2026 South Sound Leadership Conference Sessions
We are excited to offer two in-person days of professional development - one in Seattle and one in Tacoma - dedicated to thanking, inspiring, and empowering The Mountaineers current and aspiring volunteer leaders. Both conferences will offer equivalent content, with a similar line-up of presenters, expanding our reach and giving volunteers the flexibility to select the program that is most convenient for them. Join us at one of our Leadership Conferences!
Presenters
- Click here to view a list of the South Sound Leadership Conference presenters.
Session tracks
A series of interactive sessions will explore the many facets of leadership through our two session tracks:
- Tactical Decisions: Delve into strategies and best practices for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks through expert insights.
- Sustainable Impact: Discover more about the public lands and wildlife that we enjoy and how to learn from and protect them.
Breakout Sessions
9:15-10:15AM
Psychological First Aid for Mountaineers
KATJA HURT | The Great Hall
Tactical Decisions Track
Come learn the fundamentals of supporting someone through a crisis
using psychological first aid. This course provides an introduction to Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and includes recognizing the signs/symptoms of stress injuries and how to respond when someone experiences a traumatic event. This training is appropriate for all levels of experience, from professional responders to caring community members.
The Power of Giving Back: Where Leadership Meets Stewardship
COURTENAY SCHURMAN | Upstairs Classroom
Sustainable Impact Track
Leadership in the outdoors is about more than reaching a summit—it’s about creating experiences that are safe, fun, and successful for everyone in the group. When we bring stewardship into leadership, we extend that same spirit of care to the trails, lands, and communities that make our adventures possible. In this session, we’ll explore how small choices by each leader can inspire a culture of giving back that strengthens both our community and the wild places we love.
10:30-11:30AM
Defending Public Lands: Grassroots Advocacy for Outdoor Leaders
MOUNTAINEERS CONSERVATION & ADVOCACY TEAM | Upstairs Classroom
Sustainable Impact Track
During a challenging time for our lands, waters, and climate, outdoor leaders have a critical role to play in advocacy. Staff on The Mountaineers conservation team will share timely updates on emerging threats to public lands and how we’re responding. Join us to connect and learn how to use your platform as a leader to take your outdoor advocacy to the next level. Together, we can make strides to build back the federal land manager workforce and keep public lands in public hands.
12:30-1:00PM
Land Acknowledgement
RACHEL HEATON | The Great Hall
Go beyond basic land acknowledgements, as you learn about building relationship with the land with Rachel Heaton.
1:15PM-2:15PM
Risk ManaGEMENT From A Mountain Rescue Perspective
DR. DENNIS ELLER | The Great Hall
Tactical Decisions Track
Risk management in the outdoors looking at the impacts from a Mountain Rescue Technician’s perspective. Analyzing steps and actions that should be taken before, during, and after a trip. Discussing impactors that affect decision making, reporting, and assessing risks as a trip leader or a participant. Those attending will walk away with ideas on how to create their own checklists for risk assessments, discussion of various rescue scenarios, and what could have prevented them- with a focus on our PNW region from the viewpoint of a Mountain rescue and guide specialist in our region.
Guardians of Life
KILIII YUYAN | Upstairs Classroom
Sustainable Impact Track
In this breakout session Kilii Yuyan will be drawing from his book Guardians of Life: Indigenous Science, Indigenous Wisdom and Restoring the Planet, in which Kiliii takes readers on an extraordinary visual odyssey--from the Amazon rainforest to Greenland's sea ice--revealing Indigenous communities as Earth's most powerful protectors.
This stunning volume, published by Braided River, is powered by the collective wisdom of more than two dozen Indigenous voices, including activist Quannah Chasinghorse and Palauan statesman Tommy Remengesau Jr. Their expertise is brought forward through National Geographic photojournalist Kiliii Yüyan's striking imagery, the editorial mastery of bestselling author (1491) Charles Mann, and writer Gleb Raygorodetsky's insights.
Together, this collection of powerful images and stories proves how traditional knowledge and modern innovation unite to safeguard the planet. Learn about profound stewardship in action: from Mongolia's sacred peaks to Palau’s coral reefs, where ancient wisdom drives cutting-edge conservation.