Email Eric | Connect with Eric on LinkedIn

As Hale’s fourth executive director—a position he’s held since 2001—Eric focuses on strategic leadership, fundraising, and partnership development to expand access to outdoor learning opportunities and close the nature and achievement gaps. His parents owned a camp in the early 1970s and he came to love the industry so much, he never left it! Earlier in his career, Eric taught at Beaver Country Day School and directed several camps in Maine, where he launched a small outdoor education center. Eric is a former president of both the Massachusetts Camping Association and the American Camp Association of New England. He currently serves on the advisory board of Philanthropy Massachusetts’ Summer Fund. In his spare time, you’ll find him on family adventures, mountain biking, skiing, trail running, and playing music. Eric earned a B.A. in Mass Communications and Geography from the University of Denver and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Lesley University.

Fun Fact: Eric is pretty obsessed with the role the beaver plays in the health of our natural world.

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”—Frederick Douglass

Email Emerson | Connect with Emerson on LinkedIn

Emerson has served as a facilitator on Hale’s challenge courses since 2019 and joined us year-round in 2021. Previously, he worked with Project Adventure and the YMCA, most recently as the Assistant Camp and Youth Director at YMCA Camp Ingersoll in Connecticut. At Hale, Emerson supports challenge course operations throughout the year, including hiring and training facilitators, designing programs, and ensuring regulatory compliance. He also helps oversee Vacation Days and other programs. Outside Hale, Emerson stays active by playing competitive volleyball, running, and hiking. He graduated from Springfield College in 2013 with a B.S. in Sports Management and a minor in Business Administration. He holds several certifications: Challenge Course Manager, Level 1 Archery Instructor, American Red Cross Lifeguard, and Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aider.

Email Jocelyn | Connect with Jocelyn on LinkedIn

Jocelyn manages all things fundraising, including donor relations and grant requests. Prior to joining Hale, she ran her own fitness business and worked in an admissions role at a middle school in Framingham. She lives in Norwood with her husband, Tom, two young daughters, Emily and Hannah, dogs, Creston and Scout, and nine hens. When she’s not at Hale, she loves to hike, camp, and garden. Jocelyn earned a B.A. in Political Science from California Lutheran University and studied Environmental Studies, Advocacy for Sustainability and Social Justice at Antioch University.

Fun Fact: Jocelyn loves to bake—so much so that she baked her own wedding cake.

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”—Robert Swan

Email John | Connect with John on LinkedIn

John is a senior management and operations executive with more than 25 years of experience across several industries. He is best known for bridging finance and core business operations to develop productive cross-company alliances. John feels fortunate to have found Hale “as a young lad,” when he learned to swim and developed a lasting appreciation of the outdoors here. An avid sports fan, he’s an incurable homer who enjoys all local teams—he even coached and led girls’ softball and basketball in Rockland for a decade. In his spare time, John’s a passionate cook and gardener.

Email Will C.

Will C. develops program curricula, teaches, and coaches educational leaders at the Perrone-Sizer Center for Creative Leadership at Hale. He also provides consulting services for Hale’s Impact Partners (schools and organizations that collaborate on extended learning initiatives). When he’s not at Hale, Will C. is a university professor and international performer, trainer, and administrator of Playback Theatre. He’s a respected poet and creative event planner who engages communities through the arts. In his free time, Will C. enjoys traveling, eating, cooking, surrounding himself by nature, and “building authentic relationships through existential conversations with empathetically reflective individuals.” He earned a B.A. in Theater Arts from Brandeis University and an M.Ed. in Arts in Education from Harvard University.

Email Diane | Connect with Diane on LinkedIn

Diane manages financial operations including payroll, benefits administration, bookkeeping, and audits—and with 30 years of experience here, she’s the resident expert on all things Hale. Her adult sons, Michael and Matthew, both attended Hale Day Camp as children and joined its staff as teenagers. Fall is her favorite season at Hale because she especially loves brilliant foliage. Outside of work, she enjoys walking, watching movies, playing games, and spending time with her family. She and her husband Patrick currently reside in Franklin. Diane earned her Certificate of General Accounting from Bentley College.

Gary splits his time between greeting visitors at Hale’s main entrance and tending to the property with our Buildings & Grounds team. He lives in neighboring Canton with his family, and while he wasn’t familiar with Hale prior to joining the staff, he is now an experienced hiker on many of Hale’s trails. His knowledge of which routes are best suited to various activities is invaluable. Be sure to ask him for navigation tips.

Email Sue

Sue works with a wide variety of schools and organizations to design programs that achieve their learning objectives. Lovingly known as “Super Sue” to tens of thousands of participants, she’s a master facilitator with 25 years of experience in challenge course design, operations, and administration. A former teacher, she specializes in behavior modification and teambuilding and is certified by Project Adventure and High 5 Adventure Learning Center. Sue earned a B.S. in Geology from Acadia University.

Fun Fact: Sue loves to explore new and different places.

Email Tom

One of three resident employees, Tom’s been with Hale since 1986 and has seen a tremendous amount of change in that time. From shifts in biodiversity—he was thrilled to see bald eagles return—to new buildings and programs, he feels lucky to bear witness to it all. It will come as no surprise that Tom enjoys hiking (the ABC Trail is one of his favorites). Tom earned a B.S. in Social Sciences with an emphasis on Park Management from Unity College.

Fun Fact: At 6’7″, Tom is the tallest staff member at Hale.

“The beauty and charm of the wilderness are his for the asking, for the edges of the wilderness lie close beside the beaten roads of the present travel.”—Theodore Roosevelt

Email Greg | Connect with Greg on LinkedIn

Greg works with staff and board members to build Hale’s brand, broaden awareness of its impact, and encourage everyone to spend more time in the outdoors. He leads digital and print initiatives and partnerships that tell Hale’s story and support program enrollment, membership, and philanthropy. Previously Greg oversaw delivery of Harvard Business School’s flagship experiential learning course, Field Immersion Experiences for Leadership Development, which featured activity-based classes in communication and feedback, global immersion trips that enhanced cultural competence, and a startup incubator that taught design thinking and launched hundreds of student businesses— if you’re a fan of Shark Tank, you might even recognize a few! When he isn’t promoting Hale or teaching at Emerson College, he enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling, and photography. Greg earned a B.S. in Communication with concentrations in Advertising and Psychology from Boston University, and an M.A. in Education from Stanford University.

Email Sydney | Connect with Sydney on LinkedIn

Sydney expands learning by helping high school students explore the outdoors through Intrepid Academy at Hale—she loves inspiring young people to engage in their communities and connect with the natural world. With more than 20 years of experience working with youth, she previously served as a therapeutic mentor at the Italian Home for Children. Sydney enjoys hiking, biking, and running—in fact, there’s a good chance you’ll find her training for an upcoming marathon. She’s also certified in CPR and First Aid by the American Red Cross. Sydney earned a B.S. in Psychology from Boston University.

Email Dustin | Connect with Dustin on LinkedIn

Dustin oversees the many elements of Hale Day Camp. Prior to joining Hale, he worked at a variety of camps throughout New York, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic. When he’s not at Hale, he works in Admissions at Ithaca College and lives in Norwood with his dog Louie. Dustin earned a B.A. in Elementary Education and Theatre from Saint Michael’s College and an Ed.M. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from Boston University.

Email Ariel

Email Shannon | Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn

Shannon manages public programs, facility rentals, and Hale’s Family & Community Program. She also oversees staffing and supervision of all three waterfronts during the summer. Shannon jokes that previously, she worked at Hale (she’s been with us for the first few decades of her professional career, and prior to that, grew up on our beaches and trails). As a certified Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard Instructor, Shannon is authorized to teach Lifeguarding and CPR for the Professional Rescuer and American Red Cross swimming lessons. Shannon earned a B.A. in English from Providence College and an M.S. in Psychology from Capella University.

Fun Fact: Shannon competes globally in broomball and travels with teams from Boston, Minnesota, and other U.S. cities.

Email Bola | Connect with Bola on LinkedIn

Bola collaborates with the Intrepid Academy at Hale team, partner schools, and the larger Hale community to provide nature-based education, community building, and leadership development for the youth of Boston Public Schools. Previously, Bola led young people through a nomadic model of wilderness therapy in the Utah high desert and facilitated dialogue about identity, social issues, and political action for high schoolers across the country. They enjoy caring for their indoor jungle, roller skating wherever they can find paved roads, and listening to books on tape. Bola earned a B.A. in African-American Studies with a minor in Ethnomusicology at Northeastern University.

Fun Fact: Bola has a pet rabbit the size of a small dog.

“Real wealth is not the possession of property but the recognition that our deepest need, as human beings, is to keep developing our natural and acquired powers to relate to other human beings.”—Grace Lee Boggs

Email Sunny | Connect with Sunny on LinkedIn

A former teacher, administrator, and principal at several Boston Public Schools, Sunny is a seasoned K–12 educator who leads professional learning programs at Hale including the Perrone-Sizer Institute for Creative Leadership and multiple school partnerships that reimagine learning. He also serves on the board of the Progressive Education Network. Previously, he advanced student-centered learning at Charlestown High School, Boston Arts Academy, Rainier Scholars, and the Media Communications Technology High School. Outside of work, he spends time at home with his wife and two sons in Jamaica Plain, coaches youth baseball, and roots for his beloved New York Yankees. Sunny earned a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.Ed. in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University, and a C.A.G.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Fun Fact: Sunny grew up training as a classical musician—in both piano and French horn—and played in many orchestras, chamber music groups, and pit orchestras.

“Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world.”—Paulo Freire

Email Erica | Connect with Erica on LinkedIn

Erica creates empowering semester-school experiences for high school students from Boston Public Schools. Working alongside Intrepid Academy at Hale’s staff, she builds school partnerships, collaborates with BPS teachers, and leads Hale’s Outdoor Guides to create culturally sustainable curricula and pedagogies grounded in outdoor learning. Erica previously worked as a practitioner of diversity, equity, and inclusion at independent schools including Shady Hill and Noble and Greenough; before that, she directed the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Upward Bound program. She independently consults on these topics with several organizations. In her free time, you’ll find Erica hiking with her two German Shepherds and going on outings with Outdoor Afro Boston. Erica earned a B.S in Chemistry Education and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, both from the University of Connecticut.

Fun Fact: Erica plays ukulele, harmonica, and clarinet.

Email Erik | Connect with Erik on LinkedIn

Erik facilitates through both School and Professional Programs as well as Camp and Youth Programs at Hale. He also delivers specialized environmental programs for learners of all ages. Erik joined the Hale staff in 2015 and worked in various roles prior to joining it full time. He began his career in outdoor education over a decade ago at The Leadership School in Maine and has been passionate about outdoor education ever since. Erik currently splits his time between Maine and Massachusetts, and when he’s not at Hale, he enjoys traveling around the US by car—he has already seen 47 of the 48 mainland states, with North Dakota still on the list. Erik earned his bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University.

Email Lindsey

Bio coming soon.

Email Jake

Bio coming soon.

Email Wendy | Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn

If you wish to enroll in Hale’s programs (specifically Summer Camps, Vacation Days, and the Family & Community Program) or would like to rent a facility, there’s a good chance you’ll be helped by Wendy. She taps into her background in sales administration, customer service and registration to field general inquiries and assist with registration. Wendy and her husband live in Westwood, have two daughters in college, and a shih-tzu named Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, reading, solving jigsaw puzzles, and volunteering at Shultz Guest House (a dog shelter) in Dedham. Wendy earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College.

Fun Fact: Wendy lived in London after college and worked in a pub. Now that her children are older, more travel is definitely in the cards!

“Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.”—Alice Morse Earle

Email Sam | Connect with Sam on LinkedIn

Sam processes incoming gifts, campaign pledges, and corporate matches. She also manages Hale’s Boston Marathon team and its fundraising efforts. Sam applies her editorial skills to outgoing grant applications, newsletters, and the annual magazine; manages meetings and scheduling for our executive director and board; and maintains our database. Previously, she worked in book publishing, first at Artech House and later at America’s Test Kitchen. Before moving her career entirely indoors, she spent eight summers at Hale working her way up from gate guard to Head Water Safety Instructor. Outside Carby House, she enjoys cooking, completing crossword puzzles, listening to Taylor Swift music almost exclusively, and exploring New England beaches with her husband Alec and their kids, James and Rory. Sam earned a B.A. in English with an Irish Studies concentration from Villanova University and a graduate certificate in book publishing from the University of Denver’s Publishing Institute.

Fun Fact: Sam’s wedding cake, hair, makeup, photography—and groom—all came through Hale friendships.

“With enough butter, anything is good.”—Julia Child

Email Jackie | Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn

Jackie oversees the design and implementation of Hale’s summer camps and year-round recreational opportunities for youth. She also manages relationships with the Official Partner Camps of Hale and program delivery for Hale Outdoor Learning Adventures. Previously, she worked in recreation therapy for children and young adults with disabilities and served as the executive director of a nonprofit that provided equine therapy programs. In her spare time, Jackie is an avid runner who loves the outdoors—from marathons to New Hampshire’s 4,000-footers, she’s always finding ways to stay active and get outside (especially with her dog, Duke). She’s certified in CPR and First Aid by the American Red Cross and in Youth Mental Health First Aid; she’s also an accreditation visitor with the American Camp Association and volunteers with Special Olympics Massachusetts. Jackie earned dual B.S. degrees—one in Sport Management; another in Recreation Management— from Springfield College.

Email Shanice

Shanice facilitates through both School and Professional Programs as well as Camp and Youth Programs at Hale. She also provides specialized environmental programs for learners of all ages. Shanice joined Hale from the worlds of marketing, customer service, and retail. When she’s not at Hale, you can find her embracing her love of the arts and literature, and using her talents as a storyteller. She lives in Dorchester.

Email Heron | Connect with Heron on LinkedIn

Heron (they/she) facilitates outdoor learning and leadership opportunities for 9th–12th graders from Boston Public Schools through Intrepid Academy at Hale. They collaborate with BPS teachers on place-based academic curricula and facilitate experiential learning for students to support community building, leadership development, outdoor skills, and personal growth and reflection through connections to community and the outdoors. Heron enjoys biking, rock climbing, and swing dancing, and can often be seen cycling the roads between Hale and their home in Jamaica Plain. Heron is an alum of the Perrone-Sizer Institute for Creative Leadership, earned a B.A. in Peace and Justice Studies from Wellesley College, and an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Fun Fact: Before making a home in outdoor education, Heron taught music for six years in Boston Public Schools.

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”—William Butler Yeats

Email Lisa | Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

Lisa provides administrative leadership for the Perrone-Sizer Institute for Creative Leadership and professional programs that inspire and prepare educational leaders. She has dedicated her career to working with nonprofit organizations that serve adults and children in creative learning environments including the Center for Artistry and Scholarship, Open Circle Social Competency Program, the Center for Courage & Renewal, and Boston Children’s Museum. A painter and sculptor, she enjoys working on and with paper. She grew up in northern Vermont, has lived in Boston most of her adult life, and now resides in Roslindale with her wife. They regularly walk, hike, climb, snowshoe, ski, and otherwise enjoy New England’s diverse landscapes. Lisa earned a B.A. in Government from Smith College and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Fun Fact: While in college, Lisa volunteered as a rehabilitator of orphaned baby raccoons, modeling life skills (for example, pretending to wash and eat live frogs) to prepare them for release to the wild.

“It is a great art to saunter.”—Henry David Thoreau

Email Tyler | Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn

Tyler oversees operations at Hale, which includes Programs as well as Buildings & Grounds. His career in nonprofits began at the YMCA of Greater Boston, where he managed after-school and summer camp programs. He also worked a few part-time gigs, selling refreshments at Fenway and driving for Uber. A former college athlete, Tyler recently picked up his running shoes after a 10-year hiatus and completed the Chicago, New York City, and Boston Marathons. Outside Hale, Tyler is a lead visitor for the American Camp Association and serves on the board of directors of the Massachusetts Camping Association. When he’s not working, he can be found staying overly active, building things, exploring with his wife and two children, and slowly building a personal blog about his running journey, among other things. Tyler earned a B.S. in Sport Management with a minor in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Fun Fact: Tyler’s best friend and his wife are the stars of a new HGTV show, “Fix My Frankenhouse.”

“Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in a world all of your own.”—Albert Schweitzer

Email Joel | Connect with Joel on LinkedIn

Joel facilitates through both School and Professional Programs as well as Camp and Youth Programs at Hale. He also delivers specialized environmental programs for learners of all ages. After completing a Year Up internship as a Financial Operation student, Joel worked in the finance and health industries prior to joining Hale. He grew up with five siblings in Dorchester and still lives there today. In his spare time, you can find Joel enjoying his favorite pastimes: acting and performing music.

Email Jackie | Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn

Jackie supports Hale’s marketing efforts. She coordinates social media and develops content, edits materials, plans events, and more. Jackie joined Hale from the world of banking, where she worked for many years in marketing, communications, and education. In her spare time, you’ll find Jackie in nature with her family—she loves to travel, write, and sample new cuisine. Jackie earned a B.A. in Writing and Literature from Emmanuel College and an M.A. in English from Simmons College. She’s also licensed to teach English Language Learners in Massachusetts.

Fun Fact: Jackie loves learning languages and likes to study local languages before she travels to new places.

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”—Antoine de Saint-Exupéry