KRISTEN KOMLOSY
Kristen joins the Chesapeake Outward Bound School after serving as the Executive Director of Shelters to Shutters. Kristen joined Shelters to Shutters in 2021 as the Executive Director for the National Capital Region market. In her time at Shelters to Shutters, she brought strategic development and engagement opportunities forward that delivered impact to the Shelters to Shutters mission. Her talents in developing market pipeline opportunities, driving strategic process implementation and creating necessary models to facilitate corporate development and outreach efforts deepened Shelters to Shutters impact across the region. Prior to joining Shelters to Shutters, Kristen was the Executive Director of JDRF for Maryland and Girls on the Run – DC, a youth development program, where she provided overall strategic direction for programming, fundraising initiatives to raise 70% of the operating budget, high-level volunteer engagement and financial operations efforts. Kristen initiated and led an expansion of programming into Prince George’s County, MD. As a result, Girls on the Run – DC served over 2,200 girls a year across all eight wards of Washington, DC as well as Prince George’s County. With more than ten years of leadership and management experience, Kristen has a well-rounded background with competencies in the following areas: strategic planning, revenue growth; expanding programming, and providing staff and board with effective leadership and management. Kristen earned a master’s degree in Organizational Development from Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Towson University. She resides in Arnold, MD with her husband and two sons. Outside of work, Kristen spends time hiking, being on the water with family and friends, traveling and cheering on her sons during their soccer and lacrosse games! Kristen is also a graduate of Leadership Greater Washington – class of 2017.
LISA O’BRIEN
A native of central Massachusetts, Lisa spent her childhood building forts in the woods and exploring the rocky beaches of southern Maine. These experiences influenced her both personally and professionally, fueling her confidence to try new things, her preference to work collaboratively, and the satisfaction she feels finding solutions to hard problems. An experienced fundraiser, Lisa has held leadership roles at the Scratch Foundation and KID Museum. In her time with KID Museum, she oversaw the organization’s strategic growth plan, leading the major gifts strategy with corporations, foundations, and individuals, securing six- and seven-figure, multi-year gifts. In 2022, she leveraged the organization’s grand opening celebration of a new, larger downtown location to build brand awareness, garner media attention, and inspire donors to increase their investment, exceeding campaign revenue targets. Earlier in her career, Lisa had the privilege of serving as the founding executive director of the Scratch Foundation, a nonprofit aiming to democratize access to computer coding for everyone. It was at Scratch where Lisa honed her donor cultivation skills and hosted her first NYC fundraising gala, which tripled in revenue by year five. Lisa holds a masters degree from Teachers College, Columbia University and a BA from Boston University. Outside of work, Lisa spends time with her friends kayaking and hiking, making art with a variety of media, and cheering on her daughter at track meets.
MARY ODELL
Starting as an instructor, Mary has worked at Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School since 2014. Mary grew up on Long Island, NY and spent most summers at a camp in Northern Ontario. Summers spent canoeing Canada’s lakes and rivers fostered her belief that group travel in the outdoors builds teams, relationships, and confidence like nothing else can. While earning a degree in English at Loyola University Maryland, Mary spent most of her spare time as a Student Leader for Loyola’s Outdoor Adventure Experience (OAE). With the goal of serving CBOBS students better through the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, Mary completed Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Child and Adolescent Health at Johns Hopkins in 2020. After five years of programming, and the completion of her MPH, she now serves our community as the Program and Safety Director. Mary also loves biking around Baltimore, reading with some coffee, and staring at her cat.
KELLY REYNOLDS
Kelly Reynolds came to Outward Bound in 2014 after five years of teaching in the traditional classroom. She has a passion for the deep learning and insight that can come from personal experience, challenge, and reflection. Mindfulness, community, the human connection to others and the natural world are values that drive her methods of instruction. Kelly Reynolds currently serves as the Director of Learning & Strategic Initiatives at Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School. Her duties include strategic planning and in-school support on CBOBS Character Curriculum, staff training and development, and curriculum design. Reynolds co-authored the CBOBS Character Curriculum, which serves as a bridge for schools to effectively engage with Outward Bound programming. B.A. Education, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, 2009
JODIE CLOUSER
A little about me:
Hey I’m Jodie! I’m originally from Severna Park, MD. I love to run long-distance and bike around Baltimore, where I now call home. I have a degree in Middle Grades Education for Language Arts and still love to read (though preferably outside!). I love a good outdoor fire-pit hangout, hula hooping, casual doodling, and doughnuts.Favorite field meal to cook:
Chili MacA stand out course memory:
On day 10 of a 12 day backpacking expedition we “shipwrecked” our students, leaving them to navigate the trail and function as a group on their own for a day of hiking. My co-instructor and I sneakily watched from behind bushes and trees, observing our students debate which way was the correct one to go at tricky intersections of trail. We saw our students encourage one another through tough terrain, take turns carrying the heavy water supply, make food for each other, and support one another in an unknown environment. It was awesome!Something you love about your job:
I love giving folks the opportunity to see that they can do so much more than they think they can. Sunsets and Sunrises at trail overlooks are also magical.Advice for a future student:
Share when something scares you or makes you nervous, chances are others are feeling the same way and we can support one another.
BUDDY COSNER
Manager of Corporate & Foundation Relations
A lifelong Baltimorean with deep roots in the community, Buddy was first introduced to the majesty of the outdoors through trips to West Virginia, where his family have resided for over two hundred years, working as loggers in the Appalachian mountains. These experiences instilled a deep reverence for nature and a spirit of self-sufficiency. A seasoned electoral and political action committee fundraiser, Buddy has experience in working in dynamic, high-pressure settings with diverse revenue streams. Prior to joining the team at Outward Bound, Buddy served as a consultant for emerging nonprofits, helping to achieve fiscal and operational sustainability. Buddy holds a Bachelor's of Arts in History from Morgan State University and completed his post-graduate studies in Urban Policy at the University of Baltimore. Buddy lives in Baltimore City with his spouse, cat, and snake. Outside of work, Buddy enjoys cooking, playing drums, hiking, and adventure writing.
AVA DUFFEY
Ava (they/them) grew up in Michigan surrounded by a huge extended family. They have always loved music, especially deep-diving into the music of their favorite artists including Nine Inch Nails and Prince. Ava has also always had a love for the natural world, leading them to earn a degree in Geosciences from Princeton University, where they had their first exposure to outdoor education by becoming a peer-leader for Princeton’s Outdoor Action program. This experience led Ava to join the Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School in the Spring of 2019 as an instructor apprentice, and they immediately fell in love with the community and mission of CBOBS. Here at CBOBS and elsewhere, Ava has thrived in roles designed to support others and loves the impact and efficiencies they can build through their role as CBOBS' Operations Manager. Ava also loves food, making coffee, and making cocktails.
SHELBY FREDRICKSON
Associate Director of Programs, Expeditions
A little about me:
I’m Shelby (she/they), from Baltimore! My friends & family call me Bee. I grew up exploring the mid-Atlantic trails and rivers I now get to re-explore with Outward Bound. When I’m not in the field, I’m in my studio painting plants, portraits, pets, and designing tattoos for clients. My dream superpower would be being able to speak to all animals and my real life superpower is parallel parking. I adore fungi, urban agriculture, sloths, Baltimore, and our local animal shelter. You'll hear me constantly talk about my beloved pets; my pups Cricket & Moose, my cat Pancake, and my baby corn snake Marshall. Come play outside with me!Favorite field meal to cook:
Special desserts to celebrate birthdays!A stand out course memory:
Seeing a BABY RIVER OTTER playing with a MAMA RIVER OTTER on the Potomac this spring. Magic. Life changing.Something you love about your job:
My students. It is so easy in this world to become (or stay) jaded, cynical, and pessimistic. My students have taught me over and over again to embrace joy, to be brave in pursuit of new experiences, and to remain hopeful. This work can be indescribably challenging, but my students remind me every course of the immense gratitude I feel to get to be here with them. Also, my co-instructors. I work with the brightest, most supportive, talented group of people in the world. Yes, the WORLD.Advice for a future student:
Outward Bound is a transformative experience, there is no doubt about that. I want to stress that this doesn’t mean the goal is to come out on the other side a different person. The goal is for you to come out on the other side a person who better understands themselves & what they are capable of; to have more tools to navigate change and challenge that will continue to be part of your growth. You come to course on the very first day exactly who we need you to be.My favorite book:
Gathering Moss, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Tiny, seemingly insignificant plants (mosses) actually shape so much of our world- this author weaves botany and poetry together in a profoundly beautiful way.
HANIBAL GNAHOUI
Hanibal has lived all over the east coast including NY, VA, FL and MD. His life experiences have created a person with a deep appreciation and respect of the outdoors while also having a love for city life. He has traveled to four continents and is looking to hit all seven at some point. After graduating from Towson University with a Degree in Education he spent years working in the fitness industry and remains involved in collegiate sports as a rugby coach. After becoming an Outward Bound Alum and then eventually an instructor, he has come full circle to help provide Baltimore City youth the life changing experiences that Outward Bound can offer. His favorite thing about working for CBOBS is knowing that his colleagues genuinely have the best interest of all we serve at heart, and work hard to be compassionate human beings. Not many folks can say they go home at the end of the day feeling like they made a positive impact on society, but he feels he can.
LAINIE GRAY
Lainie grew up in upstate NY surrounded by beautiful landscapes and endless outdoor adventures. Her love of nature led her to pursue a degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership (OAL) from Ithaca College. As part of the degree program, OAL students participated in a 90-day multi-element expedition with the Colorado Outward Bound School. After graduating from Ithaca with high honors, Lainie worked as a day program facilitator and an expedition leader for a handful of different outdoor organizations before finding herself at the Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School. Lainie was a field instructor for 3 years before stepping into her current role as the Insight Program Coordinator. “I love the work that we do here. Our incredible students and the amazing community of CBOBS is what keeps me here.”
RUCHI JALLA
Ruchi Jalla is a human resources executive, coach, and consultant with extensive experience in culture, leadership, and DEI. She has held senior HR leadership roles at Elevance Health and BAE Systems and launched her own firm, Leaders & Levers, supporting companies and nonprofits with strategy, talent, and culture. Ruchi is a certified coach with Hogan Assessment credentials, and she holds GPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario and has previously served on the Virginia SHRM State Council and the NOVA SHRM Board of Directors. Ruchi also serves on the Board of Trustees at The Langley School, where she is the incoming Chair. She first partnered with Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School through a Compass Pro Bono project and is excited to continue advancing its mission in her new role. Ruchi and her husband, Shan, live in Northern Virginia and have three children named Aliana (12), Divya (7), and Naian (4).
GRACEMARIE JETER
Gracemarie grew up in NY/NJ with a love for day-hiking in areas from the Delaware Water Gap to the Hudson Valley. Shortly after graduating from Bucknell University, she backpacked from NH into Maine with Outward Bound. The courage and confidence she gained through that course was instrumental to her success as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service and in every challenging role she has undertaken since. Gracemarie has visited 42 states and 7 foreign countries, enjoys growing in her faith, trying new GF recipes, solving puzzles, and researching ancestry. Her greatest adventure is with her husband as they parent four amazing young women. “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” ~ Mark Twain
SHEY LAMBERT
A native of Knoxville, TN, Shey grew up exploring the lush landscapes of the southern Appalachian Mountains and the vibrant trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was through his own experiences of exploration in the wilderness of these lands that broadened his love for the outdoors and guided his understanding of how one’s own immersive experience in nature can create a backdrop for challenge and discovery within one’s own self. After failing to graduate high school, Shey found guidance through participation and involvement in asset based, outdoor and experiential education programming much like what we offer here at Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School. These experiences fostered and instilled confidence, adaptability, and determination within himself and equipped him with the certitude that he was capable of confronting and overcoming any challenges or obstacles that life may throw his way. As of today, Shey has become the first generation in his family to have obtained a college degree. He has earned an Associate of Arts in Outdoor Leadership Education and Recreation from San Juan College, a Bachelor of Arts in Adventure Education from Prescott College, and a Master of Science in Recreation Management from Southern Illinois University. Shey knows the incredible impact an expedition or experience with Outward Bound can have on a person’s life and he wants to make certain all students in the DC area have accessibility to these opportunities through the Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School.
TIANA “TIMO” MORRIS
Expedition Program Coordinator – Recruiting
A little about me:
Hey Friends, My name is TIMO and I am originally from the Peach State. Since leaving GA I have lived in IA, MI, MN, MD, CO, MT and traveled to 32 other states. My personal goal is to get to all 50 states and beyond. I am passionate about service and spent my young adulthood serving in AmeriCorps. I moved to Maryland to continue my journey with AmeriCorps, and as a resort I found my home here at CBOBS. I'm always down for a good movie night, good food and great company!Favorite field meal to cook:
JambalayaA stand out course memory:
First night of course a storm rolls in and it's raining cats and dogs! There is lighting on top of us so we get into lighting drill. The first 5 mins, I'm thinking "wow this must be tough for the students". Then I realized there was another sound in the distance. It sounded a little like," I guess you'd say, What can make me feel this way. My girl, my girl, my girl, talkin' 'bout my girl. My girl." The whole crew was singing at the top of there lungs so that they could hear each other because we were all spaced out. That's when I knew this crew was ready to take on any challenge with style. We were out there together.Something you love about your job:
Course Magic. Everyday is a new adventure.Advice for a future student:
You don't know it yet but everyday you are making memories of a lifetime. So enjoy the little things. That's how you show up for your life's journey.
JEREMIAH NICHOLSON
A Maryland native and Baltimore resident, Jeremiah received his B.A in Film Production from Hofstra University in 2017 and has worked in various roles within the communications industry. In 2021 he began a service year with Americorps and afterwards began working for a DC area non-profit specializing in adult education. He started work at Outward Bound in early 2024 and is continuously inspired by, and eager to contribute to, the mission and vision of CBOBS. He'll take any excuse to embed with a CBOBS crew under the guise of "highlighting the growth our students experience" and "documenting the important work we do", but we all know he's just making excuses to be able to spend more time in nature. Outside of work he enjoys exploring local walking paths, working on his car, listening to music, and playing board games.
KHAI OVERTON
A lifetime resident of Baltimore, and a product of its private, public, and charter school systems, Khai has worked at CBOBS since joining our Spring 2016 apprentice class. In 2019 , Khai was named Program Coordinator of CBOBS’s Police Youth Challenge Program. Improving police community relations, specifically between youth and BPD, is the main goal of PYC and within his tole Khai has pushed CBOBS into new spaces in this aspect. In October 2019, Khai delivered a TEDx talk on the program as part of the college TEDx series held at Thomas Jefferson University. Also in December 2020 , Khai was named to the inaugural Public Safety Citizens Advisory Commission by Mayor Brandon Scott due to his work in the realms of police reform in Baltimore. When not looking to create equity within the community of Baltimore, Khai enjoys coaching preschool sports clinics at the YMCA, and hanging out with his godson Anthony.
JAKE STIBBE
A little about me:
Howdy! My name is Jake and I hail from Fargo, North Dakota (yes, I'm actually from Fargo). I came to CBOBS in 2019, and am excited to be returning as a full time instructor this year. I graduated from Emerson College in Boston, MA with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. I've also worked about two years in wilderness therapy and am passionate about mental health and the wilderness as a healing modality. During my free time you can catch me playing (like a 5 year old) outside, checking out local coffee shops, or going on a spontaneous adventure. Peace, Love, Chow!Favorite field meal to cook:
You can't beat some backcountry coconut curry!A stand out course memory:
My co-instructor Jodie and I were on 12-day backpacking course, and we had a long push day in the Dolly Sods. Now, the sods can be kind of confusing, so it took us a couple hours to navigate to our campsite, but once we did, we set up camp and journeyed to this incredible look out, where our students ask if we can all share five minutes of silence and reflection together. It was magical.Something you love about your job:
I love having the opportunity to introduce a majority of our students to a backcountry experience!Advice for a future student:
Give it your best shot! You might end up realizing or confirming that a backcountry adventure is not your thing OR you might just end up discovering a new passion.
ANDREW “SULLY” SULLIVAN
Associate Program Director, Day Programs
