We are thrilled to announce that Elena Hein joined Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS) as our new Development Director this month. Elena has been serving as our Interim Development Director and has already reshaped our development priorities in positive and impactful ways. Read below to learn more about Elena’s background and connection to NWOBS.
What is your professional background?
I have spent most of my career working to advance social justice in my community. I am a first generation college student who worked full time while going to college because my family didn’t have the resources to send me to school. When I completed my associate degree, I transferred to the University of Oregon. My goal was to become a middle school Spanish teacher where I could encourage young people to learn about Hispanic culture. I was excited to embrace my heritage. After college, I left the country to teach English in Ecuador. Unfortunately, my time was cut short because I didn’t feel safe (long story– riots, politics, breathing tear gas). When I got back (not feeling ready for graduate school), I needed to work. That’s when I fell into my career in the nonprofit sector. Honestly, I didn’t even really know what a nonprofit (or multiple sclerosis) was back then. But pretty early on, I realized it was the right fit for me. I have worked professionally to support fundraising efforts ever since (National MS Society, OR Chapter; Children’s Relief Nursery; Portland Playhouse; College Possible; and now Northwest Outward Bound School). While working full time, I also earned my Master in Public Administration at Portland State University.
What is your connection to Outward Bound’s mission “changing lives through challenge and discovery?”
I’m not a religious person but there is something spiritual about being in nature. And while I haven’t personally experienced an Outward Bound expedition, I did attend Outdoor School in the sixth grade. That week away from home left a deep impact on me. I love that Outward Bound encourages young people to get out of their comfort zones, embrace the unknown, and experience the wilderness with a group of their peers. I want more young people to have access to these kinds of opportunities.
What is your connection to the Pacific Northwest?
I’ve lived here nearly my whole life. We moved north from California the summer before I started elementary school so my dad could start a job with Intel. While I’ve lived out of the country a couple of times (and Eugene for college), I’ve mostly lived here in Portland. I love how close we are to nature – woods, rivers, lakes, beaches, mountains…
Outside of work, what do you like to do with your free time?
I am Tia to five nieces and two nephews– three of whom live within a mile of me. We spend a lot of time together. When I’m not with the kids (ages 5, 6, 9), I like to listen to audiobooks and podcasts while hiking or make jewelry. I am a member of ninety-nine girlfriends and serve on the grants steering committee (and chair the outreach team). I also enjoy yoga, kayaking, camping, glamping/yurts, backpacking, seeing live music (especially outdoor concerts in the summer), travel, and snowshoeing to fire lookouts with friends.
Equity work is core to your passion and connection for NWOBS. How do you hope to engage in that work at NWOBS?
I am excited to help Northwest Outward Bound School advance its equity work. As a Latina, I want my BIPOC friends and family to feel like they belong in wilderness spaces and they are safe. There are many funders who want to invest in programs that are making progress in the area of equity and inclusion. I am eager to connect these supporters to this work so more young people from under-resourced communities can participate in our programs.
How does the Outward Bound community inspire you?
Since the first day I started in July in an interim role, I’ve been inspired by the people who are connected to Outward Bound. I’m impressed by my colleagues’ dedication to our students and look forward to meeting more of the Outward Bound family (students, field staff, volunteers, donors, community partners) in 2024!