In her 20-year career in the outdoor industry, Kyla Basher has worn many hats. She’s been a guide, worked with non-profit organizations, and helped launch nature programs for kids. As the manager of Peak Sports, an outdoor specialty store in Corvallis, OR, her duties include “buyer” and “leadership support.”

Despite her varied experience, Basher entered her late 30s unsure whether any of those job hats really fit her. Basher’s working life didn’t inspire her, and she wondered if her past and present roles aligned with her skills and passion. “I needed to get some stimulation in my career,” says Basher. “I was looking for something structured and learning-oriented to help me.”

The Leadership Academy

In the spring of 2024, she applied to participate in The Futurist Project Leadership Academy, a six-month course that teaches leadership, communication skills, and strategic thinking to help people grow as professionals and pursue goals.

The Futurist Project receives hundreds of applications for its Leadership Academy each year and accepts 32 to 35 people. “We choose people from every sector of the outdoor industry,” says Stasia Walker, who helped found The Futurist Project in 2021. “We have retail salespeople, directors of non-profit organizations, and people in marketing and finance.”

It costs $5,800 to attend the Leadership Academy (scholarships are available), and applicants should have at least three years of working experience in the industry.

The program begins with an in-person gathering, during which participants are paired with mentors, who are company CEOs and presidents and people in sales, marketing, and public relations.

After the in-person gathering, participants complete three months of online coursework that includes training in diversity, equity, and inclusion, sustainability advocacy, and leadership development.

As participants complete their coursework (about 10 hours of work each week) and interact with mentors and classmates, they learn more about the wide range of jobs available in the outdoor industry.

For the final three months of the program, students split into teams of five to work on Capstone Projects, where they partner with non-profit organizations. Bashers group has just begun its Capstone Project working with the Outdoor Diversity Alliance. “We’re going to provide a go-to-market strategy for marketing,” says Basher. “We’ll enhance their website and help them launch social media.”

Walker says the Capstone Projects help participants learn to navigate real-life scenarios where they work with team members who might be very different from themselves. “This type of training fills a hole in our industry,” says Walker, explaining that many companies are not offering employees professional development training.

So far, about 300 people have gone through the Leadership Academy, and graduates have seen tangible results. “So many of them are promoted quickly after this and have moved up in their positions or gotten some great opportunities,” says Walker.

A Sense of Community

While the Leadership Academy can hone a person’s job skills, it offers many other benefits, including networking opportunities. “It’s amazing how many connections and friendships you’re going to make,” says Basher. “You feel like you’ve gained an entire community and group of people you can reach out to.”

This sense of belonging is especially valuable for young people in the industry. Due to the dwindling trade show scene and disappearance of gatherings like dealer outings, young workers have few chances to mingle with employees of other companies.

“There’s quite a vast network that’s not really at your fingertips without introduction and without some personal connection,” says Basher.

Young outdoor professionals are not only seeking connections but also financial stability.

“A lot of things in the industry are causing young people to feel anxious,” says Basher, pointing to the rising cost of living and rounds of unexpected layoffs.

By networking, building their skills, and increasing their industry knowledge, young workers are better equipped to navigate a swiftly changing business landscape.

New Programs

The outdoor market has seen remarkable changes in recent years, from the pandemic to tradeshow upheaval to iconic stores closing their doors. In July 2024, the industry received the disappointing news that Camber Outdoors was shuttering operations. Founded in 1996 as the Outdoor Industry Women’s Coalition, the organization provided mentoring and professional development for women and other underrepresented groups in the industry.

Realizing that Camber Outdoors offered important services, The Futurist Project plans to launch a three-month online program for women.

The organization is also rolling out a three-month online program for retailers, including leadership and retail operations training. “If retailers see that they can have a career in the industry, and we get them excited, that’s such a win,” says Walker. “Those people are the bread and butter of our industry.”

For Basher, the Leadership Academy has provided the spark she sought in her career. “The program has really helped me as I try to figure out what’s next and where I go from here,” she says.

As Basher contemplates her professional future, the outdoor industry is searching for its own path forward. In the process, businesses should encourage employees to apply for Leadership Academy, says Basher, noting, “This is one of the primary programs that is going to help navigate the next steps in the outdoor industry.”