The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) has named John Babcock as its new board chair and welcomed six new trustees from diverse professional backgrounds, including business and finance, the outdoor industry, and law, adding fresh energy and perspective to its mission.

Babcock stepped into the role as the nonprofit’s new Board Chair on September 1, shortly before NOLS’ 60th Anniversary celebration and Annual State of the School.

Babcock follows Dr. N. Stuart Harris, whose “visionary leadership as chair for three years helped guide NOLS through both challenges and growth,” NOLS said in a media release.

“We are excited to announce that John Babcock will serve as the next chair of the Board of Trustees,” said Sandy Colhoun, president of NOLS. “For the past six years, John has been a steady and thoughtful partner, and I look forward to working closely with him in this new chapter. This is a moment of change, gratitude and momentum, and we’re energized to move forward with John and these extraordinary leaders shaping the future of NOLS.”

“It’s an honor to step into this role,” stated Babcock. “I’m grateful to our new trustees for joining an already strong and talented group, and I look forward to working with them, Sandy, and the entire NOLS team.”

The outdoor active lifestyle industry also sees a new addition to the NOLS Board from the industry’s ranks.

Neil Fiske, president of Black Diamond, Equipment, Ltd., has been added to the NOLS Board of Trustees.

In its profile of Fiske on its website, NOLS stated that “Fiske is responsible for accelerating growth and lifting profitability by capitalizing on attractive expansion opportunities across various categories, channels, and regions.”

Fiske joined Black Diamond in 2023 from Marquee Brands, a brand accelerator with a portfolio of 13 brands. As a CEO for almost 20 years, he has extensive experience in the outdoor, active and apparel categories, having led transformational change at Marquee Brands (including Dakine and Body Glove), Eddie Bauer, Billabong International, the Gap, and L Brands.

“An avid outdoorsman and experienced mountaineer, Fiske brings deep expertise in building brands, driving innovation, and improving operational performance,” NOLS noted.

Other newly appointed Board of Trustees Members include:

  • Bill Carr moves from the NOLS Advisory Council. He spent over 15 years with Amazon as the VP of Digital Media.
  • Joyce Choi moves from the NOLS Advisory Council. Choi has over 25 years of experience in the finance industry.
  • David Lee moves from the NOLS Advisory Council. Joining Tesla, Inc. in 2018, he serves as in-house counsel, focusing on the direct-to-consumer sales model for battery electric vehicles in North America.
  • Deane Malott moves from the NOLS Advisory Council.
  • Ethan Meers is the co-founder and managing principal of Kinship Capital, a private real estate investment firm. Prior to that, Meers was with the Related Companies and began his career with Telesis Corporation.

The NOLS Board of Trustees has 18 members. Five NOLS Board of Trustees terms ended on August 31, 2025.

New Board of Trustees Chair Babcock stated, “The NOLS community is deeply indebted to our retiring trustees for their selfless service, and I would like to thank these retiring board members for their dedication and service to the NOLS mission: Dr. N. Stuart Harris, Jimmy Chin, Jane Fried, Griffin Myers, and George Phipps.”

To learn more about NOLS, go here.

 Image courtesy High Plains Architects (pictured NOLS Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus)