Join host Candice Brendler as she sits down with Morgan Costello, the chair of the Board of Directors for AORE. In this episode, they delve into the roles and responsibilities of board members, the difference between a working and strategic board, and Morgan's personal journey to leadership. Discover the importance of community, empowerment, and the impact of grassroots organizations in the outdoor industry.

About Morgan

With a foundation in experiential outdoor education and a passion for access and equity, I support student leaders at Bucknell University and serve nationally as the president of the AORE. My goal is to help more people connect - with nature, each other, and themselves.

Resources

• Board Prospectus

In this conversation, Candace Brendler speaks with Elizabeth Allen, the Director of Impact and Learning at Justice Outside. They discuss the mission of Justice Outside, Elizabeth's career journey in trauma-informed practices, and the importance of creating inclusive outdoor experiences. Elizabeth shares insights into her daily work, the significance of trauma-informed care, and how to foster inclusivity within organizations. The conversation highlights the various pathways to a career in this field and concludes with resources for further learning.

Elizabth will be joining AORE for the 2025 Inclusivity in the Outdoors month. You can learn more here.

Meet Elizabeth

Elizabeth Allen, MA (She/Her), is the Director of Learning and Evaluation at Justice Outside. With 25+ years in behavioral health and non-profit youth development, she champions racial justice and equity in outdoor spaces, focusing on inclusivity for BIPOC and other underrepresented groups. Elizabeth enjoys cycling, hiking, photography and views her greatest achievement as remaining the “cool Auntie” to a 22, 20 and 17 year old.

Resources

• Learn more about Justice Outside: https://justiceoutside.org/

In this conversation, Candace Brendler interviews John Lacroix, the race director of the Human Potential Running Series, discussing the multifaceted role of a race director, the importance of risk management, community building through volunteerism, and the unique challenges of organizing trail running events. John shares insights into his career journey, the logistics involved in race planning, and the essential qualities and experiences needed to be a successful race director. In this conversation, John Lacroix discusses the unique mindset required for trail running and race directing, emphasizing the importance of community and inclusivity in the sport. He reflects on the evolution of race directing from non-profit to for-profit entities, the challenges of creating welcoming spaces for diverse participants, and the high-stress nature of race management. Lacroix also highlights the need for better understanding between race directors and land managers regarding permits and regulations, advocating for a collaborative approach to ensure safe and inclusive outdoor events.

Meet John

John has been a full-time race director since March of 2014. Since then he has directed the most trail running events in Colorado history, and the 2nd most ultramarathon running event in the nation's history. He is certified as a Professional Race Director through Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), Risk Management for Outdoor Programming through internationally recognized Viristar, and Wilderness Firs Responder through Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA). As part of the mission, vision, and ethos of his series, John and his runners conduct numerous trail work days with land management partners throughout the year. To date, their efforts have included nearly 3,000 hours of volunteer service to trails over the last decade. John also volunteers his time on the Outside 285 Regional Partnership, the Policy Committee for the Coalition for Outdoor Access (COA), and was a former member of the Executive Committee of Colorado's Fix CRUS.

Resources

• Human Potential Website https://humanpotentialrunning.com/
• Certifications:
  Risk Management for Outdoor Programs through Viristar: https://www.viristar.com/course/risk-management-for-outdoor-programs/
  Professional Race Director Certification through RRCA: https://www.rrca.org/programs/race-director-certification/
• Non Profits/Coalitions John helps:
  Coalition for Outdoor Access: https://accesstheoutdoors.com/
  Fix CRUS: https://fixcrus.org/
  Outside 285: https://outside285.com/