Sasha Griffith
Sasha Griffith is a leader in experiential and adventure education based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she serves as Associate Director for Program & Assessment at James Madison University. With a professional background spanning nearly two decades, she began her journey in outdoor and experiential learning as a ropes course facilitator and student worker, eventually discovering her passion for helping individuals better understand themselves and their interactions with others through hands-on, experience-based learning. Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and a Master’s degree in Training and Development from East Texas A&M University.
Throughout her career at James Madison University, Sasha has played a pivotal role in building and expanding the university’s adventure and recreation programs. She joined JMU when its challenge course program was still in its early stages and helped develop it from the ground up—designing systems, training student staff, and later helping establish a full adventure center complete with climbing walls, rental programs, and structured outdoor experiences. Over the years, she has held multiple leadership roles, including Coordinator of Adventure Programs and Assistant Director, ultimately advancing into her current role where she oversees multiple program areas such as adventure education, intramural sports, sport clubs, fitness, and group exercise.
Beyond her institutional work, Sasha is also an entrepreneur, consultant, and speaker. As the founder of Ferelith Consulting, LLC, she designs and facilitates leadership retreats and experiential workshops focused on connection, reflection, and team development. She is an active contributor to the broader outdoor education community, including leadership roles within the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE), where she has helped guide the field through periods of growth and change. Guided by the belief that success principles are universal, Sasha’s work centers on helping people grow through connection, challenge, and intentional experiential learning.
• Leave No Trace Instructor
• Level II Challenge Course Practitioner
• Level 1 Intro to Kayaking Instructor Certification
• Intermediate Archery Certication
• First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor
• Wilderness First Responder
• Level 2 Challenge Course Practitioner
• University of Central Florida- B.S.
• East Texas A&M University- M.S.
• Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) - Board of Directors
• NIRSA
• ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology)
• NSLS
• Sigma Alpha Iota
• Pathfinder Local Church
• UCF Pantry
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to relationship-building, authenticity, and consistently leaving a positive impression on the people I work with. I’ve learned that opportunities often come through trust and reputation, and much of my career growth has happened because others recognized my leadership, work ethic, and commitment to building inclusive spaces.
I’ve also come to understand how important it is to show up as my authentic self in every environment, whether I’m facilitating programs, leading teams, or collaborating with colleagues. Being intentional about how I treat people and how I contribute to a community has shaped the path my career has taken.
A major influence on my values and work ethic has been the example set by my immigrant parents. Their hard work, resilience, and perseverance have deeply shaped how I approach my own professional journey, and I carry those lessons with me in everything I do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t underestimate the power of relationships and reputation. Many of Sasha’s biggest opportunities came from connections made through conferences, professional circles, and the way she showed up consistently for others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t undersell yourself. Apply for the role even if you don’t meet every qualification. Many women wait until they feel 100% ready, while others apply at 60%. Be confident in your transferable skills, address growth areas honestly, and trust that leadership potential matters just as much as technical experience.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
When COVID happened, we got a chance to reimagine everything going on with our outdoor program, with our indoor space as a rec center, and also trying to nationally navigate helping folks around the country figure out what's gonna happen next with adventure programs. As we saw it, adventure and outdoors kind of blossomed, because people were like, it's the one space I can go that's not my house. The pandemic created both challenges in having to reimagine traditional programming models and opportunities as outdoor experiences became more valuable than ever to people seeking spaces outside their homes.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, integrity, inclusion, and accountability are the values Sasha prioritizes most. She believes in doing good work, following through on commitments, and creating environments where everyone feels welcome—whether that is within a ropes course program, a university department, or a leadership retreat.