Growing an Antiracist Outdoor Industry

Steph and Ella are fantastic facilitators. They built an environment where I was very comfortable being uncomfortable. They developed a learning community of outdoor educators with various levels of experience and roles from seasonal field staff all the way up to executive leadership. I learned a lot about racial justice. I also picked up some communication tools that I use with my leadership team on a regular basis.

Ben Fickett (Executive Director, Outward Bound Services Group)

Racial Justice Weavings participant

Thanks to this cohort led by Ella and Steph, I am growing in ways that profoundly impact my career, how I show up for my community and personal relationships, and my role as a parent.

AJ Wojtalik (Marketing Director, Outward Bound Services Group)

Racial Justice Weavings Participant

Steph and Ella have been creating a space for several years now for folks of all identities to learn, reflect, and examine their ideas and knowledge around DEIJ.  Their commitment and drive for these conversations was evidenced by the countless hours of volunteer time and effort they gave to this work.  They create a space in which people can be brave and vulnerable and challenge themselves to learn and grow.  I could not be more grateful for their leadership and guidance.

Megan Macomber (Southwest APD of Training and Staff Development, Colorado Outward Bound School)

Racial Justice Weavings Participant

Steph and Ella are intentional and expert facilitators with expertise in coaching and consulting. In their anti-racism practice, they hold space for curiosity and growth while firmly interrupting bias and harm. Their coaching is guided by compassion for everyone involved.

Bri Golden Copeland (APD Groups Programming, Colorado Outward Bound School)

Racial Justice Weavings Participant

Ella's exceptional facilitation skills created an atmosphere of safety and inclusivity, allowing us to explore complex subjects with curiosity, vulnerability, and compassion. Throughout our journey, we gained awareness of structural racism, deepened our self-awareness, and forged stronger bonds with each other. Ella provides a great balance of academic frameworks, real-world examples, and personal experience that leads to a rich learning environment.

Kelly Brooks (Chief of Staff of Global Sales, HubSpot)

White Antiracist Affinity group participant

Ella's ability to facilitate such challenging and deeply introspective conversations with empathy and grace is something that I had never experienced before joining one of her small group coaching cohorts. 

Christine McLaughlin (Employee Experience Program Manager, HubSpot)

White antiracist affinity group participant

Antiracism work was honestly harder than I expected it would be, and Ella was an incredible leader, coach, and mentor throughout. She worked alongside us. She was vulnerable and transparent about her own journey, and in doing so, she created an environment where people were able to be vulnerable and honest. I can honestly say that I learned things from working with Ella that I will always carry with me: how to be a better ally, leader, and person. I could not recommend the experience of working with Ella more highly. I learned so much. 

Eliza Glynn (Director of Contract Management, HubSpot)

White antiracist affinity group participant

I'm a white, cisgender man who checks all the boxes of privilege. I recently had the opportunity to lead a leadership retreat with a BIPOC group of ROTC cadets from HBCUs and I've got to say, Green Wood and Duff made all the difference for me. I was aware of my privilege, held it lightly, and was able to get out of my own way, avoiding the stumbles and doubts that used to surface and center me when I would go into cross-cultural settings... Hey, dominant culture peeps! If you’re baffled but open to getting help in understanding why your DEI game still isn't really on, GW&D is the deeper dive you're looking for.

Paul Duba (Outdoor Educator, Staff Trainer, Executive Coaching)

Racial Justice Weavings Participant

Steph and Ella have been creating a space for several years now for folks of all identities to learn, reflect, and examine their ideas and knowledge around DEIJ.  Their commitment and drive for these conversations was evidenced by the countless hours of volunteer time and effort they gave to this work.  They create a space in which people can be brave and vulnerable and challenge themselves to learn and grow.  I could not be more grateful for their leadership and guidance.

Megan Macomber (Southwest APD of Training and Staff Development, Colorado Outward Bound School)

Racial Justice Weavings Participant

If you’re looking to collaborate in making real change and growth in yourself, your program, and the greater outdoor community and culture, this is a place for you. Steph and Ella are incredibly knowledgeable, compassionate, and tactful leaders. Deeper education and specific application of anti racist theory and example is needed in the outdoor world, and is especially needed for the people who have a hand in facilitating it for others. Steph and Ella lead this process exceptionally well. Participating in guided discussion and activity in Racial Justice Weaving was deeply inspiring and empowering for myself as an individual and outdoor educator, and left me with hope and passion for how for how anti-racism and DEI work can and will continue to progress within and across communities. The vision is real, building community and changing culture starts small, and it can start here.

Kinley Hartigan (Recreation Leader, University of California - Santa Cruz)

Racial Justice Weavings Participant