Slay Risk is an education and risk advisory.

ABOUT US

We help schools and outdoor programs:

Gain Clarity

01

by understanding how risks show up
and knowing what to do about it.

Build Capability

02

by increasing abilities to take ownership and prepare for what’s next.

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By providing clarity and building capabilities, we help programs stay relevant to the people and places they serve.

As professionals, most of us learned how to design programs and manage risk based on what was modeled to us as young participants and field staff.

But our field has grown. It is global, and the landscapes in which programs operate are changing. Increased clarity and capabilities are needed to meet today’s challenges while also planning for tomorrow.

Slay Risk brings experience and research-informed solutions to help clients professionalize their practice.

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MEET STUART SLAY

Founder and Director

Nature and travel experiences have had a profound impact on me. Program experiences led me to my tribe and helped shape my personal values.

My professional journey started in the field as an instructor and guide. I trained and worked as an avalanche forecaster, directed outdoor education programs at an international school, and led national-level risk management work at a U.S. non-profit organization.

Along the way, I became drawn to deeper questions, like:

  • What drives people’s safety behavior?

  • How does culture shape risk?

  • How can we change the context in which risk is managed?

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Eventually, I went to graduate school to study systems-based risk assessment and how cultural factors influence safety work. There, I discovered what we can learn from other safety-critical and caring fields, and how to intentionally design safer and more effective programs.

Today, I work with international schools, camps, outdoor activity providers, and mission-driven organizations all over the world.

I help these organizations build and expand programs, understand and address vulnerabilities, and manage risk so they can continue delivering on their missions.

  • • Founding Member - Wilderness Climate Action Lab

    • Chair - Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) Steering Committee

    • Accreditation Reviewer - Association for Experiential Education (AEE)

    • International Baccalaureate

    • American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education

    • American Avalanche Association

    • National Ski Patrol

    • American Mountain Guides Association

    • J. Jackson, S. Slay, & S. L. Tarter. (2024). Climate Change Impact on Outdoor Organizations Today. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, Volume 36, Issue 1.

    • S. Slay, D. Mitten, C. Dallat. (2024). A Cultural Risk Assessment of Led Outdoor Activities. Coalition for Education Outdoors Research Symposium. Ashville, NC.

    • S. Slay. (2023). What’s Next? 30 Years of the WRMC. Adventure Risk Research Symposium. Portland, OR.

    • B. Madden & S. Slay. (2023). Exploring the Impact of Wildfires on Outdoor Adventure Programs. Adventure Risk Research Symposium. Portland, OR.

    • S. Slay. (2022). Towards Global Inclusion & Belonging. in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Field Guide. Eds. Rita Yerkes, Denise Mitten, Karren Warren. Association for Experiential Education.

    • C. Dallat, D. Mitten, D, Ajango, S. Slay. (2022). What about Us? Second Victims in Outdoor Education Programs. Ambleside, UK.

    • D. Mitten, C. Dallat, S. Slay, D, Ajango. (2022). Impact of Serious Incidents on Practitioners: Early data summary. Burlington, VT.

    • S. Slay & D. Mitten. (2021). Literature Review: Cultural factors’ influence on risk. Symposium for Experiential Education Research.

    • S. Slay. (2020). How Cultural Perceptions Influence Risk: A cultural risk assessment. Prescott College.

    • S. Slay. (2020). Ten Guiding Principles for Transference of Outdoor Education for the Betterment of Society (J. Lee. Trans.). Ediun News. Seoul, South Korea.

    • S. Slay, C. Dallat, D. Mitten, P. Salmon. (2020). Transcending Paradigms: A cultural risk assessment. Adventure Risk Research Symposium.

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I also write, research, and speak about outdoor education and risk management. I share insights that support the people doing this work and the organizations they serve.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT MY WORK

I love what I do. And I love working with good people and organizations that do important work.