Kim Moore Bailey

Executive Director

Youth Outside’s Executive Director Kim Moore Bailey provides the leadership and vision that drives its mission to connect youth to nature by eliminating barriers, providing resources, and promoting outdoor programming. Inspired by her own passion for the outdoors and years of both personal and professional experiences, she is committed to ensuring that underrepresented youth in particular have access and opportunities to thrive in the outdoors. Kim focuses on guiding Youth Outside's strategic direction, building its grant making portfolio, and achieving measurable results by leveraging the collective knowledge, networks, and resources of the outdoor, environmental, and health fields. Kim leads Youth Outside with the understanding that outdoor programming is essential for building healthy lives and inspiring future stewards of the planet.

In overseeing the organization’s strategy, relationship building, and fundraising efforts, Kim works directly with the leadership team as well as the Board of Directors who are instrumental to Youth Outside’s success. Under Kim’s leadership, Youth Outside was awarded a multiple year grant by Kaiser Permanente to support the engagement of underrepresented youth in meaningful outdoor experiences. By leaning into conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion, Kim has been a connector and a catalyst for change. As Youth Outside’s first Executive Director, she has laid the foundation for the organization to impact the lives of youth across the state of California.

Kim has over 20 years of experience as an executive with expertise in strategic planning and community engagement. Before coming to Youth Outside, Kim was the Chief Operating Officer for College Possible, a national nonprofit focused on making college attainable for low-income students by creating more access points and opportunities for support. She was also Vice President for Outward Bound Inc, where she was responsible for supporting and growing Outward Bound’s urban programs across the country; Manager of Denver Parks and Recreation for the City and County of Denver; and she was a Region Manager for the Chicago Parks District.

Kim is an expert, leader, and champion for promoting the benefits of connecting all youth to nature. She received her Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University and her Master’s Degree from New York University in Counselor Education. Kim also participated in Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in the State and Local Government program, and pursued additional educational opportunities at the University of Illinois and the University of Colorado. She serves on the Advisory Board for California Trust for Public Land, ChangeScale, Environmental Grantmakers Association, and is Co-Chair of the Environmental Education Funders Collaborative. Kim is currently an Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE) Fellow. Away from work, Kim enjoys spending time with her loved ones, yoga, and being outdoors. 

To contact Kim, call (510) 839-0731 or send her an email at kim@youthoutside.org.

Laura Rodriguez

Program Officer

Laura (pronounced loud-ah) oversees Youth Outside's grantmaking program. In addition, she assists with the design, management, and implementation of Youth Outside's strategic programs.

Growing up in the Central Valley, a child of immigrant parents, Laura graduated from UCLA with a commitment to social justice that today centers around youth and access to the outdoors. Laura’s introduction to the impact of outdoor programming did not take place until she moved to the Bay Area in 2009. Her passion for the outdoors deepened when she began to volunteer with the Sierra Club’s Inspiring Connections Outdoor Rafting program, eventually serving as its chair for a two-year term in 2012. Laura’s experience with the Sierra Club fueled her desire to be a champion for equity and inclusion within the outdoor space, and she actively facilitates trainings and conversations in support of these efforts for Youth Outside.

Prior to joining Youth Outside, Laura was a Program Manager for the SEIU UHW West and Joint Employer Education Fund, a non-profit that offers training and education for healthcare workers. Her ability to connect with stakeholders of all levels make Laura a valuable team member. We are so excited to have her on staff at Youth Outside.

To contact Laura, call (510) 839-0732 or send her an email at laura@youthoutside.org.

Rena Payan

Program Manager

Rena is tasked with working toward equity and representation in the outdoor field by supporting young adults from diverse backgrounds through training that will develop them into outdoor leaders, stronger community advocates, and more confident stewards of the Earth.

Having grown up in the Central Valley of California, Rena was surrounded by the outdoors, but did not find her passion for outdoor education and youth development until she worked at Pathfinder Ranch in the San Bernardino National Forest. During her time at Pathfinder, Rena worked as an assistant horse wrangler, outdoor educator, high ropes facilitator, and occasional mad scientist, ultimately finishing her years there as the medical director for their outdoor education school and summer camp programs. Following her mountain life, Rena moved to the Bay Area by way of Montana and settled in San Francisco, where she worked as the Teen Programs Coordinator at the Richmond Village Beacon. While at the Beacon Rena developed and supported afterschool programs that served over 200 high schoolers a day. During the summer Rena created and ran “Venture Out”, an outdoor program for high school and middle school youth that took them to Point Reyes to backpack and explore the national shoreline.

Rena currently volunteers with Bay Area Wilderness Training as an instructor and Board member. She is also a graduate from the California School Age Consortium’s (CalSAC) Leadership Development Institute and enjoys every chance she gets to go outside.

To contact Rena, send her an email at rena@youthoutside.org.

Maria Catoline

Development Director

For over 12 years, Maria Catoline has raised capital for non-profit organizations, with a focus on human rights, climate change, and environmental education. Most recently, as the Development Director at the Alliance for Climate Education, Maria grew the team and infrastructure to raise over $5M to advance ACE’s programs for climate literacy and youth influence. Maria comes from a strong practice of working closely with staff, board members, and leading supporters to build a fundraising strategy that serves an organization’s top priorities.

Maria is personally drawn to organizations that are investing in the potential of young people to be an unstoppable force for change. What draws Maria to the Youth Outside model is that the organization is investing in the capacity of diverse, emerging professionals to strengthen the field of environmental education and outdoor programming by making the field more equitable and culturally relevant. Maria is excited about the opportunity to support the organization at an exciting time of growth.

Maria has worked with the San Francisco Girls Chorus, the Gorilla Organization, the Harvard University Center for Ethics, and the Women's Institute for Leadership Development for Human Rights. She is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Romania. Maria has a B.A. in International Relations from Boston University and an M.A. in Sustainable International Development from the Heller School for Social Policy, Brandeis University. She lives in San Francisco with her partner Frank, and their very tubby English lab. 

To contact Maria, please call (510) 839-0371 or email her at maria@youthoutside.org.

Dominique Cowling

Development and Operations Associate

Dominique is a Bay Area native and joins the Youth Outside team with combined experience from various industries. Her passions are deeply embedded in human rights, sustainable healthcare, environmental, and holistic education. 

As a yoga teacher, Dominique believes mindfulness, nature, and community empowerment are tools for social change and wishes to carry it as the Development and Operations Associate. She is committed to youth empowerment and has taught workshops designed to improve life skills and emotional development.

Dominique has a M.A. in International Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a B.A. in Psychology from University of California, Riverside. She has integrated mindfulness and social justice to inform work with NGOs both domestic and international. Her time in South Africa focused her intention to offer holistic education and creative expression to marginalized populations.

Acknowledging the importance of bridging administrative, programmatic, and operations tasks encourages her relationship building with staff and support partners. She is thrilled to join the Youth Outside team to share compelling stories about their vision and meaningful impact.

To contact Dominique, send her an email at dominique@youthoutside.org.