Our Team

Adventureworks! Associates, Inc. is a professional consulting company that has been contributing to excellence in the adventure programming field since 1993.

We create innovative adventure programs and challenge course facilities which enable people to develop greater understanding of themselves, build healthier relationships, exercise more effective leadership, and make a positive impact in their communities. Our leading edge adventure program services promote growth and change in individuals, groups, and organizations across Canada.  

Our services are provided by a team of highly skilled and qualified professionals. We are accredited Professional Vendor Members of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) for installation, inspection, training, and certification. For over 25 years members of our staff team have been actively involved in the development of challenge course standards and guidelines for organizations in Canada and around the world.

Brian Lisson (He/Him)
President & Founder

Brian has been actively involved in facilitating adventure experiences, building ropes courses and training adventure leaders for over thirty years. He has also been Camp Director at Canterbury Hills, a sessional lecturer at McMaster University, and Director of Professional Development Programs at Outward Bound Canada. 

Brian has worked with a wide variety of clientele. He has facilitated programs for human service professionals, teachers, corporate teams, students, young offenders and therapy groups. 

Brian has presented internationally at the Association for Experiential Education Conference and the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). He has presented locally at many professional organizations including OCA, BCCA, PRO, and COEO. Brian has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario and the Association for Challenge Course Technology. Brian is currently a Board Emeritus Member of the ACCT. Brian is an ACCT certified Level 1 Professional Inspector.

Brian is the recipient of the 2021 Critical Link Award from the Association for Challenge Course Technology. Brian was the 2011 recipient of the Robin Dennis Award and is an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario.

Kathy Haras, Ph.D. (She/Her)
VP - Challenge Course Services,
Risk Management & Quality Assurance
Principal Consultant

Kathy is Vice President and Principal Consultant for Adventureworks! Associates Inc. She has been facilitating outdoor adventure experiences for over 20 years. Kathy has worked with a variety of clientele including; corporate management teams, people with disabilities, and Olympic athletes. 

Kathy holds Bachelors’ degrees in Outdoor Recreation and Natural Science, a Masters Degree in Recreation Administration and a Ph.D. in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences from Texas A&M University.   Kathy is the author of Fireball and Other Great Low Ropes Activities and co-author of the textbook Aerial Adventure Environments: The Theory and Practice of the Challenge Course, Zip Line, and Canopy Tour Industry. Kathy is the former editor of Pathways: The Ontario Journal of Outdoor Education.

Kathy is a TSSA licensed ADMR-Zip Line Mechanic and an ACCT certified Level 2 Professional Inspector & Supervisor. Kathy is former Chair of the ACCT Design, Performance, and Inspection Standards Committee and a current member of the ACCT Technical Information, Research, and Education Committee. She is also a member of the OPHEA Climbing Standards Writing Team. Kathy regularly consults with school boards, camping associations, and regulators on standards related issues.

Kathy has received several Community Service Awards and is the 2022 Recipient of the Critical Link Award from the ACCT. She is also a recipient of the President’s Award from COEO.

Dan Wolfenden (He/Him)
General Manager

Dan Wolfenden is our General Manager. Dan is responsible for our day to day operations as well the Retreat and Learning Centre at Canterbury Hills. Dan has worked in camping for 30 years including 25 years being the Director of Programs at Camp Trillium, OuR Island.

Dan is a lifelong Hamiltonian, and loves everything that Hamilton has to offer.

Laurie Robb (She/Her)
Manager of Operations - Challenge Course Services

Laurie is our Manager of Operations for Challenge Course Services. She is responsible for coordinating inspections, repairs, training and certification, and operation reviews.

Laurie has over 25 years of experience in leadership and operations and brings a wealth of expertise in organizational management and team coordination. Before joining AdventureWorks, she worked with Ontario Pioneer Camp and The Salvation Army, where she led large staff teams, managed camp operations, and supported the delivery of safe and meaningful outdoor experiences for children and youth.

Tristan Jones (He/Him)
Consultant

Tristan Jones is a full-time Challenge Course Services Consultant who provides installation, inspection, training, and facilitation services to our clients.

Tristan has worked in the outdoor industry for over 10 years in a variety of capacities including therapeutic facilitator, lead climbing instructor trainer, and ropes course Installer. He has a passion for outdoor life and the philosophy that surrounds it with a special interest in Scandinavian models.

Tristan holds a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education in Outdoor Adventure Leadership from Laurentian University. Tristan is an ACCT certified Level 1 Professional Inspector.

Matt Speer (He/Him)
Consultant

Matt Speer is a full-time Challenge Course Services Consultant who provides facilitation, training, installation, and inspection services to our clients.

Matt is an experienced challenge course professional. He has worked in camping for the past 9 years. Most recently he was the Director of Adventure Education at Camp Kintail in Goderich, Ontario. He has also worked as an occasional Program Facilitator at Adventureworks Associates.

Matt is a graduate of Sir Sandford Fleming's Outdoor Adventure Education program. Matt is an ACCT certified Level 1 Professional Inspector.

Brenna Dorosh (She/Her)
Consultant

Brenna is a full-time Consultant. She organizes our programs at the Retreat and Learning Centre at Canterbury Hills, off-site programs at schools, and provides summer ropes supervision and support to some of our camp clients.

Brenna participated in several Outdoor Education programs in high school, which kick-started her interest in experiential education. Brenna started working at summer camps in 2015, where she was on the Ropes Teams. An avid camper, Brenna is passionate about encouraging others to experience the outdoors. During her studies at Brock University, Brenna worked for the Recreation Department, helping to run the Challenge Courses for students and varsity sports teams.

Brenna holds a Bachelor of General Science, focusing on biology and earth sciences, as well as a Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Majoring in Outdoor Recreation. 

Adam Mitchell (He/Him)
Consultant

Adam is a full-time Challenge Course Services Consultant who provides installation, inspection, training, as well as retail and pre-fabrication services.

Adam has worked in the outdoor industry for decades in various capacities, including as a climbing guide, both in and outdoors, and as a ropes technician at AdventureWorks early in his career. 

Adam has a passion for the outdoors, and you can find him paddling, portaging, and climbing during his time off.

Brianna Bahlmann (She/Her)
Consultant

Brianna is a full-time Consultant. She primarily works in our program department, along with handling our online presence and retail.

Brianna brings over 10 years of experience in the camping industry, having held a range of leadership roles at CSR Grand River, including ropes course and store coordination, as well as at Brantford Church of the Nazarene, where she served as summer camp director and serves as a member of the administrative team.