35 leaders in the making

For six months, 35 outdoor industry professionals representing brands and retailers will undergo a program to set them up for success leading the industry into the future. 

Outdoor Industry Association today announced the participants of The Skip Yowell Future Leadership Academy—named after JanSport founder and industry luminary to honor his enduring legacy as one of the great founders, mentors, and leaders in the industry.

Here are their names: 

John Adams, SCARPA
Lucas Alberg, Hydro Flask
Alicia Applegate, Backcountry.com
Brittany Ashcraft, Chaco
Jessie Atherley, Clif Bar & Company
Erin Brucks, Boa Technology Inc.
Daniel Calabrese, Blackstone Investment Group
Stacy Chick, Icebreaker
Theresa Conn, NEMO Equipment
Rachel Davidson, Outdoor Research
Ian Dewar, The North Face
Andrew DuVall, Illinois Lock Company
Cameron Gadd, Mountain Khakis
Ronald Griswell, Townsend Bertram Company
Mae Harris, Optic Nerve
Genna Heath, REI
Roger Huang, Rab USA
Kim Johnston, Patagonia
YooRa Kang, Hillsound Equipment Inc.
Alex Lemley, Outdoor Industry Association
Kim Marek, Quality Bicycle Products
Nick Martinez, Burley Design
John Meadows, HOKA ONE ONE
Aubrey Miller, Redbudsuds
Elliott Nolan, Amer Sports
Ashlee Peterson, Mountain Hardwear
Stephanie Plunkett, Pacific Crest Trail Association
Sarah Riley, Fjallraven North America
Celia Santi, GU Energy Labs
Chris Sears, Outdoor Retailer
Susan Strible, Ruffwear
Sarah van der Hoop, Exxel Outdoors
Greer Van Dyck, Smartwool
Jonny Wood, Yakima
Henry Zimmerman, Arc’teryx

The program, launched in 2016, now has 90 total graduates. The new class of 35 individuals will be partnered with industry mentors who are poised to offer insight and guidance to the next generation of outdoor industry game changers.