About Us
About Evolve Academy
​Founded as an extension of the Evolve umbrella, which began with Evolve Camps and Evolve Tours in 2006, Evolve Academy was created to make experiential learning and fun accessible to youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity. Built on years of experience in action sports, camps, and educational travel, Evolve Academy focuses on removing barriers so young people can learn, grow, and explore through meaningful experiences.
By working alongside established partners, municipalities, and community organizations, Evolve Academy helps turn funding into real impact. From local action sport programs to immersive travel experiences, we aim to open doors for youth across Canada and beyond, giving them access to environments that foster confidence, curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning.
Board of Directors
Evolve Academy is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with experience in youth development, inclusion and wellbeing, education, community partnerships, and nonprofit governance.
Jeff Richmond - Board Co-Chair
Jeff Richmond is a long time leader in youth sport, outdoor education, and action sport programming, with over two decades of experience supporting safe, inclusive, and well governed youth initiatives.
As Co Director of Evolve Academy, Jeff provides strategic oversight informed by his leadership experience with Evolve Camps and Evolve Tours. He brings a strong background in program governance, risk management, staff training systems, budgeting, and regulatory compliance, helping ensure programs are delivered responsibly and in alignment with nonprofit best practices.
Jeff has worked closely with schools, municipalities, sponsors, post secondary institutions, and community organizations to expand access to youth programming, strengthen learning outcomes, and support equitable participation. His experience contributes to Evolve Academy’s ability to oversee partnerships, manage risk, and advance long term youth development outcomes.
Daniel Rinzler - Board Co-Chair
Daniel Rinzler is a long time leader in youth development and experiential education, with nearly two decades of experience supporting youth focused programs that emphasize learning, inclusion, and responsible program delivery.
As Co Director of Evolve Academy, Daniel provides strategic and governance oversight informed by his experience founding the Evolve brand in 2006 and leading youth camps and educational travel programs across Canada and internationally. His background includes program governance, partnership development, sustainability focused planning, and long term organizational leadership.
Daniel has worked with schools, community organizations, and international partners to design and oversee experiential learning opportunities that support youth growth through real world experience and cultural exchange. His experience contributes to Evolve Academy’s ability to guide partnerships, maintain program quality, and align mission driven work with responsible nonprofit governance.
Jason Wexler - Director of Programs and Youth Development
Jason Wexler is a longtime leader in youth programming and nonprofit governance, with over 15 years of experience supporting safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate programs for children and youth.
He holds a Master’s degree in Applied Disability Studies and has worked extensively with children on the autism spectrum, bringing a strong understanding of inclusion, accessibility, and individualized support into youth program oversight. His background informs a thoughtful, evidence informed approach to program design and youth wellbeing.
Jason brings significant leadership experience from his role as Director of multiple youth camps, including Sunny Acres Day Camp, Camp Tournesol, and Evolve Camps. Across these programs, he has overseen large scale operations focused on staff training, program quality, child safety, and positive youth development.
In addition to his professional experience, Jason has served on the Board of Directors for Dollard Amateur Baseball, contributing to nonprofit governance, community sport development, and organizational oversight. As a board member of Evolve Academy, he provides strategic guidance related to youth programming, accessibility, and long term program sustainability.
Tara Willamson- Director of Inclusion and Youth Wellbeing
Tara Williamson is a youth development professional with over 15 years of experience supporting children and youth through structured recreation, travel, and community based programs.
She is HIGH FIVE certified and has previously worked in youth programming with the YMCA, bringing a strong foundation in child safety, inclusion, and quality standards in recreation. Tara currently works with Evolve Tours in Trip Coordinaton, where she supports the planning and oversight of youth travel experiences with a focus on participant wellbeing, accessibility, and program consistency.
Across her roles, Tara has contributed to youth programs that emphasize safe participation, positive development, and inclusive environments. As a board member of Evolve Academy, she brings valuable insight related to youth care, inclusion, and program quality oversight, helping ensure programs are designed and supported with the needs of diverse youth in mind.
Drew Fraser- Director of Education and Experiential Learning
Drew Fraser is an educator and youth development leader with extensive experience in experiential learning, action sports programming, and mentorship. He is an Ontario Certified Teacher, bringing a strong understanding of child development, learning outcomes, and safe instructional practices to his governance role.
Drew has nearly 30 years of experience in skateboarding and has worked across a wide range of youth focused environments, including camps, community programs, and international settings. His background includes both instructional leadership and program oversight, with a focus on creating structured, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young people.
He currently supports youth programming through his leadership roles with Evolve, where he has contributed to program development, staff training frameworks, and quality assurance for action sport based programs. In previous roles, Drew has worked with nonprofit and community organizations to mentor youth leaders, develop inclusive programming, and strengthen community based sport initiatives.
As a board member of Evolve Academy, Drew provides education informed oversight related to experiential learning, youth engagement, and program quality, helping ensure supported programs align with best practices in youth development and learning.