Our Team

Everyone who knows Outward Bound, knows that there is something special about Outward Bound field crew! They are highly qualified outdoor education practitioners and skilled facilitators. Our crew is focused 100% on creating positive, impactful and safe experiences for participants.

Few people leave an Outward Bound program without a sense of awe and gratitude to the Group Leaders that have guided their Outward Bound journey.

Catherine

Trainee

Catherine is a trying new things enthusiast. With a particular penchant for all things aquatic, you can be sure she'll always be up for a swim, dive or kayak. Having done a degree in natural sciences, she's keen to share her passion for the outdoors with others and inspire them to find their inner adventurer.

Emilia

Trainee

Emilia took an unexpected route to Outward Bound, starting her career as a classical flute player in the UK. After teaching piano at a school in the Lake District, she realised she much preferred being covered from mud from head to toe, mountain biking, climbing crags, and running up mountains than being stuck inside studying Mozart. Her special skill is walking while reading.

Pace

Trainee

Pace is Canberra raised and always looking for adventure. Looking for new caves to crawl through or scuba diving below the ocean Pace is seeking a unique place to find himself in and then looking to share that with others. On his days off he plays Ultimate Frisbee for a couple different teams and can talk you ear off about it. Pace is always happy to pass on his knowledge and show off his passions.

Jess

Trainee

Jess grew up in the UK and has lived in various places across Australia since relocating in 2014. Her love for the outdoors was sparked when she worked at Girl Scout summer camps in the USA, where she taught archery, kayaking and was famous for her worm-eating skit. Jess is most happy in the outdoors when paddling on a river, eating snacks. In her spare time, she is also a massive nerd, playing board games, video games and Dungeons & Dragons.

Kat

Trainee

Kat grew up on the beach in Victoria and has lived in the USA, Adelaide, Alice Springs and Canberra. Kat has a background in youth work and is passionate about mental health and wellbeing. In her spare time, Kat is often found trail running and mountain biking.

Morgan

Trainee

Morgan is from the big bright lights of Brisbane. He loves to have a laugh and lives for sports and the outdoors. If he's not out rock climbing or kayaking you'll find him traveling the world, playing golf or passionately screaming at the tv watching his beloved Broncos and QLD Maroons.

Tom

Trainee

Tom grew up just outside the city of Brisbane in his parent's jungle-like plant nursery. It was tradition for him and his siblings to go through a rite of passage camp when they came of age, and Tom kept going back to help! He loves to hear about all your weird and niche interests, and harbours some of his own. Insects, metalwork, drawing, whittling. Ask Tom about these and he'll happily ramble on about them.

Taylor

Trainee

Taylor is a local from the bush capital. She is an animal lover at heart who loves traveling, abseiling, high ropes and playing sport. Taylor is always on the lookout for new adventures and spent the last year living in the Whitsundays swimming with the sea creatures. Studying outdoor education throughout high school and college opened her eyes to the endless adventures to be found in the great outdoors and she soon knew this was the career path for her.

Lauren

Trainee

Lauren grew up on the Gold Coast, recently working as a paramedic. She loves bouldering, reading and exploring the Queensland rainforests. She has a passion for self-development and is super excited to help others grow through the great outdoors. On her days off, Lauren can be found under a tree tucking into a bowl of potato salad.

Laura

Trainee

Laura grew up on a farm in the middle of Woop woops, New Zealand. She participated in a 21-day outward bound course, in 2021, which started her outdoor journey. She loves hiking, water skiing, horse riding and wants to develop her skills in rock climbing, kayaking, and sailing. When she is not in the outdoors she loves knitting, crocheting, and sewing clothes.

Jennie

Coordinating Senior Group Leader

Jennie is very passionate about mentoring staff, and everyones overall mental health and wellbeing. She has been supporting People's mental health journeys since 2016 and has recently completed her Deploma in Mental Health Assisted Equine Therapy. On top of her studies, Jennie has finally mastered the art of hula hooping on a slackline.

Mike

Group Leader
(he/him)

Mike grew up in the Southeastern United States and enjoys hiking, rock climbing and running. After completing a bachelor’s degree, he’s spent time working and traveling through parts of Asia, Europe and South America. Mike’s background includes work in conservation and land management, via ferrata guiding and teaching. He couldn’t be more stoked to work at Outward Bound!

Sean

Group Leader

Sean's passion for being an outdoor leader was sparked when he was leading trips in Nepal. He joined Outward Bound as a trainee to combine his love for being active and the outdoors with the core values he shares with us. Sean is an awesome photographer and artist, but can't play a musical instrument to save himself.

Andrew

Group Leader
(he/him)

Andrew is a PE and Science teacher by trade. He loves to see people pushing themselves outside of their comfort zone to achieve amazing things in the outdoors while having a fun time doing so. He loves games, running, climbing, and dancing a bit of salsa whenever he gets a chance.

Helene de Lagillardaie

Head of Operations
(she/her)

Our regional and mobile operations and field crew are managed by Helene. Helene brings a breadth of international expertise and has established a reputation as one of OBs most respected, hard-working leaders, inspiring and mentoring a dedicated field crew.

Violet

Group Leader
(she/her)

Violet is from Denmark in the south west of WA and is a trained primary school teacher. In her spare time Violet enjoys adventures including rock climbing and abseiling or getting crafty with crocheting and sewing. Violet loves being part of a community and is known for making pancakes for everyone on Mondays.

Zali

Assistant Group Leader
(she/her)

Zali grew up living in a rural town called Coober Pedy in South Australia, and experienced living underground. She spent time working as an aquatic’s instructor, teaching a variety of activities including kayaking, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, and snorkelling. When Zali is not in the outdoors she loves to draw or expand her knowledge through books and study, and believes that kindness is everything.

Laura

Group Leader
(she/her)

Laura is a northern rivers rainforest resident - a playful bush kid at heart, always on the hunt for new random animal facts or fun new games. She loves hiking and kayaking and is an aspiring sailor!

Alkira

Group Leader
(she/her)

Alkira grew up in the lush rainforests of the Northern Rivers and spent most of her time as a child playing outside. This fostered her appreciation for the natural world and made her eager to explore. She is a lover of community and outdoors. Alkira has experienced the outdoors through bushwalking, rock climbing and camping. You can always find her in a crowd, just look for the curly fro.

Bridget

Group Leader
(she/her)

Bridget's passion for the outdoors was ignited in 2016 when she was a participant in a 12-day Outward Bound navigator course. She has since become a fiend for all things adventure sports - with a penchant for scuba diving, solo hiking, vertical caving and snow sports. She is currently working on a blueprint for canine adventure equipment so she can bring her dog Monte on all her outdoor jaunts.

Adele

Senior Group Leader
(she/her)

Adele has a love for mountain biking, hiking and skiing. She grew up in New Zealand but travelled and worked in America, Canada and Japan before settling in Jindabyne Australia seven years ago. Studied a Bachelor of Physical Education (Hons) majoring in teaching as well as a cert IV in Outdoor Recreation, so she is excited to bring her skills and experience to Outward Bound.

Dakota

Group Leader
(she/her)

Dakota is from the United States, Florida to be specific. She loves hiking and trying any new outdoor activities. She has spent the last four years travelling around the world, after completing her bachelors degree in fine art. Settling in Australia to become her home and create a career sharing her passion for the outdoors.

Damian

Coordinating Senior Group Leader
(he/him)

Damo grew up on the east coast and is a keen surfer and sportsman. In recent years, Damo has spent time in Canada, Northern Norway and Guatemala. Since working with Outward Bound, Damo has developed his white water expertise and can often be found on the local rivers. His good luck with weather on program is well known – Damo knows how to find the sun every day!

Sam Hodder

Project Manager
(he/him)

Sam was one of the Whiskey interns in 2015. He had been working in the outdoors prior and has got over 10 years of experience in the industry. Sam has both led groups and coordinated in all of Outward Bound’s operational areas. His technical skills in roping, paddling and navigation and his knowledge of the industry are an asset in his coordinating and leading the team in the field.

Marita

Senior Group Leader
(she/her)

Marita grew up in Queensland and is a trained high school teacher. Her love of the outdoors encompasses solo hiking and snow sports. With her sister, Marita took part in a long-distance winter snowshoe expedition across the Australian Alps. Together they have completed the Larapinta Trail and Overland Track both in winter and are currently planning to do the Australian Alps Walking Track on skis. Marita also loves to capture beautiful scenery through her camera lens.

Forrest Perrin De Graff

Program Coordinator

Forrest’s interest in the outdoors was nurtured in him through the Scouts. On his off time, Forrest loves playing Dungeons and Dragons and having board games sessions. Forrest’s culinary specialty include a delicious Japanese Curry and fluffy pancakes.

Lucas Slater

Program Coordinator
(he/him)

Lucas is a Canberra local. His outdoor passions are varied but you can always find him riding his skateboard or surfing down the coast. Lucas likes starting his days with a run up the local hills and a strong coffee.