The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) appointed Laura Hansen as director of custom education. Previously, she filled this role on an interim basis.
“I am thrilled to have Laura leading our efforts in custom education,” said Sandy Colhoun, NOLS’ president. “Laura showed exceptional leadership and initiative in her interim role, and we are excited to see where her plans and vision will be in this essential program of the school.”
Hansen began her journey with NOLS as a Wind River Range backpacking student in 2015. She then took her instructor course in May 2023. She was also the NOLS associate director of custom education, June-December 2023 prior to becoming interim director for this area in January.
“Laura’s strategy consulting background is obvious in her support of NOLS custom education,” stated Liz Tuohy, NOLS Interim VP of Expeditions. “I’m impressed by her ability to consider business decisions in new ways while leveraging NOLS’ historical strengths. She is always grounded in excitement for what we do in the field!”
Before joining NOLS as an instructor in May 2023, she worked as head of growth for Bluebird Backcountry, a backcountry ski startup focused on education and accessibility. She also spent time at Bain & Company, a strategy consulting firm, advising clients on growth strategy and customer experience.
“As a student and instructor, I have witnessed NOLS experiential education in action,” said Hansen. “The best classroom is the NOLS classroom, from the caribou trails of the Talkeetnas in Alaska to the granite cirques of the Wind River range in Wyoming. I look forward to building upon our legacy of excellence in NOLS custom education and providing an innovative approach to elevating today’s leaders and teaching tomorrow’s leaders.”
For more information about NOLS, visit www.nols.edu or call 800.710.6657
