meetings with brands. Some of them eventually go and work for those brands.”
The Futurist Project
Born from the Outdoor Industry Association’s now-shuttered Skip Yowell Leader- ship Academy, the Futurist Project convenes young standouts from a range of outdoor industry manufacturers, nonprofits, and retailers. The aim, says co-founder Carrie Watson, is to drive real change within the industry by training the next generation of leaders to be more thoughtful, inclusive, and professional. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance shops have sent participants to the Futurist Project since its inception, and this year they have formalized the partnership by providing a space for the six-month program’s capstone event and graduation in Kansas City. Grassroots is also currently providing scholarships to supplement tuition for two class members from two of its member retailers. “That sponsorship is really special,” says Watson, and a huge benefit for the pro- gram. “No one understands the end consumer better than the retail participants. They have so much to teach the group.” As for the retail participants, they get the same leadership training the others get: conflict resolution, how to inspire co-workers, how to think strategically, and also get a glimpse into the larger outdoor industry ecosystem. “It’s absolutely energizing,” says Peyton Short, a 2024 Futurist participant and buyer at Pack Rat Outdoor Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. “This industry has career options I never considered before the Futurist Project, and now I have the contacts to explore them if that’s where I want to take it.” Current Class Members who Work for Grassroots Stores: Kyla Basher, Peak Sports, Corvallis, Oregon; Emma Littman, Roads Rivers and Trails, Milford, Ohio; Peyton Short, Pack Rat Outdoor Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas Alumni: Carrie Watson, Outside Looks, Owner, inaugural class of Skip Yowell Future Leaders Academy, Class of 2016; Dana Howe, VP Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, Skip Yowell Future Leaders Academy Alumni, Class of 2017; Adam Higinbothom, Outdoor Cap Company, Skip Yowell Future Leaders Academy, Class of 2018, ; Maggie Perrault, Event Relations Manager, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, Futurists Project, Class of 2022; Christian Baumeister, COROS International Sales Manager, Futurists Project, Class of 2023
The Community Gathering Place
Allen and Mohr both have also recommended associates to the Futurist Project, the six-month training and mentorship pro- gram aimed at creating cohorts of emerging leaders for the outdoor industry (see sidebar). Both want to help their young employees become future lead- ers, building professional skills as well as connections. Such connections are what led Sven Shiers to his current role as Patagonia’s sales man- ager from a winter-season gig as a sales associate at beloved western-Pennsylvania retail- er Nestor’s. After a stint in the Marines, Shiers liked his season at Nestor’s enough that he stayed a decade, ascending to outdoor category manager. He was eventually invited by one of the independent reps he worked with to join their
14 GRASSROOTS STORIES
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