in admin, helping our partners plan and prepare for their programs.

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.

Eli Walker

High Sierra Associate Program Director

Eli (he/him) has travelled the East Coast facilitating expedition-style programming for Outward Bound since 2012. He has sailed, sea kayaked, backpacked, rock climbed, canoed, and “duckied” in Maine, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida and Costa Rica. While it’s hard to pick a favorite moment or position, he particularly loved being the Program Director in Newry, Maine, for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. There he was known for squeezing whitewater canoeing into short periods of time off, encouraging “mandatory fun” breaks, and for the amount of spaghetti he could eat in one sitting.

After HIOBS closed the Newry basecamp in 2023, Eli and his family of three (husband, Sage and dog, Willow) knew they wanted to seek out more connection and community after living in rural Maine for many years. In March of 2025, they arrived in a little corner of Oakland they now call home. While much of California still feels a bit foreign, Eli has enjoyed the familiarity of the Outward Bound community since he joined the OBCA community in May.