The Unicorn, the Beta Master, and the Heart of OP

At the end of this month, we’ll be celebrating two extraordinary women. They have shaped Outside Perspectives in countless ways.

The team has mutually decided to move toward a two-director model. As a result, Liza will be heading off to a new adventure. Aimee will be trading in her director’s chair for more days in the field with our youth.

But before we talk about change, we need to discuss the joy these two have brought to OP. Their grit and the ridiculous fun they bring are also important.

Liza: Ride-or-Die, Beta Master, Mayor of OP

The summer of 2019 was a wild one. Shannon, OP’s co-founder, had just stepped away to have her son. Nicky was running OP solo out of her house. Right at that moment, the grant funding at Liza’s job ran out like divine intervention. A mutual friend put us in touch.

Ride-or-Die

She joined Nicky at the tail end of summer for an expedition with a COBA girls’ crew. They wanted to see if they worked well together.

They did. It was a great crew, and Nicky knew instantly—’ this lady is going to be my ride-or-die’.

By that fall, Liza had fully jumped in. She secured OP an office space through her New Hartford connections. She also brought in Lauren, who kept showing up to volunteer on social media (and eventually came on full-time).

OP’s first official office space!

Steady & True

In 2020, we survived the pandemic together on PPP loans. Soon after, Nicky told Liza she was pregnant. Nicky was unsure of how this might rock their small, vulnerable ship. Liza didn’t flinch. She just smiled, celebrated with Nicky, and carried on.

Beta Master

Liza is our beta master. She knows every trail, river, nook, and cranny in this state and beyond. She can piece together a trip plan, including routes, vehicles, guides, gear, food, on the fly and in her head. She’s also the gear guru, keeping every last paddle, tent pole, and dry bag repaired, organized, and ready to roll.

Mayor & Mom

She’s the Mayor of OP. She talks to everyone and shares our story with genuine passion. Somehow, she sends folks away wanting to get involved before the conversation even ends.

She’s the one we hand the phone to when we need a tough call made. She is persistent. She remains calm and cool, always getting results. Liza may or may not have been called “Mom” on several occasions, due to her get-shit-done attitude.

Leading with Confidence

Anyone that knows Liza knows they can count on her. She is always prepared, always ready to listen, and always the first to care for you or celebrate you.

And in the field, she is an unshakable guide. Liza is calm, confident, and casually makes everyone feel safe and capable.

Laugh So Hard You’ll Cry

Oh, and have we mentioned she’s hilarious? Liza, with an effortless energy, will have you laughing until she’s brought you to tears.

One year, Liza and Lauren ran logistics on the Adirondack paddling expedition. They trekked several miles to support the crew and loaded up on the portage. They slept in Liza’s van and made friends on the trail. And through it all, they laughed ’til their faces hurt.

Thanks to Liza and Aimee, OP has had its fair share of 90s dance parties, unicorns, and reindeer in the office. Because sometimes you just need to dance (or hug) it out between gear inventories and grant deadlines.

Aimee: The Unicorn, the Queen of Games, and the Spark

Aimee came into our world in 2021 as we ramped back up post-pandemic. She immediately became our most reliable and invested instructor. Aimee was always up for anything. She was ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. She was never afraid to take on the hardest, most impactful field work.

Legendary Spirit

Her playful spirit is legendary. She’s our pink inflatable unicorn, showing up to events, programs, and even staff birthdays just to get people smiling. Around the office, she’s like a little fairy of sprinkling joy. She is known for leaving googly eyes and little treasures tucked in places for people to discover later.

The Riddler

She’s the VIP fire starter, a flint-and-steel pro who teaches youth perseverance until they cheer at that first spark. She’s the Queen of Games, Initiatives, and Riddles. She can grab one out of thin air to shift the energy and get people laughing. She is a master of bringing people together.

Aimee always brings the magic.

Soggy Summits

And then there are the moments that just sum up Aimee. Like the time Lauren and Aimee hiked a crew down Alander Mountain in a downpour. They were ankle-deep in water after a failed summit dinner.

Lauren turned around to find Aimee, soaked to the bone and smiling. She was just walking along, completely unbothered, casually eating her noodles out of a bowl. Lauren was blown away by her nonchalance and positive attitude. And laughed the whole way down.

Unicorn Director

In 2024, Aimee stepped into the Director role, leading with empathy, humor, and level-headedness. (While still keeping that unicorn spirit!) And while she’s stepping back from that position, we’re thrilled she’ll still be in the field, bringing her magic directly to our youth.

More Than Colleagues. Family.

These two have been so much more than co-workers. They’ve been advocates, problem-solvers, adventure buddies, and fierce protectors of OP’s mission. They’ve built OP into what it is today. They did so not just through their skill and hard work. It was also through the care, humor, and humanity they bring to everything they do.

This is not goodbye—it’s just a change in the map. Aimee will still be guiding youth in the field. Liza will always be OP family, no matter where her new role takes her. Their fingerprints are all over this organization. They’re in our programs, our culture, and the lives we’ve touched.

So here’s to Liza and Aimee. Thank you for every laugh, every late night, every soggy hike, every game, every call, and every spark. You’ve made OP better in ways we’ll carry forever.

💚 Leave them a note, share a story, or send them some love in the comments. They’ve more than earned it.