Leadership
The DEEP Board of Directors is dedicated to providing outdoor adventure programs for everyone. Our 100% volunteer board spans across both Canada and the United States, bringing our values and unique talents to the organization. All of us have a long history with Northwaters & Langskib as former participants, tripping staff, and even administrators.
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.
Colby Dennison
DEEP USA - Board Member
As a teenager and college student, Colby spent his summers up at Northwaters & Langskib both as a participant and a leader. He learned how to identify and mold future leaders, and he honed a skill for problem-solving. He is currently a co-founder and COO of Proto, an innovation consultancy that helps companies find new growth. He focuses on creating scalable systems and bringing in world-class talent to deliver unique solutions to big challenges. Before this role, Colby spent over 8 years at R/GA, a world renowned digital agency and consultancy. He has extensive experience leading innovation and digital platform engagements with Goldman Sachs, Samsung, Intel, Nike and MakerBot amongst others. Colby also led the global marketing team for 3D printing expert MakerBot, launching multiple hardware and software products.
Colby is a graduate of Hamilton College with a B.A. in Economics. He lives in New York City with his wife, Jamie, and daughters, Waverly and Georgie.
Liv Pedersen
DEEP USA - Board Member
Liv spent 11 wonderful summers up at Northwaters & Langskib, beginning as a participant and then leading trips for another seven years. Liv is passionate about outdoor adventure and its power to provide life-changing experiences for young people.
Professionally, Liv has helped build brands at some of the largest advertising agencies in the US. She’s currently a Vice President Creative Director at JPMorgan Chase, where she helps make award-winning commercials. She has also served as a DEEP board member for the past decade, including a stint as USA President, during which she led numerous fundraising efforts for the organization she’s so passionate about.
Liv earned her B.A. at Syracuse University (Go Cuse!) and her M.F.A. at Savannah College of Art and Design (Go Art!). She lives in Richmond, VA with her husband, Craig, and their son, Jack. They enjoy cooking, the outdoors, snagging a spot on the nearest beach, and traveling the world together.
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.
Emma Jerrehian
DEEP USA - Board Member
Emma spent a decade at Northwaters & Langskib, first as a participant, and then as a canoe trip leader. She has committed her life to youth education and wants to empower young people as they build the skills and confidence necessary for an impactful life. Emma holds a Master’s degree in human learning and development from the University of Colorado and a B.A. in political science from Colorado College. She is currently living and working in Philadelphia area as a third grade teacher at National Heritage Academies.
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.
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.