A Leader, Speaker, Coach, and Author

A passionate champion for the advancement of outdoor recreation and education, Jeannette Stawski has guided rivers in Montana, led expeditions for 18-24-year old’s around the world, taught wilderness medicine courses, and ran a comprehensive university outdoor program. 

Jeannette currently serves as the Executive Director of the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, where she works with an international complement of outdoor professionals to develop and refine industry best practices and provide professional educational support.  A seasoned leader who champions change within organizations, Jeannette has a master’s degree in nonprofit administration and a bachelor’s degree in resource policy and behavior from the University of Michigan and holds Certified Association Executive [CAE] credentialing (demonstrating knowledge essential to the practice of association management).

She brings more than 25 years of experience to the organizations and individuals she works with, helping them achieve high performance through coaching, advising, and facilitation.  Jeannette has experience (personally and through coaching) across competitive athletics, nonprofit leadership, education, and corporate leadership. Jeannette also works with high potential leaders through executive coaching and can deliver keynotes and inspirational messages filled with dry wit and sharp humor, most likely some tears, and a message that makes audiences feel valued, inspired, and empowered.

Jeannette was the recipient of the 2016 Michigan Society for Association Diamond Award for Strategic Association Leader Award and has delivered various keynotes, including the Student Conservation Association, Partnership for Healthy America, Midwest Outdoor Leadership Conference, and for Army MWR.  Internationally, Jeannette has worked with the Costa Rica Tourism board to explore the cessation of a non-profit that serves the outdoor industry, and in 2018 Jeannette was invited on a two-week China speaking tour focused on the value of adventure education.  

Jeannette is the chair of the Coalition for Outdoor Access that advocates for laws and policies that support and encourage guided outdoor recreation and education activities on public lands and waters, and finished a 6-year term on the Wilderness Risk Management Conference Steering Committee.  Jeannette served the University of Michigan M Club Letterwinners Board of Directors for six years, and now volunteers for her kids' sports, or music activities. 

Jeannette’s other passions include open water swimming, sarcasm, LONG road trips, raising two teenagers, wine and chocolate.