Jessica Allen, Allen Media Consulting
Caitlin Colgin, SnoPlanks Academy OSU-Cascades
Jared Devine, Snow Peak USA
Megan Duffey, Mountain Hardwear
Inge Erickson, NuORDER by Lightspeed
Jonas Goldsmith, Parallel 33 Sales
Michael Gostlin, Osprey Packs
Melanie Harsha, HOKA
Kevin Hausfeld, LightHaus Group LLC
Alexander Kim, EXPED
Grace Mayernik, ExpertVoice
Natalie Merrill, Backbone Media
Tarin O'Donnell, Tarin It Up Podcast & Freelance
Keeley O'Dougherty, Allbirds
Buck Smith, Christy Sports
Awanti Sura, OREC (previously)
Kourtney Woracek, Altra Running
Sean Yeo, Pack Rat Outdoor Center

Applications are welcomed from individuals with 3-5 years of working experience, outdoor industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and adjacent categories like hunt, fish, run and more. (You do not have to be currently managing a team to apply.)

Leadership Academy tuition for 2026 is $6,400.

The withdrawal window for the 2026 Leadership Academy closes on June 1, 2026. After this date, participants are responsible for full tuition.

Tuition (lump sum or initial monthly payment) is due by April 1, 2026.

We do offer payment plans.

We have limited scholarship funding available.

We expect all program applicants to understand their funding in advance of applying.

We expect all scholarship applicants to have already asked their employer for financial support - please reach out if you need additional assets to support these conversations.

Our scholarship funding changes from year to year with sponsor support, but our goal is to be able to cover 5-6 full or half scholarships.  Scholarships may be awarded based on financial need, equitable access, and merit.  Tuition scholarships are typically given to Journalist, Entrepreneur, Nonprofit, and BIPOC candidates.

The Leadership Academy is an annual seven month program from April to November.  The Academy is a hybrid program that requires virtual attendance for weekly speakers, individual and group coursework, mentorship, in person events, and a capstone project.  Most participants spend 8-10 hours per week on program material.  The effort and dedication participants put into this program directly influence the value and benefits they receive.

The curriculum includes personal and professional development topics led by industry professionals. Areas of focus include practical leadership tools, diversity equity and inclusion, advocacy, sustainability and personal values. Each week, you will listen, reflect and share about the learning with others in the program. Our primary focus is to guide emerging leaders through lessons that develop important soft skills and ways of thinking about critical issues we face today.

Peer learning is a recurring form of interaction in the first half of the program. The second half involves a non-profit group project where you will be paired with members of your class based on personality profiles.

Overnight Orientation in Utah: April 13-14, 2026

CAMP Retreat in Utah: August 2026 (likely 16-19th - pending venue confirmation)

Capstone Presentations + Graduation in Kansas City: November 10, 2026

Yes, you can participate in the Leadership Academy while working full-time. However, it’s important to note that the program requires a significant time commitment, including in-person attendance at key events (Overnight Orientation, CAMP Retreat, and Capstone Presentations + Graduation) and the prompt completion of educational modules, group projects, and other activities. We recommend assessing your availability and workload to ensure you can fully engage with the program's requirements and benefit from the experience.

Yes, international participants are welcome to join the Leadership Academy. However, please note that attendance at the in-person events—the Overnight Orientation, CAMP Retreat, and Capstone Presentations + Graduation—is mandatory. International participants must independently organize and fund their travel to these gatherings. If you have any questions or need support in planning, please let us know!