ALEX KOSSEFF

ALEX KOSSEFF

LEADERSHIP
INDOORS & OUT

• OUTDOOR SAFETY EXPERT

• PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
• RISK CONSULTANT
• EXPERT WITNESS

LEADERSHIP
INDOORS & OUT

• OUTDOOR INDUSTRY EXPERT
• SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT
• PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

ALEX KOSSEFF

ALEX KOSSEFF

LEADERSHIP
INDOORS & OUT

• OUTDOOR SAFETY EXPERT
• PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
• RISK CONSULTANT
• EXPERT WITNESS

LEADERSHIP
INDOORS & OUT

• OUTDOOR INDUSTRY EXPERT
• SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT
• PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

About

About

I am the Executive Director of the national adaptive climbing nonprofit Paradox Sports, the former Executive Director of the American Mountain Guides Association, and the founder of the Outdoor Safety Institute. With decades of experience in outdoor leadership, risk management, and transforming nonprofits, I am dedicated to making life-changing outdoor experiences safer and more accessible.
As an experienced outdoor leader, leader of outdoor organizations, and the author of the AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership, I bring proven expertise to risk management, litigation consultation, expert witness, and program development roles. I selectively take on projects where my knowledge can make a meaningful impact.
To connect, head to the contact page.

Experience

Experience

Paradox Sports Logo

PARADOX SPORTS
Executive Director · 2024 – present

  • Lead and manage Paradox, a national nonprofit transforming lives through adaptive climbing opportunities.
  • Collaborate with the Board of Directors to define the organization’s strategic priorities and short-term objectives while leading the staff team to ensure these goals are achieved.
  • Focus areas include driving fundraising growth, enhancing the quality of programs, and increasing the representation of adaptive athletes within the organization.
  • Supervise risk management of adaptive climbing and facilitator training programs nationwide.
AMGA Logo

AMERICAN MOUNTAIN GUIDES ASSOCIATION
Executive Director · 2015 – 2023

  • Strategically advanced the mission of the AMGA, an internationally recognized 4,600-member association dedicated to professional education, standards, and advocacy.
  • Steered the association, its Board of Directors, and seventy full- and part-time staff through opportunities and challenges ranging from strategic plan development to field emergencies.
  • Proactively adapted through the COVID pandemic by offering new member services and developing innovative financial strategies to mitigate the loss of $2 million in course revenue.
  • Conceived and launched AMGA’s advocacy and policy program supporting facilitated access on public lands, personally built a partnership with The North Face to secure funding.
  • Championed the interests of guides through direct communication with members of Congress, public officials, corporate leaders, peers in outdoor non-profits, and the media.
  • Partnered with community members to initiate the AMGA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion program in October 2015, three months after starting at the association.
  • Advanced the educational quality and risk management of highly technical field education programs serving more than 2,000 participants annually.
  • Addressed international industry challenges and training standards as one of the twenty-seven member associations of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA).
  • Recipient of the 2020 “Presidents Award,” first sitting executive director to receive the association’s top honor open to non-guides.
Outdoor Safety Institute Logo

OUTDOOR SAFETY INSTITUTE
Founder & Director · 2010 – 2020

  • Founded and directed this leading risk management consultancy advising outdoor recreation, outdoor education, guiding, and conservation organizations.
  • The four-member team’s clients included Adventure Scientists, Boojum Institute, Colorado College, Colorado Mountain Club, Montana State University, Naturalists at Large, Pacific University, Sierra Club, The Mountaineers, University of Wisconsin, & Yellowstone Forever.

OUTWARD BOUND
Multiple Roles · 1996 – present

  • Staff Trainer, Safety Reviewer, Course Director, Lead Instructor, and Board Committee Member.
  • Roles with Voyageur Outward Bound, Outward Bound California, Outward Bound Mexico, and Outward Bound USA.
  • Currently volunteer on the Outward Bound USA Safety Committee of the Board.
Appalachian Mountain Club Logo

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB
Leadership & Volunteer Relations Director · 1998 – 2004

  • Supervised a team of five responsible for outdoor leadership training, risk management, adventure travel, conservation volunteerism, and relations with 14,000 chapter volunteers.
  • As the first risk manager in the organization’s 125-year history, developed risk management and leader training systems for programs with 100,000+ annual participants (1998-2000).
  • Recognized for “exemplary service” in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003.

AMC GUIDE TO OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP
Author · 2003, 2010

  • Wrote the first two editions of this top-selling book.
  • 4.8 star rating on amazon.com based on 55 reviews (2nd edition, August 2023)
  • “A thorough, field-tested examination of what makes the best outdoor leaders . . . and how one of them could be you” —Robert Birkby, author of the Boy Scout Handbook, Mountain Madness, and Lightly on the Land
  • “The AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership is an excellent resource for wilderness leaders new and old. Kosseff does a superb job of identifying the most important topics leaders should consider. His writing is clear and his recommended practices are consistent with industry standards. This is a well-written, enjoyable leadership resource that will be valuable to anyone responsible for leading trips in the outdoors.” —Dan Garvey, President, Prescott College (1st edition review)

Services

Services

01. RISK MANAGEMENT & INCIDENT RESPONSE

Deeply experienced outdoor risk manager available for proactive projects as well as crisis response and incident review roles.

02. LITIGATION CONSULTANT & EXPERT WITNESS

Ethically principled consultant and witness with experience working with both plaintiffs’ and defense counsel. Also available to recruit outdoor experts with relevant expertise.

03. PROGRAM & SITE DEVELOPMENT

Conceptualization and implementation of outdoor education, recreation, or guiding programs. Planning and development of recreation sites, including climbing areas and climbing routes.

More

More

OUTDOOR EDUCATOR
Since 1992, I have been passionate about bringing others into the outdoors. I have taught rock, alpine, and ice climbing, outdoor leadership, risk management, wilderness medicine, backpacking, canoeing, and more, allowing professionals and recreationists to develop competence in the outdoors.
INDUSTRY EXPERT
With decades as an outdoor professional, author, consultant, and organizational leader, I am a recognized outdoor safety and risk management authority. I have advised and trained over 100 organizations and served as a litigation consultant and expert witness.
CARING LEADER
The first edition of my book, the AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership, introduced a caring leadership model that has guided my work in strengthening the outdoor recreation and education industry. This relationship-centered approach has proven effective for over two decades across organizational leadership, risk management, and outdoor leadership roles.
BOARD MEMBER

Expanding outdoor access and protecting wild spaces is vital. That’s why I’ve served on boards and committees for the National Science Foundation, Outward Bound USA, Montana Wilderness School, Access Fund, Wild Bear Nature Center, and Winter Wildlands Alliance.

Contact

Contact

LET’S TALK

I look forward to hearing from you!

Homepage Image: Michael Allen Visuals