PE - Key Persons
Originally from Southern California, Alisa is an undergraduate at Cornell University, exploring all that Ithaca has to offer with all of its four seasons. Throughout grade school, she found her passion for running - participating in Cross Country and completing 5 L.A. Marathons. Alisa would love to explore Ithaca's gorges and waterfalls a lot more during her time in Ithaca. She is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science and working with Cornell's Outdoor Education Program.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Trainer
- Lead Facilitator, Former Director of Cornell Team & Leadership Center
Amy Kohut has been a manager, trainer, and consultant for experience-based programs for over 30 years, and has worked for top-rated organizations such as Outward Bound and Project Adventure. She has been offering Leadership Coaching since 2011 and is a certified facilitator/trainer for the EQi 2.0 Emotional Intelligence suite of assessment tools. Amy received the Excellence in Training and Consulting Award for Creative Leadership in the Art of Facilitation from Project Adventure, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Climbing Program Coordinator
Believing that experience is the best way to learn, Andrew likes to jump in feet first. He has been backpacking since he couldn't carry a helpful load and started to experience the snow bundled in a pulk behind his parents. While studying Geological Sciences at University of Oregon, he fell in love with rock climbing and has worked in challenge course and industrial rope access settings so that he can look out on beautiful scenery with great people ever since.
A true local, Ben grew up in the hills surrounding Ithaca, but it wasn't until his senior year at Cornell, 1997, that he became involved with COE. Ben quickly resolved to make up for lost time and started by being a teaching assistant for basic rock climbing. He now teaches climbing, mountain biking, trail running, backpacking, sea kayaking, caving, and cross-country skiing. As Outfitting Manager, Ben manages course issue, and student and public rentals. Ben is also in charge of COE's Wilderness Medicine program.
Benjamin Mumford-Zisk grew up in Ithaca NY. He attended the University of Buffalo where he received a BA in English. Since 2018 Ben has worked with the Cornell Team and Leadership Center. He enjoys rock climbing, biking and rowing. He also likes the smell of dirt, water, and trees. He dislikes the smell of fast food restaurants, most perfumes and enormous box-store parking lots in summer. The book that best describes him is, distressingly, Ferdinand the Bull.
Carol James has been an experiential educator for over twenty years, originally working with adjudicated youth at Outward Bound in Florida. She has been a program director for Outward Bound in Boston and a long-time consultant with Project Adventure, teaching professionals in areas of technical skills training, therapeutic skills, and consulting on organizational change around behavior management.
Carol is originally from California. She enjoys spending time outdoors and biking, which goes along well with her focus at Cornell University, which is on Environment and Sustainability. Carol also works with the Latino Studies Program and she is a member of the Pep Band.
Bode grew up out in the mountains of Washington State. He did his undergrad at the University of Redlands in Southern California where he found his love for Outdoor Leadership. In his Junior year there he switched from Pre-Med to Environmental Science and Psychology. He took a break after undergrad to lead trips full time getting to play in around 20 US states, 4 Canadian provinces, Central and South America. After a few years he went back for his Masters in Environmental and Outdoor Education at SUNY Cortland.
Job Titles:
- Land Programs Coordinator
Born and raised in Ithaca, Chris spent his summers working at camps along Cayuga Lake. After college (BA in psychology) Chris started working for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. Chris found his passion instructing 30 day wilderness courses with adjudicated students in the scenic, but hot, humid, and buggy swamps of Florida. Chris accumulated over 1800 field days as an Instructor and Course Director from Florida to Maine and stops in between. Along the way Chris has earned two Masters Degrees from two different institutions (MA Educational Administration, MS Recreation Administration). Chris has also coauthored a chapter on Outdoor Education with Dr. Tom Smith. In March, 2013 Chris was appointed to the Board of Advisors for Outward Bound USA. Previous to his current position with COE Chris was the Lead Facilitator for the Cornell Team and Leadership Center. When not working Chris can often be found baking bread or helping out at the local farmers market.
Job Titles:
- Lead Facilitator
- Professional Certified Coach
Christa Downey is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) who is on a mission to support organizations and their leaders to bring their BOLDEST visions to reality toward a healthier, more equitable, more sustainable world. She feels most alive when she is on the water, swimming or paddling, or when surrounded by trees, backpacking or snowshoeing. She enjoys challenging herself through running, triathlons, and ice hockey and appreciates the connection between the physical and mental.
Corinne Eisenman has contributed to the field of experiential education for 30 years. She has worked with teams in many capacities: as facilitator, leader, consultant, and coach. As a key member of leadership teams for both private and non-profit organizations, she has specialized in helping teams build foundational trust and communication. She believes that creating connections - to self, team, and purpose - lays the groundwork for insight and transformation. Corinne has facilitated teambuilding and leadership development programs for both domestic and international groups.
Job Titles:
- Lead Facilitator, Former Director of Cornell Outdoor Education
Dan Tillemans served as second director of Cornell Outdoor Education, from 1984 to 1999. Dan significantly grew the program with the additions of the Lindseth Climbing Wall, Phillips Outdoor Program Center, and Hoffman Challenge Course. Dan lives in Ithaca and in addition to being a senior consultant for professional groups and leadership, he still regularly facilitates and leads programs for COE. The endowed Tillemans Director of Cornell Team & Leadership Center position was funded in honor of Dan's 15 years of COE Leadership.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Dean of Students
Originally from Alexandria, VA, Elizabeth came to Cornell Outdoor Education all the way from California. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism at Radford University. She holds a current ACCT Level 2 Facilitator Certification and has worked in the outdoor education and experiential learning industry for nearly a decade. Elizabeth enjoys skydiving, rafting, backpacking, and climbing up trees.
Emmett Mitterando, a part-time student in Outdoor Recreation at the nearby SUNY community college, has continued to further his education through in person experiences facilitating CTLC programs and instructing snowboard, rock climbing, and backpacking classes. In working with the adaptive ski program at a nearby mountain, Emmett wishes to increase his repertoire in instructing participants of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds in new outdoor experiences.
Fedinard is a Computer Science major with a minor in Business. Originally from Ghana, he enjoys painting, playing video games, and sports. He is passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Student Coordinator
Gavin is originally from South Carolina. He is majoring in Math and studying Computer Science and Japanese at Cornell University. As part of the Cornell Outdoor Education staff team, Gavin shares an interest in leadership and team dynamics.
Job Titles:
- Summer Super Lead Facilitator
Jamie started indoor rock climbing in 1999 and since then, she has had some amazing vertical adventures, including being a part of a bat relocation project in Arkansas. Jamie has been with Cornell Outdoor Education since 2017. At COE, Jamie has taught everything from basic rock climbing to tree climbing. In 2018 Jamie joined the Cornell Team and Leadership Center and she has been the Super Lead Facilitator since 2022.
Job Titles:
- Lindseth Climbing Center Manager
Josh's roundabout route to COE includes work as a graphic designer, camp counselor, woodworker, produce clerk, and customer service manager, not necessarily in that order and sometimes all at once. Although he has always loved adventuring, it wasn't until his boss took him to the Gunks in 2003 that climbing became a focus of his energy. These days, Josh is always itching to get off the ground, but will happily give you a belay if you ask.
Joy Rutt is originally from Lancaster, PA, and came to Ithaca for college. She received her BS in Outdoor Adventure Leadership and Clinical Health Studies from Ithaca College, and is currently a graduate student in the Physical Therapy department. Joy has been involved with COE since the fall of 2020, and has enjoyed teaching day hiking, backpacking, and working in Outfitting as a Wizard. She has a passion for creating a space on the course that fosters authentic learning and seeing people challenge themselves.
Job Titles:
- Lindseth Co - Director of Cornell Outdoor Education, the Dan Tillemans Director, Cornell Team & Leadership Center
Karel joined COE in 2016, coming directly from his native Puerto Rico. From there, he designed and delivered hundreds of challenge course programming, outdoor adventure education courses, and leadership & team development workshops for over 20 years to groups across the Americas and the world.
Laura is thrilled to support people on their personal growth journeys through engagement with the outdoors and facing novel challenges with CTLC. She has over a decade of experience leading and working on wildlife research teams around the world including in the Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona, wetlands in Ontario, Canada, and in southeastern Australia. Laura has BS from Cornell, MEd from the University of Arizona, and a PhD from Virginia Tech.
Maddie has been working with the Cornell Team and Leadership Center since 2018. She has a background in Environmental and Outdoor Education from SUNY Cortland.
Marcus comes to us from New York City where he earned both his Bachelors degree and MBA from Columbia University. He uniquely combines his formal business skill sets in leadership, organizational development, entrepreneurship, strategy and finance with his deep passion for human development through the great outdoors and experiential learning. He is an accomplished wilderness guide having lead international trips to destinations as far away as Kilimanjaro. Marcus holds an AMGA-CWI and EMT certification.
Job Titles:
- Lindseth Co - Director of Cornell Outdoor Education
Mark considers himself an honorary Ithaca local. Originally from NH, Mark came to Cornell for graduate studies in Chemistry. While he did eventually graduate, Mark spent a good deal of his early years in Ithaca teaching rock climbing and skiing for COE. In October 2001, Mark finally decided to follow his heart and teach outdoor education full time.
Job Titles:
- Challenge Course Coordinator
Matt Kager has been leading outdoor adventures for over twenty years. He has been a lead facilitator for CTLC since 2015. Matt enjoys paddling, hiking, sailing, skiing, snorkeling, fishing, games of any kind! Matt holds many certifications including facilitation for the EQi 2.0 Emotional Intelligence suite of assessment tools. He is passionate about bringing people together and motivating groups to work in unity.
Norm is a highly seasoned facilitator and leadership educator. Formerly a faculty member with The Sanctuary Institute and Ithaca College, Norm is currently an independent trainer and a Senior Facilitator for the Energy Project, an organization that works to create professional workspaces that are healthier, happier, more focused and more purposeful.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President for Student & Campus Life
Follow Vice President Ryan Lombardi on Instagram - @vp_lombardi(link is external)
Originally from Michigan, Sandy holds a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and a Master's degree in Biomechanics, both from Michigan State University. She came to COE with a long history in outdoor education through summer camps where she worked on the waterfront and led numerous trips backpacking and paddling with teens, eventually going on to becoming a camp director. Her experiences with youth outdoors led to a passion for helping people master new skills, experience nature and learn more about themselves in the process.
Job Titles:
- Developer
- Lead Facilitator
Sarah Highland is a talented educator and truly a developer in many forms! Facilitating with CTLC since 2011, Sarah has made herself a scholar of experiential education and facilitation, and diligently mentors our staff each summer. When she is not in Ithaca, she is a boatbuilding instructor at the Carpenter's Boat Shop in Pemaquid, Maine, and is the founder and principal of Highland Artisan, an educational home-building and timber-framing organization.
Job Titles:
- Leadership Program Coordinator
Sylvie started working with Cornell's Team and Leadership Center at the age of 15. Since then she has worked as an outdoor adventure guide for the Claremont Colleges in California, a rock climbing instructor in Colorado, a bicycle tour guide in New Zealand and the Northeastern USA, a mountain instructor for the North Carolina Outward Bound School. Bicycling, canoeing, backpacking, rock climbing and organic farming are Sylvie's primary outdoor activities.
She holds a Wilderness First Responder Certification and she's a League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor.
Originally from the SF Bay Area, Tiff came to Cornell University for a PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics. She mastered out of her PhD program, fell in love with Ithaca and stayed after graduation. She is a Wilderness EMT and was previously the fire chief of the Varna Volunteer Fire Company. In her spare time, she enjoys rock climbing and dragon boating.