Join the Conversation for Senior Leaders

Todd has spent more than three decades in adventure education and collegiate recreation, helping individuals develop their talents and recognize their potential. His early career includes work as a certified instructor, leadership development specialist, and professional athlete in climbing, wilderness travel, and whitewater and open-water paddling. After moving to Portland in 1998, he joined Portland State University in 2002 as its first Outdoor Program Coordinator, drawing on experience from four other university outdoor programs. He led PSU’s nationally recognized outdoor program—recipient of AORE’s David J. Webb Program Excellence Award—before advancing to Assistant Director of Operations and Student Development and later Associate Director following the opening of the Student Recreation Center.

Todd’s leadership continues to shape organizations recognized by both NIRSA and the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, where he serves in faculty and volunteer leadership roles. His work focuses on creating inclusive environments where people build momentum together, navigate challenges with confidence, and sustain growth beyond any single project. He is committed to supporting individuals and teams as they refine their strengths and apply them in meaningful, collaborative ways.

Rachael Finley is the Founder of Rachael Finley Coaching & Consulting, a practice she launched full-time in 2024 after more than a decade in collegiate recreation leadership. Known to many in the NIRSA community as “Roach,” she brings deep experience in coaching, human development, and experiential education to her work with individuals and organizations. Rachael previously served as the Director of Campus Recreation at York College of Pennsylvania and has held roles with Penn State Harrisburg, Loyola University Maryland, Girlventures, Green Mountain College, and the Princeton-Blairstown Center. A lifetime NIRSA member, she also served as the NIRSA National Student Leader in 2008–2009 and completed her coach training through the Co-Active Training Institute.

Rachael’s professional interests focus on leadership development, staff training, coaching, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. A longtime outdoor educator and recreation enthusiast, she has led wilderness trips for more than 20 years and completed a cross-country cycling trip from Virginia to California in 2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Campus Recreation Leadership from James Madison University. Originally from Detroit, she now lives with her wife, Kirstin, and their rescue dog, Luna, where she continues to enjoy staying active and supporting the growth of others.

Pam Watts is the Executive Director for NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, which comprises over 3,250 members on nearly 900 campuses throughout the United States and Canada. A former CPA, Pam joined NIRSA in 2000 and in her tenure with the Association she served primarily as NIRSA's second-in-command until assuming the Executive Directorship in early 2012. She works closely with the NIRSA, NIRSA Foundation, and NIRSA Services Corporation Boards of Directors to actuate the aligned strategic plan of all three entities in service to members. 

Pam is a Certified Association Executive and in her role as NIRSA’s Executive Director she served as the Chair of the Council for Higher Education Management Association’s Steering Committee; as a member of the American Council on Exercise’s Industry Advisory Panel; and on the Advisory Council for the Healthy Campus Initiative in the University of California System.  She currently serves as President of the Physical Activity Alliance, on the Advisory Board for the Institute for Wellbeing at Butler University and is Vice-President of the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification Board of Directors.