Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS) instructors are outdoor professionals, highly trained in both technical and interpersonal skills. All instructors are certified Wilderness First Responders. This intensive certification takes 70 hours to complete and is recognized by medical and outdoor fields worldwide. Additionally, all of our staff are required to have Federal and State background checks.
All POBS programs—whether a 14-day expedition or a daylong team-building program—are staffed with experienced Lead Instructors. Becoming a Lead Instructor requires many seasons of demonstrating consistent and excellent group facilitation, exceptional safety and risk management, and extensive trainings.

Instructor
Korleki Akiti
Instructor

Center Based Faculty Instructor
Rob Bonner
Center Based Faculty Instructor

Expedition & Center-Based Faculty Instructor
Opal Bednarik
Expedition & Center-Based Faculty Instructor

Instructor
Aaron Bonfante
Instructor

Instructor
Laura Caldwell
Instructor

Expedition Faculty Instructor
Ritam Chakraborty
Expedition Faculty Instructor

Instructor
Madhumita Chandra
Instructor

Instructor
Richard Chieffo
Instructor

Instructor
Mara Dajevskis
Instructor

Instructor
Joe DeRita
Instructor

Instructor
Sacha Donovan
Instructor

Expedition Program Coordinator
Olive Fine
Expedition Program Coordinator

Instructor
Braham Gairola
Instructor

Assistant Instructor
Marta Geilfuss
Assistant Instructor

Instructor
Fran Hammond
Instructor

Instructor
Nick Hazell
Instructor

Media Consultant
Becca Hesselink
Media Consultant

Instructor
Lee Kiszonas
Instructor

Center-Based Faculty Instructor
Jeffrey Ladnier
Center-Based Faculty Instructor

Instructing Trainer
Red Malleck
Instructing Trainer

Instructor
Nomi Martin-Brouillette
Instructor

Instructor
Philip Mattes
Instructor

Instructor
Sam Neiger
Instructor

Center Based Faculty Instructor
Bridget O’Hara
Center Based Faculty Instructor

Instructor
Bob Prachar
Instructor

Instructor
Morghan Robinson
Instructor

Instructor
Sheetal Shelke
Instructor

Instructor
Madeline Troyer
Instructor