Lance Plank

Southwest Program Director

Lance Plank has worked for the school since 2011.  Starting by spending time as an instructor, he grew to love the outdoors of southeastern Utah.  Over the years, he continued developing his instructional experience, and eventually transitioned into program management.  Lance has held several instructional and administrative roles for the school and is currently the Southwest Program Director.  This time has only increased his passion for the COBS mission and how important it is for our students to have Outward Bound experiences. 

Lance completed a Masters of Science in Sport and Recreation Administration in 2013 at Eastern Washington University. He has been working in outdoor education for over a decade and in his personal time continues to seek out opportunities to play outside. Some of these activities include rafting, paddle boarding, rock climbing, and canyoneering.

Leslie Spinelli

Rocky Mountain Program Director

Serving as the Rocky Mountain Program Director since February 2020, Leslie oversees the daily operations of the Leadville Mountain Center, as well as programming throughout the Rockies and beyond. Leslie comes to the COBS with an MS in Experiential Education and more than ten years living and working overseas coordinating and directing service and experiential learning opportunities for students. She is passionate about serving students and staff through quality, safe, and meaningful experiences and work. 

As an adventurer and world traveler, Leslie has climbed and guided on several Andean mountains of Ecuador, Puncak Jaya in Papua, volcanoes of Indonesia, grain silos of Saskatchewan, and explored the Eastern Himalaya in the Kingdom of Bhutan.  As an educator, Leslie has worked with youth and teachers from remote villages in Indonesia, China and Ecuador, developing conflict resolution, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership skills and curriculum. As a mom and partner in crime, Leslie and her husband believe that lasting change and development come through education and immersion. 

This California native is a sucker for sunshine and tacos, making Colorado a perfect place to call home! She looks forward to continuing her career and learning journey in adventure-based education while raising her two kids in the mountains of Leadville.  

Leslie invites ALL to come explore and discover their potential with us by immersing in a COBS course!

Brandon Daun

Associate Program Director of Training and Development

Brandon works for the Rocky Mountain Program, based out of Leadville, CO. He began his journey with the school as an intern and has worked his way through the ranks as an Instructor, Course Director, and has been part of the Program Leadership Team for the past few seasons. He holds an educational background with a Bachelors of Arts in Outdoor Education from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Brandon is a Wilderness First Responder and CPR certified. Brandon has also been to the summit of all the Colorado's 14ers and absolutely loves romping around in the high country.

Brandon has a huge passion for what we do at Outward Bound and truly lives by its values and mission. He takes pride in setting people up for success and providing valuable mentorship to his staff and students. Creating safe and impactful learning environments for all our students along with promoting transference are just a couple of things that drive Brandon to a life dedicated to serve, to strive, and not to yield.

Lauren Larson

Associate Program Director of Logistics

Lauren started with COBS in 2016 as a logistics coordinator for the Southwest Program, and quickly fell in love with the mission of Outward Bound and the desert. After two years in that role, she moved into the Warehouse Manager Position and now works as the APD of Logistics for the Southwest Program. She is passionate about the role that logistics can play in COBS courses, and believes that an excellent course starts with everything behind the scenes. Her favorite part of the year is training new staff and introducing them to Outward Bound.  Lauren has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Nebraska, where she graduated from in 2015. In her personal time she enjoys doing all activities around water, fishing, coaching at a local gym in Moab, and playing with dogs.

Elijah "Eli" High

Associate Program Director - Safety and Course Delivery

Arriving at the Rocky Mountain Program in April 2020, Eli’s responsibilities include coordinating program curriculum and safety, and ensuring high-quality course delivery and operations for family, students, and staff.  Eli comes to COBS with a BS in History and 10 years of working in outdoor education and wilderness expeditions.  He is passionate about working with students and serving as a positive example to his coworkers and community.

Eli began his work in outdoor education by teaching in the northeastern portion of the U.S. from the coasts of Maine to the Adirondack Mountains of New York and was both a Program Coordinator and the Adventure and Outdoor Education Director for two different non-profits.  The importance he saw in exposure to the outdoors led him on a path to becoming a professional wilderness guide.  Eli was a backpacking and river guide in Glacier National Park before moving “North to the Future.” Eli spent four years in Alaska as a Heli-Guide before becoming the Guide Manager for a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World.  With his experience trekking across glaciers, fly-fishing remote rives, exploring the alpine tundra, rafting hidden canyons, and sea kayaking and exploring the majestic fjords of southcentral and coastal Alaska, Eli brings a deep passion for the outdoors. 

This Georgia native has a weak spot for sunshine, southern cooking, peach cobbler, and good ol’ fashioned manners.  He brings a high-energy approach to his life, the work that he does, and the people he is around.  Eli invites ALL to come and explore the “neighborhood” with him and looks forward to the adventures to come!

Chris Rogers

Facilities Manager

Freya

Houndskeeper