Sam Bull

Founder & CEO

Born in a leap year, Sam founded and has directed LEAPNOW since 1994.  After earning a degree in geology from Princeton U. in 1982, he made a decision not to use the word "career" until he was at least 30, choosing instead to follow the "golden thread" of whatever he most wanted to do. This resulted in 9 years of exploration in the U.S., Asia, Central America and Europe. Some of the highlights were: Extensive study in Hindu and Carmelite(Catholic) monasteries in India and the U.S.; work as a carpenter, waiter, computer consultant, folk music restaurant manager, lobster fisherman, and trail crew leader in California and Alaska.

Continuing to follow the golden thread after 30, he coordinated a program for the homeless in Seattle, directed a job-training program for youth-at-risk (the New Hampshire Conservation Corps), and was the Career Services Director and International Student Advisor at a college in Colorado for 3 years. He is a senior fellow of the Hendricks Institute, and is certified in Conscious Relationship Transformation and Body-Centered Transformation through the Institute.   Sam is an affiliate faculty member of Antioch University Seattle.   Hear Sam speak about LEAPYEAR in a 20-minute Podcast interview.

Cassie Bull M.A., ADTR

Director of Curriculum & Artist-in-Residence

With creativity as the leading force in her life, Cassie began her journey into adulthood as a dancer and a baker. Both became lifelong passions and the cornerstones of everything else she has done. After earning a BFA from Wichita State University, Cassie had a full career as a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher in Colorado and New York. Discovering that more was happening in her dance classes than just learning to dance, Cassie went on to earn a Masters in Somatic Psychology in 1988 and worked in psychiatric hospitals, bringing her love of movement and creativity to the mentally ill.

As a therapeutic activities program director in a psychiatric hospital in New York, she developed a horticulture program, a dance/yoga program, and a cooking program for adolescent and adult addicts as well as leading movement therapy groups for all the residents at the psychiatric hospital. During this time Cassie received her ADTR (Advanced Registry, Dance Therapist) and Certification in Authentic Movement. She subsequently directed the Somatic Psychology Department at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado - training dance therapists and body-centered psychotherapists. She is most juiced about the intersection of movement, passion and creativity and her current creative passion is in creating works of fabric art.  Cassie is an affiliate faculty member of Antioch University Seattle.

Cassie and Sam live on campus, are married and have 2 daughters, Maia (19) and Calli (12).

Alexandra Holy

Administrative Coordinator

A native of Duluth, Minnesota, "Lexi" studied abroad in Egypt while earning her degree in International Studies from the U. of Wisconsin - Madison.      She has volunteered abroad in Camphill Communities in Ireland, coordinated programs for youth in Buenos Aires, Argentina and helped to administer grant to women's empowerment organizations throughout Africa.

A lover of languages, Lexi speaks good Spanish, and is conversant in Arabic, Italian, French and American Sign Language. 

Maren Gauldin

Co-Director

Hailing from Colorado, Maren started with LEAPNOW by leading a LEAPYEAR group of 12 intrepid travelers in North & South India. Before LEAPNOW, Maren worked as an Outdoor Educator for San Francisco-based Girl Ventures, studied Outdoor Education and Mountaineering in the Cascades with NOLS, and led service-learning adventures in Mexico. She completed her BA at CU-Boulder, studying Sociology, Leadership & Gender. There she also completed the two-year INVST Community Leadership Program, informing her deep interests in compassionate action, social justice and environmental sustainability.

With degree in hand, she was thirsty for adventure which took her on: a three-month solo road trip through our National Parks; a NOLS Outdoor Educator Course, a round-the-world backpacking trip and more. At LEAPNOW she finds home in the power of inspired learning, service, community and creativity to transform us towards our greatest potential.

Hansell Bourdon, M.A.

Co-Director

Hansell brings loads of amazing experience to LEAPNOW.   Most recently she coordinated a large education and development project in Equatorial Guinea - splitting her time between Africa and Washington, D.C.   She has worked for the State Department in Nicaragua, managed projects in Nicaragua for Bridges to Community and speaks fluent Spanish.     She also worked as a teacher and farmer in rural Nepal.  

She has also worked as a counselor and program coordinator for a D.C.-based domestic violence prevention organization.    Hansell holds a BA in History from Dartmouth, and an MA in Public Affairs (with concentrations in Non-Profit Management and International Affairs) from the Indiana University.

Jason Geoffrion, M.A.

Program Coordinator

Jason has spent his adult life exploring how to best empower people through traditional and alternative forms of education.    He holds a BA in Writing, an M.A. in Special Education, and is pursuing his PhD in Human & Organizational Development.    Prior to joining LEAPNOW, he directed the Men's Leadership Alliance in Boulder, CO, and has also worked as a facilitator for Surfing the Creative - a movement-based rites of passage program for youth and adults.   He has worked as a Wilderness Vision Quest Guide, Special Education Teacher, and Case Manager.  

Certified as a Life Coach and Special Ed. Teacher, Jason has traveled to 30 countries and all 50 states.

Ian "Big" Hue, MA

Building & Grounds Director