NOLS Names Melissa Gray Interim President

NOLS announces that the Board of Trustees has appointed Melissa Gray as Interim President. Gray brought Wilderness Medicine to NOLS in 1999 and spent the next 27 years building it into one of the pillars of the school. She will take on the role January 1, 2027, while the Board searches for its next permanent president.

Gray has already returned to NOLS as Interim President-Designate. Through November and December, she is working alongside President Sandy Colhoun, who steps down December 31, to plan the transition. A Lander resident, Gray will work primarily from NOLS headquarters.

“She is a passionate advocate for NOLS’ mission, brings excellent (and proven) operational skills, and will provide steady leadership while we look for a new, permanent President,” said John Babcock, Chair of the NOLS Board of Trustees.

Gray began teaching wilderness medicine in 1985. In 1990, she co-founded the Wilderness Medicine Institute in a basement in Pitkin, Colorado. NOLS acquired the institute nine years later, and Gray moved with it to Lander, where she led what became NOLS Wilderness Medicine until her retirement in June. This year, NOLS Wilderness Medicine generated $8.7 million in revenue.

“I can’t think of anyone who has a deeper understanding of our school, where we’re headed, and how to carry our mission forward in the months ahead,” said Colhoun. 

In her first weeks, Gray will meet with people across the school to listen, ask questions, and learn where things stand. She will also prepare for the Board’s winter meeting, work with the Executive Team, and focus on keeping the school on course through the change in leadership.

“I am incredibly excited to step into the role of Interim President and lead NOLS through this important transition. My history with the school gives me a deep appreciation for our culture, our people, and the vital importance of our mission. During my tenure, my focus will be on operational stability, organizational excellence, and deep collaboration with our internal teams. I look forward to partnering with Sandy over the next two months to ensure a smooth transition that keeps our positive momentum going and solidly positions NOLS for its next chapter,” said Gray.

Meanwhile, the Board has formed a Presidential Search Committee. Co-chaired by trustees Neil Fiske and Brad Hirsch, it includes trustees Elaine Carney, Bill Carr, Les Duncan, and Gretchen Warner, along with NOLS staff members Raúl Castro Flores and Katie Lewis. Babcock serves as an ex officio member. With two staff seats on the committee, NOLS employees will have a direct voice in defining what the school needs in its next president.

Colhoun remains President through the end of the year. “We remain deeply grateful to him for leaving NOLS on markedly stronger footing after leading the school since 2023, and for his partnership with Melissa in making this transition a smooth one,” said Babcock.

Colhoun added, “Welcome back, Melissa. I knew it would be hard to stay away!”