ABOUT

We draw from best practices in high hazard industries to provide expert training & consulting for outdoor professionals. Offering proven evidence-based training, practices, and tools for mountain safety operations, Cognition in the Wild brings practical risk management consulting services to outdoor organizations.

Our team consists of highly trained professionals with years of experience in outdoor safety operations. We partner with experts in specialized operations (mechanized guiding, avalanche forecasting, ski resort for example) to customize our programs and advice to guide and support operational excellence.

OUR TEAM

LAURA MAGUIRE

Founder & Principal Consultant

Laura has over 20 years in risk management and safety systems design in outdoor environments. She has worked with mountain safety professionals and their organizations to develop, refine, and innovate on how they manage risk in highly dynamic work.

She has a M.Sc in Human Factors & Systems Safety Design and a PhD in Integrated Systems Engineering.

She is an avid backcountry skier, climber, and paraglider - testing new theories of risk identification and mitigation through her own pursuits. She lives and plays in the Pacific Northwest.

MORGAN REYNOLDS

Consultant

Morgan has extensive experience leading outdoor adventure trips and practical, in-the-field experience with risk management.

She holds a PhD in Integrated Systems Engineering and works collaboratively with outdoor organizations to improve safety and enhance operations.

YVONNE POMMIER

Trainer

JOLENE POLLOCK

Scheduling & logistics

Yvonne is a distinguished operations strategist and leader with more than twenty years of experience directing complex field organizations. Having scaled both public-sector facility operations and her own successful commercial enterprise, she has built a reputation for transforming ordinary workgroups into synchronized, high-reliability units.

In her training sessions, she equips learners with core Crew Resource Management frameworks, teaching teams how to elevate safety standards, streamline workflow execution, and minimize operational risk through superior communication and mutual trust.