About
The risk landscape for outdoor programs is changing.
As the world changes, the experiences programs provide are more needed than ever.
Society's expectations for trust and safety in organizations and institutions are changing. Algorithms are shaping our decisions in ways we don't always see, and the digital world is changing how people relate to themselves and others. Social isolation is on the rise, and attention spans are shrinking.
As a society, we have an unhealthy relationship with nature. Climate change is impacting programs' ability to operate and threatening the viability of many organizations.
It's no wonder, then, that people are less willing to accept risk for personal development and growth.
These factors are affecting who shows up to programs and what they need. But they're also the reason outdoor programming is more important today and should be even more relevant in education and to people's wellbeing in the future. Many outdoor programs are founded on fostering healthy relationships with the self, others, and the environment. Risk is at the center of building those relationships.
Risk management isn't just what programs do, it's what they teach.
Good risk management enables those benefits while remaining attentive and responsive to changing risk tolerance and risk perceptions.
Safety leaders in these organizations see how these changes affect programming firsthand. They see them in their operations, in their participants, and in the expectations of parents and staff. But the way safety work is designed in most organizations makes it hard for that perspective to have the influence it should.
Slay Risk seeks to support programs and our field.
Thoughtfully designed organizations and programs reach more people, and a more professional field is a more resilient field, which serves tomorrow's needs better.
About Stuart Slay
While speaking at a conference, I remarked how isolating risk management work can be. Afterward, colleagues approached me to share how much my comment resonated with them. In turn, I found that their responses validated own experiences. This insight underpins my work at Slay Risk, where I focus on helping reduce isolation by supporting already capable leaders to wield their influence, and either move the needle or lead transformational change at their organization.
I have led risk management and program design work in schools and nonprofits, including risk management strategy, emergency and crisis planning, policy development, and program oversight. These experiences help me understand the demands placed on safety leaders and the organizational factors that shape their work. I contribute to the sector through writing and original research, speaking at conferences, and collaborating with other industry leaders on emerging issues such as climate change and psychosocial issues. I also serve as an Accreditation Reviewer for the Association for Experiential Education.
My academic background is in outdoor leadership and instruction, and my Master’s degree heavily informs my professional work. I hold an MA in Adventure Education with a focus on systems-based risk assessment for international programs. I have professional training in avalanche forecasting and operations, crisis management, organizational culture, the International Baccalaureate program, teaching, and executive coaching. These experiences shape the perspective I bring to my consulting and coaching work.
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The blog examines how culture shapes risk management, applies safety science to educational contexts, and explores the practical challenges of safety leadership.