Leadership

Savannah Woods

DEEP USA - President

Savannah has been paddling with Northwaters since she was 14, first as a participant and then as a leader for 10 summers. She believes in the importance of outdoor education and its ability to empower youth and help them grow into confident and resilient adults. Savannah grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and attended Columbia University in New York City where she graduated with a degree in film studies. After working for various production companies and filmmakers, Savannah obtained her MA in psychology and substance abuse counseling from The New School for Social Research where she is currently pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology.

Sidey Deska-Gauthier

DEEP CANADA - President

Sidey spent 11 years with Northwaters & Langskib, first as a participant, and then as a leader for 8 years. Sidey passionately believes in the capacity of guided land-based experiences to empower youth and to inspire agency, self-reflection, and empathy as they transition into adulthood. Sidey holds a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Guelph and has recently founded her own consulting and research business focused on the implementation of modern treaties and community economic development within First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities of Canada. She is currently living and working in Whitehorse, where she loves paddling and hiking with her beloved dog Balto.

Dylan Caplan

DEEP USA - Board Member

Dylan, born and raised in Philadelphia, spent his first summer at Langskib when he was 11 years old. He returned every summer thereafter, first as a participant, and then a leader, until he was 24 years old. He attended the University of Vermont and graduated in 2013. In 2014, Dylan began the pursuit of his legal career at the Drexel University School of Law. He is now an Associate Attorney at DLA Piper in their Corporate group. While Dylan would still prefer to spend his summer months in Temagami, the lessons learned and the experiences gained through his life cycle at NWL forever remain a guiding light both personally and professionally. Dylan enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and watching the 2018 Super Bowl Champion, Philadelphia Eagles.

Emily Boyes

DEEP Canada - Board Member

Emily grew up canoeing in Temagami, first with her family and later with Northwaters & Langskib, where she took her first trip at 11 years old. Her love for wilderness travel led to many summers paddling the remote lakes and rivers of Ontario, western Quebec, and northern Manitoba. She spent over a decade with the organization, first as a participant and later as a guide and program director, leading extended expeditions through remote regions and mentoring young people in leadership, resilience, and outdoor skills.

Her passion for experiential education led her to Thompson Rivers University, where she completed the Adventure Guide Program, developing a strong foundation in technical outdoor skills, risk management, and group leadership. She later earned a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Community Engagement from the University of Victoria.

Emily has since built a career in outdoor education and leadership, working as a wilderness guide, program director, and risk manager. She currently serves as the National Risk and Safety Manager at Outward Bound Canada, overseeing field safety and organizational risk management.

When she’s not working, Emily enjoys trail running, taking pottery classes, learning ASL, and dancing with a local performance company. She lives in Victoria with her partner and their two dogs and volunteers at the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, supporting survivors of sexual violence.

Rob Jussup

DEEP CANADA - Board Member

Rob is currently Head of Mid Market Sales for AgilityPR Solutions, which provides media monitoring software to Fortune 1000/500 companies. He credits his numerous years in the Temagami backcountry for giving him a foundation in leadership and organizational development. The profound impact of the mentors, peers and NWL community has inspired him to support DEEP's mandate of providing barrier-free outdoor experiences for all children and youth. Rob currently resides in Ottawa, Ontario, with his partner Julia and their three boys: Will, James and Hudson. He continues to indulge his outdoor passions as an avid paddler and runner.

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Takama Saeki

DEEP USA - Board Member

Takama began tripping at Northwaters and Langskib in 2011. Since his first trip, he found the desire to learn new skills, both within the outdoor world and inner self, grew. This eventually led him to become a guide at Northwaters and Langskib. During the off-season, Takama expands his knowledge by working in the trades.

Takama lives outside of Elizabethtown, NY working for a heating and plumbing company. Takama holds a BA in Archaeology from SUNY Potsdam and minors in Anthropology and GIS.

Hannah Sourisseau

DEEP CANADA - Board Member

Hannah began paddling with Northwaters in 2011, and has since returned every summer, first as a participant and currently as a guide. She is passionate about outdoor education and backcountry travel and believes in their ability to inspire, empower, and build community; as such, she is committed to enabling others to plan, dream, and pursue their own adventures. Hannah completed a degree at the University of Ottawa in English Literature and Religious Studies before pursuing a Master’s Degree in English Literature at the University of Victoria. A recent graduate, Hannah now lives and works on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot, Tsuut’ina, and Stoney Nakoda First Nations in Calgary, Alberta, where she spends her free time hiking, backpacking, and reading.

Lucas Dennison

DEEP USA - Board Member

At 13 years old, Lucas spent his first of 8 summers at Northwaters & Langskib where the beauty of Temagami and its surrounding rivers sparked his passion for the outdoors. After leaving Northwaters & Langskib, Lucas graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Business Marketing. Lucas spent 8 years working at R/GA, one of New York City’s leading digital advertising agencies where he worked on a number of technology, financial services, and consumer accounts. Lucas led production for the Global Sports Venture Studio, a platform built to help drive innovation in the sports ecosystem.

Lucas currently works at the NBA as a Strategic Partnerships and Operations Director, where he focuses on growing the NBA audience through important media partnerships.

When he’s not working, Lucas spends his time exploring the world, snowboarding, and golfing with family. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Janie, and their black lab mix, Maverick.

John Bowie

DEEP USA - Board Member

John spent 17 years in Temagami, 7 as a participant and then 10 years as a leader. He left an indelible mark on NWL and changed many young peoples’ lives while also training a future generation of leaders.

John is currently a Senior Director at Kearns & West, where he delivers research and writing services focused on sustainability, data privacy, safety, hazard mitigation, and emerging policies. He is also an accomplished author, publishing his first book, The House of the Curious, in 2018. It’s the first of four books in the series.

John served as the Commissioner on the Utility Advisory Commission for the City of Palo Alto, advising on the acquisition, development, and financial review of electric, gas, and water resources

John holds a B.S. in biochemistry from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, an M.A. in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, and a J.D. from Pace University. Like his wife, he loves collecting degrees.

John currently resides in New York City, with his partner, Deshka, and their children, Wolf and Kiana.