MEMBER UPDATES

December 22, 2025

What this year has taught us is that commitment to positive change is still present in the outdoor industry. Starting the year off with threats and pushback around DEI was heavy, but our members remained steadfast in their commitment to the work of change. And for that, we are grateful. 

2025 YEAR IN REVIEW

From virtual and in-person gatherings to working groups, our members were there, not with all the answers but with enthusiasm to learn and share their knowledge. And that's what it takes to push this work forward, showing up, even without all the answers.  Showing up as a collective, knowing that we are flawed at times, and staying committed throughout it all. 

Here's a look at what we accomplished together this year: 

  • Navigating the DEI Backlash: We helped business leaders navigate the DEI backlash by hosting and sharing webinars with legal experts, sharing timely articles, and compiling practical resources for easy reference.

  • Building Confidence: We supported outdoor companies and individuals engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion work for the first time—helping them move through initial hesitation toward confidence and sustained engagement.

  • Centering Community Voices:  We engaged Community Advisors as a vital part of shaping our work through program development, working group involvement, and virtual and in-person events.

  • The Business Case for Diversity in the Outdoor Industry:  The revised Business Case brings together expert research, macro trends, and demographic data showing that investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s good for business. Read the business case here.

  • Strengthening Community and Growing Membership:  We welcomed KEEN as our first Catalyst Member and expanded ODA membership by adding five new companies: Patagonia, Cabot Hosiery Mills (Darn Tough), Switchback, Bonfire Collective, and Aspen One. We became an approved 1% for the Planet partner, welcomed new Community Advisors, and collaborated with OutsidePR, Outdoor Media Summit, and Switchback.

  • Addressing Root Causes:  We started digging into the root causes of systemic issues and charting a path forward for systems-level change through ODA Working Groups. translated existing research and best practices into practical applications for the outdoor industry. 

    • The Fair Play in Partnerships Working Group is creating a resource for Brands and Partners (athletes, ambassadors, and influencers) that identifies challenges and provides guidance and direction on creating mutually beneficial, empowered and justice-centered brand partnerships. Read their end-of-year report here.  

    • The Talent Working Group is developing a resource for the outdoor industry that enables understanding and implementation of strategies for leading with culture first, and attracting and retaining a more diverse workforce. Read their end-of-year report here. 

  • Capacity Building:  We strengthened organizational capacity by welcoming new board members Jonathan Carmona (Patagonia) and Molly Inderhees (Portland Garment Factory). Meet the people behind ODA.

  • Following the Experts: We shared concrete examples of DEI in action by highlighting initiatives from Burton, NEMO, KEEN, Smartwool, and BOA. We translated existing research and best practices into practical applications for the outdoor industry.

We are grateful for your support, thanks for being part of the ODA collective! 

December 19, 2025

WORKING GROUP END OF YEAR REPORTS: HARD TRUTHS AND A WAY FORWARD

We are pleased to share the 2025 End-of-Year Working Group Progress Reports, reflecting mid-point findings from member-led working groups. These reports offer insight into where the outdoor industry is today—and what it will take to move forward. Both working groups will continue their work in 2026, with final resources and guidance planned for completion early next year.

The Talent Working Group Report focuses on organizational culture as the foundation for attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. Grounded in community-informed research, the report introduces the T.R.A.I.L. framework, a culture-first approach designed specifically for the outdoor industry. It highlights how performative values, misaligned systems, and unexamined assumptions continue to undermine belonging—and offers a practical path toward cultures that are inclusive, accountable, and sustainable over time.

The Fair Play in Partnerships Working Group Report brings together survey insights from ambassadors, athletes, influencers, and brand employees to reveal how partnerships are experienced on the ground. Drawing on survey data and best-practice research, the report surfaces persistent challenges around compensation, transparency, and power imbalances—while also identifying what fair, mutually beneficial partnerships can look like in practice.

Taken together, these reports make one thing clear: lasting change requires shifting power, resources, and accountability—not just representation.

These findings will directly inform the next phase of work in 2026, including the development of industry guidance, assessment tools, and resources shaped by member and community feedback.

We encourage you to read both reports and reflect on how the insights apply within your organization and partnerships.

Thank you for being part of this collective effort to build a more equitable and accountable outdoor industry!

December 8, 2025

3rd ANNUAL ODA MEMBER GATHERING: APRIL 8 IN DENVER!

ODA members are invited to join ODA members, staff, Advisory Board members, and Community Advisors for a full day of connection, joy, and collaboration at VF Corp headquarters in Denver on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

As a member-led organization, we can’t overstate how important these gatherings have been in shaping our direction—and, more importantly, in building meaningful connections within the ODA community.  Our hope is that one person from every member company can attend, and you are welcome to bring more! 

Here's the schedule - 

  • April 7 - Travel to Denver + casual dinner (no-host) 

  • April 8 - All day meeting at VF Corp (lunch provided). Casual group dinner following the meeting (no host) 

  • April 9 - Travel home 

We will circulate hotel information in early 2026. Please RSVP by contacting Josie and Teresa at outdoordiversityalliance@gmail.com.

November 20, 2025

“THE BUSINESS CASE FOR DIVERSITY IN THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY” VIRTUAL EVENT RECORDING AND SLIDESHOW

On November 20, ODA hosted Growth and Relevancy through Inclusion: A Business Case for the Outdoor Industry. A special thanks to all of the speakers for sharing their expertise and insights with us. 

Here are links to the Zoom recording and presentation slide deck. Here's a brief summary of the event: 

  • Jonathan Carmona (Patagonia, ODA Advisory Board) highlighted ODA's mission, members, and manifesto, and facilitated a thoughtful conversation with the ODA community about how, and why, investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion is a pathway to deeper community connection, shared prosperity, and lasting impact.

  • Dan Walker (Collective Imagination Consulting, ODA Advisory Board) presented ODA's Business Case for Diversity in the Outdoor Industry, offering a detailed look at demographic shifts, access to capital, impact-driven employees, and conscious consumers—and their implications for the outdoor industry. The full business case deck will be available soon and shared with all ODA members.

  • Lesford Duncan (Outdoor Foundation) shared his experience expanding equitable access to outdoor recreation by supporting community-led, cross-sector coalitions through the Thrive Outside initiative and by partnering closely with the outdoor industry. He emphasized the need for strategic investments and industry collaboration to ensure all people feel welcomed, represented, and connected in the outdoors.

  • Eoin Comerford (Outsized Consulting) spoke to the political headwinds that have prompted brands to cut DEI roles, in part because many companies didn't tie DEI to business strategy or calculate the financial ROI. He believes that real growth depends on authentically expanding beyond a narrow customer base, and that brands willing to lead on DEI, even amid backlash, have a significant competitive opportunity.

  • Jocelyn Corbett (CRE Alliance) talked about the legal landscape, emphasizing that companies can move forward with confidence by separating political noise from legal reality. Despite the fear and confusion in the current climate, no federal workforce nondiscrimination laws have changed under the current administration. Jocelyn shared clear recommendations about how to reduce risk and move forward with confidence. 

Thank you to all of the speakers for sharing their time and expertise with our community.

November 4, 2025

INVITATION: BUSINESS CASE PRESENTATION WITH PATAGONIA, CORPORATE RACIAL EQUITY ALLIANCE, AND ODA ADVISORY BOARD

Join us on November 20 at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET for Growth & Relevancy Through Inclusion: A Business Case for the Outdoor Industry. 

The Business Case for Diversity in the Outdoor Industry brings together expert research, macro trends, and demographic data showing that investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s good for business.

This session is particularly relevant for leaders finalizing 2026 strategies and budgets who are seeking data-backed insights to support impact-driven investments. 

We’ll hear from:

  • Jonathan Carmona, Global Director, Justice and Belonging, Patagonia; ODA Advisory Board Member

  • Lesford Duncan, Executive Director, Outdoor Foundation

  • Jocelyn Corbett, Director, Corporate Racial Equity Alliance, PolicyLink

  • Eoin Comerford, Principal, Outsized Consulting; former CEO, Moosejaw; former ODA Advisory Board Member

  • Dan Walker, Collective Imagination Consulting; ODA Advisory Board Member

All are welcome—please share this invitation with brand leaders and colleagues advancing inclusion and fair workplaces within your organization.

Click here to Register

We hope you can join us!

October 1, 2025

VIRTUAL EVENT INVITATION: FROM INSIGHT TO ACTION: TOOLS FOR TALENT & PARTNERSHIPS

After months of collaboration, ODA's Talent Working Group and Fair Play in Partnerships Working Group are ready to introduce their projects, share progress, and engage members through Q&A and discussion. 

Join us for From Insight to Action: Tools for Talent & Partnerships on October 8 at 12:00 PT / 3:00 ET, featuring presentations by working group co-chairs and Community Advisors.  Click here to register

This session is especially relevant to those who manage people, culture, influencers, athletes, and ambassadors. This event is open to all employees of ODA member organizations.

About the working groups:

Talent Working Group 

Co-Chairs: Margot Phillips (Burton) and Ashley Woodman (BOA, ODA Board)

Community Advisor:  Mardi Fuller (Boston Plan for Excellence) 

  • Background: Organizations often focus on attracting and recruiting diverse talent before fully understanding how their values and culture support inclusion and belonging. When recruitment outpaces cultural readiness, retaining diverse employees—especially those from marginalized or underrepresented communities—becomes difficult, leading to higher turnover and leaving many feeling undervalued or disillusioned with the outdoor industry as a whole. Creating a more diverse workforce in the outdoor industry requires organizations to rethink where to begin in driving this systemic change.

  • Project Deliverable: The Talent Working Group is reviewing research, gathering best practices and resources, and creating a practical assessment tool to help outdoor companies understand what opportunities exist to better lead with culture first and evolve their organization to better support and retain diverse talent—creating an organization where employees feel valued and able to thrive with a sense of joy and belonging. Their work is led by top organizational research, insights from our Community Advisors, and experiences of individuals from underrepresented communities in the outdoor industry. The assessment tool and associated resources will enable companies to assess cultural readiness, recognize blind spots, and address barriers to attracting and retaining diverse talent with clear, practical guidance.

Fair Play in Partnerships Working Group

Co-Chairs: Maria McNulty (SIA) and Molly Inderhees (ODA Board)

Community Advisors:  Leander Lacy (Lacy Consulting) and Dani Reyes-Acosta (Afuera Productions)

  • Background: Many outdoor brands lack consistent standards for partnering with athletes, ambassadors, and influencers from underrepresented communities. Because partnerships vary widely—by brand size, engagement length, type of influencer, and geography—a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. This often results in inconsistent decisions that create inequities in how resources and budgets are allocated, while partners themselves lack the transparency or information needed to make informed choices.

  • Project Deliverable: The Fair Play in Partnerships Working Group is creating a resource for Brands and Partners from underrepresented communities (individual ambassadors, athletes and influencers). The resource will provide direction and guidance on how to navigate partnership conversations and create mutually beneficial, empowered and justice-centered partnerships.

We hope you can join us!