Christian Rudy

Energetic, dependable worker with experience in planning and developing youth programs and events that engage and grow community. Organized and collaborative team player with a demonstrated ability to collaborate tactfully with people and build relationships in the best interest of everyone involved.  Personable and articulate communicator, adept in fostering long-lasting relationships.

I’ve had a pretty eclectic journey when it comes to program management, working with everyone from young kids to adults. My career kicked off right after college, where I worked with children with disabilities in a wraparound program. In that setting, we used Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy to highlight positive behaviors and reduce problematic ones. The experience there laid the foundation for my next role at True North Wilderness Therapy, where the focus was all about building healthy, supportive relationships with students. It was here that I first started to see nature as a real therapeutic tool—an idea that I carried with me into my future work.

After True North, I spent some time at Rutland City Public Schools as an Academic Integrationalist. I created and led an outdoor program and curriculum for middle and high school students. It wasn’t just about camping and outdoor skills—though that was a big part of it—it was also about teaching social-emotional skills and showing kids how nature can help with mental clarity and growth. The more I worked with kids in the outdoors, the more I saw the power of nature in action.

This brings me to my current role at Come Alive Outside, where everything I’ve done up until now has come together. As the Program and Outreach Manager, I’m responsible for overseeing all our programs and ensuring we’re creating real opportunities for underserved communities to experience the outdoors. I coordinate outreach, build partnerships, and evaluate the impact we’re having. I also have the privilege of managing the Pinecone Adventure Forest and the Forest Tale trail, which has become a personal passion project.

I’ve been thriving in this position for the past two years, and honestly, I can’t imagine a better job. There’s something deeply fulfilling about building programs that not only strengthen communities but also inspire young people to get outside and experience the world around them. It’s a job I wish I could keep forever!

My most relevant education would be my bachelors degree from Penn State University. I graduated from Penn State in 2017 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. My time there gave me a solid understanding of how people grow and develop at different stages of life, and how family dynamics and environments shape that process. It really set the stage for my work in education and program management, especially when it comes to supporting both kids and adults in a variety of settings.