Elevating youth in our community
Elevation Outdoors is a community-supported program designed to enhance the lives of local youth who face significant socioeconomic challenges. Through guided participation in strategically designed outdoor pursuits, young people are exposed to challenging physical activities while gaining fundamentally important life skills.
Our Mission
With the support of community sponsors, donors and volunteers, Elevation Outdoors offers specially designed outdoor sports programs, personal mentorship and life skills coaching to youth who face barriers to participation.
Our Vision
All local youth, regardless of personal circumstances, have the opportunity to make healthy lifestyle choices and experience personal growth through participation in challenging outdoor pursuits.
How we got here
Elevation Outdoors was founded in 2007 by Tori Hanson and a small group of dedicated individuals that saw a need in our community. From our very first ever Learn to Shred program with 6 participants, our focus has always been on breaking down barriers and helping youth find a passion to help them lead a healthy happier life. Since then, we have expanded our program offering to include snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, sailing and leadership programs.
Since our inception, we have been able to help hundreds of youth find a new passion and build confidence while learning skills that will stay with them for life.
Our life-changing programs
Our outdoor programs are designed to mentor youth and steer them out of harm’s way into a life of good health, productivity and fulfillment.
Free of charge
All programs are offered to eligible youth free of charge. We believe that no young person should be denied the potential to discover an outdoor pursuit that can help keep them motivated, healthy and happy for life!
Fully equipped
We provide all the required equipment, so that all a participant needs to do is show up with a positive attitude and a willingness to try something new.
Along for the ride
Transportation is included in our programs from a common meeting point, to ensure that each youth has an opportunity to participate.
Positive connections
Our team of volunteer mentors share their passion for the activities and develop a positive relationship with participants. We strive to keep our ratios at 3:1 or lower so that we’re able to build relationships and confidence.
Our dedicated & adventurous team
Mike Greer
Executive Director
Mike started out with Elevation Outdoors in 2014 as a program volunteer with our Learn to Shred and Live to Ride programs. He took on the role as our first Executive Director in May of 2015 and has been a key contributor to our growth and successes since then. With a Business degree from St. Francis Xavier University he combines his education with a passion for the outdoors to drive the organization forward. With a background in outdoor recreation including being a PMBIA Level 2 Air instructor, CASI 1 and a former climbing instructor Mike has a real ability to not just share his passion with our participants, but to help our program staff improve the quality of our programs.
Mike was born in Ontario and has also spent time living in Florida and Nova Scotia, but always knew a move out West was inevitable. In 2007 he moved west to follow his passion for snowboarding and landed in Kelowna. It was here that he discovered a passion for rock climbing and mountain biking, which he is now able to pass on to the next generation each season through leading our programs. Moving a number of times as a young person helped shape who he is today, and instilled in him the knowledge that finding a passion is key to your happiness. In addition to his work at Elevation Outdoors Mike also sits on the board of directors for two local rock climbing associations and hones his teaching as a mountain bike instructor in the summer time.
When not working or volunteering with Elevation Outdoors, Mike spends his time in the backcountry on his split-board, mountain biking our local trails, and rock climbing all around the Valley. With almost 10 years of involvement with Elevation Outdoors Mike has been a driving force in the growth of the organization, and has a clear vision of what the next ten years can look like for Elevation.
Laura Dunne
Fund Development Coordinator
Laura joined Elevation Outdoors in April 2024. As a seasoned conference services manager turned non-profit fundraiser, she brings a wealth of experience in executing events and building relationships. After 10 years of working in hotels Laura decided to follow her dream and make the switch to non-profit, where she could find meaning and fulfillment in her work. After two years of working in business development for a non-profit treatment center, Laura discovered she loved fundraising and community outreach thus providing more opportunities to those served by the organization. She has learned her strength lies in “helping the people who help the people”.
Laura was born and raised in North Vancouver, BC. She has always loved traveling, camping, water, and being in nature. She has traveled to 25 different countries and enjoys experiencing different cultures and environments. Over her hospitality career she lived and worked in Vancouver BC, Jasper AB, and Whistler BC. It was in Jasper that she really developed a passion for hiking, summiting mountain peaks, and immersing herself in the remote backcountry wilderness.
She recently moved to West Kelowna in part due to the Okanagan’s beautiful landscape and myriad of outdoor activities. Summers you can find her hiking with friends and her dog Rio, stocking up on fresh food from the local farm stands, relaxing at the beach, or exploring the lakes on her paddle board. Winter’s are spent snow hiking, skiing, or warming up with some hot yoga.
Working for Elevation Outdoors has brought together her passion for the outdoors and her desire to use her skills to make a difference in the lives of people experiencing life struggles. She is proud to be a part of helping youth lead happier, more fulfilling lives by providing them opportunities to be active outside, gain skills, and develop passions that could last a lifetime. From personal experience she knows the rewards and benefits of being active outdoors and the positive impact it can have on your life.
Erik Pervin
Program Leader and Grants
Erik started with Elevation Outdoors in September 2021 as a volunteer on the Leaders In Action program. While commuting from Penticton, he started working as a Program Leader part-time and now also supports Elevation’s fundraising as the Grant Officer. He has a Bachelors of Humanities from Carleton University in Ottawa, where he also studied Neuroscience and Mental Health and Landscape Ecology. Erik is an ACMG Climbing Instructor and Apprentice Hiking Guide, a PMBIA Level 1 Mountain Bike Instructor, and an avid outdoor enthusiast.
Erik started his non-profit career as a Community Organizer and Development Officer in a grassroots municipal environmental advocacy organization. It was here that he developed his non-profit leadership experience, becoming the Operations Director and working alongside the Executive Director to lead the organization. He then went on to create a new non-profit called “GreenBooks” that offered subsidized financial services to other non-profit organizations.
After 5 years at a desk, however, he felt the need to get back outside and moved to the Okanagan to get certified as an outdoor guide and instructor. As an environmentalist at heart, Erik always strives to make the world a better place through his work. He believes that people will protect what they love, and has therefore devoted his life to helping people develop a lifelong passion for outdoor recreation and nature. His work with Elevation Outdoors is deeply fulfilling and Erik enjoys working on the frontlines directly with youth, creating opportunities for them to fall in love with being outside.
Jakub Smal
Program Leader
Jakub joined Elevation Outdoors in 2025, working as a bike mechanic at Kelowna Bike Rentals and assisting with the Live to Ride mountain biking program before moving into his role as a Program Lead. Jakub grew up in Ontario and comes from a background of competitive figure skating, although he discovered his passion for outdoor recreation at an early age. He holds a Bachelors of Physical and Health Education from Laurentian University in Sudbury, where he studied Outdoor Adventure Leadership and also completed his Bachelors of Education. Throughout his undergraduate degree Jakub obtained numerous industry qualifications such as his Wilderness First Responder, Swift Water Rescue Technician, Level 1 CSIA Ski Instructor and Outdoor Council of Canada Field Leader certificate. Over this time he continued to share his passion for the outdoors through work as a ski Instructor, whitewater guide / videographer and Backcountry Canoe Guide.
Jakub enjoys spending his time outside of work exploring new rivers in B.C., practicing his first responding skills through ski patrol and improving his mountain biking on the numerous trail systems of the Okanagan. As a certified teacher with a focus on Outdoor Education, he is passionate about helping others build confidence, resilience and life skills through outdoor recreation. Jakub believes in his work through Elevation Outdoors, where he can connect youth with opportunities to find local and accessible means of recreating outdoors.
Jess Bodrug
Program Manager
Jess has been with Elevation since August 2018 and came into the organization from a psychology and youth outreach background and desire to help improve youth mental health through outdoor activities. In her first year with the organization, Jess found a new hobby in snowboarding and enjoyed building connections with youth in a new way. She learned to snowboard alongside the youth, and just like the program participants, Jess was able to experience the joy of gaining confidence in a new sport. Jess started out as a part-time Program Lead and Coordinator and, over time, has since also taken on volunteer and staff coordination/training, Everyone Rides Grades 4/5 coordination, and other operational tasks in a full-time position. She also still enjoys getting out on program to build relationships with awesome youth!
During her time with Elevation, Jess has worked to improve organizational systems, streamline the registration process, facilitate and refine programs, and coordinating and managing staff and volunteers. Jess has enjoyed being a part of connecting with and building the wonderful Elevation community of youth, parents, referral partners, sponsors, donors, staff, and volunteers! Her favourite part of working for Elevation Outdoors is being part of a small, yet continually growing, organization, which has allowed her to be a valuable contributor to refining and improving the organization over the years. She feels a sense of great pride and connection to the organization and has build some priceless relationships within it. Jess continues to engage with youth in meaningful ways, improve programs and administrative processes that help Elevation increase its sustainability and ability to support those most in need, and connect with community partners to spread the word of all that Elevation has to offer!
Connor Laing
Program Supervisor
Connor joined Elevation Outdoors in the Spring of 2022 as a Program Leader on our Summer Camps and as an attendant at Kelowna Bike Rentals. Eventually becoming an Assistant Manager at KBR, and then a year round Program Leader for all of our programs at the start of 2023 once done with his overseas studies, eventually stepping into the role of Program Supervisor in 2025. Connor grew up in Kelowna and comes from a background of both coaching and playing in various competitive, performance level sports like rugby, hockey, soccer, and downhill ski racing.
After being given the opportunity to play rugby and study in Wales, Connor left his studies at UBC Vancouver to start a Sports Coaching degree. He found the Program Leader position at Elevation while amidst his studies, and chose to follow it as it felt a perfect place to grow and apply his passion for coaching and mentorship. Now an adult living back in B.C., Connor began to explore more of the outdoors through sport, leaning more into activities like rock climbing and snowboarding, and learning new things like mountain biking and back country touring. His time at Elevation Outdoors and his passion for coaching has led Connor to complete his certifications as a Level 1 PMBIA Mountain Bike Instructor and a Level 1 CASI Snowboard Instructor.
His experiences through sport and school have gained Connor a career objective of providing positive, and meaningful opportunities and spaces for those in need, be it through building and supporting community, or providing mentorship directly in the contexts of
sport or school. Working for a non-profit organization like Elevation Outdoors has been the place for Connor to pursue and achieve these career objectives.
Connor continues to chase his passions and pass them along through his work with Elevation Outdoors by delivering our programs, supporting program administration and coordination, assisting in staff training and professional development, and interacting with members of the community!
Kira Friessen
Program Leader
Kira joined Elevation Outdoors in the Summer of 2023, starting as a summer student doing events and marketing. Over time she was able to use her education and history in sport to work on programs. In the fall of 2025, she helped develop the Girls Forward programming in collaboration with Elevation Outdoors and Girls Forward Foundation. Her favourite part of time with Elevation Outdoors is sharing the love for the outdoors and creating a safe and positive space for youth in the outdoors.
Born and raised in Kelowna as a competitive Biathlete, she grew up skiing and training in the Okanagan. Through her training she developed a deep passion for sport and community. She understands the value of sport, community and well-being. In 2022, she decided to leave Biathlon to study Psychology at UBCO. Leaving Biathlon allowed her to expand her sports and passions. She now loves backpacking, sport climbing, mountain biking, skateboarding, snowboarding and canoeing and, of course, still loves to cross country ski. With her studies at UBCO and her experience in competitive sport she strives to make sports inclusive, accessible and fun. She is passionate about helping youth have a positive association and experience outside.
When Kira isn’t on Program she is either studying, spending time outside with her dog, Albi, or in her art studio.
Board of Directors
Tori Hanson
Founder and Board Chair
Tori spent the first 23 years of her life in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. She attended University of Victoria, finishing up with a BA in Leisure Service Administration. Tori had a keen interest in sport and outdoor recreation throughout her high school and undergraduate life. She enjoyed all the outdoor experiences that Victoria and surrounding area has to offer: mountain biking, hiking, trail running, paddling, and trips to the mountains to ski and snowboard in her free time. She was also a trail blazer for women’s rugby in the late 1990’s; playing on the first varsity ‘Vikes’ team at UVic, and the first women’s U23 Canadian national team.
Tori went on to work at various mountain snow resorts for the following 3 years, helping to organize outdoor events and ski and snowboard races.
Tori returned to university in Victoria, Australia where she earned a Masters in Experiential Learning and Development at Victoria University in Melbourne. She lived in Torquay, Australia and worked within the school system for outdoor education while studying.
Tori and two friends also started a program for homeless youth in Geelong Australia named by the youth involved “XTG town”, through the Barwon Youth accommodation services group. The program focussed on working with a small group of youth towards a goal of travelling internationally and taking part in outdoor pursuits while there. The project lasted 6 months, youth were empowered by raising their own funds to travel to an international location of their choice, which was New Zealand. The youth were mentored by volunteers and experienced new outdoor pursuits and living healthier lives while reaching their travel goal.
Tori and her Australian husband, Mat, returned to live in Canada in early 2007. After seeing the difference one can make in youth’s lives that really need it, such as the XTG town group, Tori set her sites on making a difference in Kelowna. She founded Elevation Outdoors in November of 2007 after seeing the need for outdoor experiences and healthy opportunity offered to Kelowna’s less fortunate. The first Elevation Outdoors program “Learn to Shred” took place in January of 2008 at Big White Ski Resort with 6 youth referred to the organization, and some very passionate committed volunteers!
Currently, Tori is the Chair of the Elevation Outdoors board of directors. She also works within the organization on fund development and fundraising, strategic planning, community relations, and linking Elevation Outdoors to post secondary opportunities for students in the Okanagan. Tori also volunteers within the Elevation programs wherever possible.
Marc Proulx
Vice Chair
Marc has been on the Board of Elevation Outdoors since January 2024 and is Chair of the Governance Committee.
He is a big mental health advocate and is also on the Board for CMHA Kelowna. He has over 25 years of experience in financial services with a focus on risk management.
When not managing risk at work, he is either on the local ski hills or mountain bike trails taking on too much risk to keep up with his kids.
Rene Watson
Director
Raised in Kelowna, BC, alongside two sisters, Rene developed a lifelong appreciation for the city and its vibrant community. Rene completed an undergraduate degree in Political Science at UBC Okanagan and went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Thompson Rivers University.
Sports have played a central role in Rene’s life from an early age, instilling values of teamwork, perseverance, and leadership that continue to guide Rene in adulthood. Rene remains actively involved in athletics and believes that the lessons learned through sport are fundamental to personal and professional growth.
As a proud board member of Elevation Outdoors, Rene is dedicated to giving back to the Kelowna community by sharing a passion for activity and adventure. Rene is committed to helping others access the opportunities and experiences that made growing up in Kelowna so rewarding.
Marc Nicolas
Director
Marc is a dedicated father and outdoor enthusiast who highly values outdoor activities and their benefits. His service as a board member with Elevation Outdoors is a role he considers a personal passion project that allows him to contribute meaningfully to youth development and community well-being.
Marc spent 14 years in banking, holding roles in fixed income, equities, and private wealth management. He ultimately served as Vice President, advising high-net-worth individuals and managing complex financial portfolios. He brings this knowledge to support both the finance and the human resources committees at Elevation Outdoors.
Later, Marc transitioned to education where he began as a business instructor, using his industry experience to provide practical, real-world context in the classroom. He became Director of a private college in British Columbia, where he focuses on creating a positive and supportive student experience. His contributions to Elevation Outdoors are shaped by both his career experience and his commitment to community-driven impact.
Mike Smith
Treasurer
Mike joined the EO board in 2019. He is the treasurer of the Board and Chairs the finance committee.
Mike is the owner and president of Smith Business Valuations Inc. (SBV). Before starting his valuations firm, Mike obtained his Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) designation with a large prominent accounting firm. He also obtained his Chartered Accountant designation with the same firm in 2014. Mike’s 13-year background in public practice accounting has equipped him with the knowledge, relationships, and experience to be the owner operator of SBV.
Mike has called the Okanagan home for more than three decades, having been raised in this picturesque region. Nowadays, you’ll often find him enjoying time with his wife and two sons at parks or camping. When he’s not immersed in family activities, you can spot him on the ski slopes, golf course, or exploring local wineries and breweries. As an advocate for mental wellness and always playing sports and outdoors activities growing up, he is passionate to support helping youth engage in outdoor recreational activities and sports.
Mike McGreer
Secretary
Mike McGreer helps public sector and non-profit organizations plan for the future, communicate their vision, and measure and report on performance. He joined our Board in 2025.
Mike joined the City of Kelowna in 2018 and before that held roles with the BC Dental Association, City of Surrey, Vancouver Economic Commission and the BC Ministry of Environment. Before joining EO Mike was on the Board of the Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna branch and holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University. Outside of work you’ll find Mike with his wife and two boys spending as much time as possible outdoors.
Aleksandra Jevdjevic
Director
Aleks brings a passion for working with children, community connection, and staying active in the outdoors. Originally from Serbia, she has a background in physical education and spent several years working with children and youth aged 3 to 18, shaping her commitment to inclusive and engaging programs.
She currently works at the Centre for Health Behaviour Change at UBC Okanagan, where she supports research and programs focused on behaviour change, quality participation and community engagement. Outside of work, Aleks is actively involved in the community, including volunteering with B.A.R.K alongside her dog Shiloh. In her free time, she is a self-proclaimed open-water swimmer and regularly takes part in Across The Lake swims in the Okanagan Valley.
Aleks is excited to support opportunities that help children build confidence, connection and joy through outdoor experiences.
Isabelle Eaton
Director
Isabelle has been on the Board of Elevation Outdoors since February 2026 and sits on the Governance Committee.
Early in her career, Isabelle worked in youth and family social services in both Quebec and Kelowna. She later went on to work as an education researcher and program evaluator and in organizational development and workplace training and learning. For most of the last 12 years, Isabelle has worked in risk management and compliance in the financial services sector. Now that she’s in Kelowna, she’s rekindling her passion for coaching and organizational development through her own private practice.
When she’s not working, Isabelle is either hanging out with her dogs, hiking, mountain biking, or training at her local karate dojo. She’s also now in her 4th year of serving on the Board of Directors of her national karate association, JKA-SKD Canada.