When Alexys stepped onto her first Outward Bound course as a high school student in 2008, she didn’t yet know it would change the course of her life.
Today, she manages the very program that first sparked passion for Outward Bound — the Charlotte Unity Project. Leading North Carolina Outward Bound School’s (NCOBS) Charlotte programs with fervor and unyielding compassion, Alexys has been recognized by Outward Bound USA as the 2025 recipient of the Marina Ewald Award.
This award honors an Outward Bound staff member who has advanced and improved the student experience by courageously approaching problems through the lens of innovation and inclusion. Alexys exemplifies that spirit in every part of her work as Charlotte Program Director. She brings both professional insight and lived experience to every step of the process as she recruits and supports more than 60 Charlotte-area students and educators through their own Outward Bound journeys. Her impact extends far beyond Charlotte, improving accessibility and fostering inclusive belonging for all NCOBS students.
“Alexys brings her professional expertise, her personal experience as a student, and her understanding of access and belonging issues to all of her work recruiting students, connecting with their families, and keeping in constant communication with them to make sure they are supported as they prepare for course,” shares Vanessa McCroskey, NCOBS Educators Program Director. “Alexys’ influence on the student experience also flows through the discussions and perspective that she provides our field staff before and after course… she raises the bar for all of us, and we cannot imagine a more deserving recipient of this award.”
A proud NCOBS alum, Alexys has grown alongside the programs she now leads. After participating in the Unity Project as a teen, she served on the Charlotte Advisory Board for six years before joining the staff full-time in 2020. Her leadership has strengthened the bridge between students and staff, ensuring that every person stepping into the field feels seen, supported, and set up for success.
“Outward Bound shaped who I am, and now I get to help provide that same growth and discovery for others,” says Alexys. “Seeing our programs evolve to reach more young people in meaningful, inclusive ways is why I love this work.”
Please join us in celebrating Alexys J. Woods, whose full-circle journey continues to inspire and whose leadership strengthens the future of NCOBS, one student at a time.
