Who We Are
Our Work
We envision a future where nature is woven into childhood to spark learning, joy, and connection—to one another and the natural world.
We’re on a mission to expand access to frequent, high-quality nature experiences for students in Boston.
Through our Nature Days program, we bring public school students and their teachers on weekly local excursions, hiking from their classrooms during the school day to playfully learn outside.
Our Co-Founders
Marie O’Reilly
After a decade working to advance international peace, Marie saw a need to intervene earlier and closer to home. As her children flourished with formative experiences in nature, Marie realized its power to foster self-regulation, empathy, and creative thinking—seeds for peaceful, thriving societies.
As Think Outside's Executive Director, Marie weaves vision, strategy, and action to create pathways to playful, nature-based learning. She leads educational programs, builds partnerships with schools, and stewards organizational culture.
Previously, Marie served as Senior Advisor and Lead Teacher at the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network, where she taught nature-preschool classes and oversaw the network’s largest outdoor preschool at Harvard’s Arboretum. She also led partnerships with public schools, developing Forest Days programs to grow equitable access to nature-based education.
Marie is a certified Forest School Leader. She holds master’s degrees from Columbia University and Dublin City University, and a BA from Trinity College Dublin.
Email: marie.oreilly[at]think-outside.org
Ben Strauss
Ben’s journey to nature-based education began when he saw the transformative effect it had on his two children. Observing their joyful, nourishing experiences at outdoor preschool led to his passionate belief that all children would benefit from high-quality nature education.
As Think Outside's Board Chair, Ben helps to set and refine Think Outside's strategy to further its impact for young students. Ben also builds partnerships, advances development objectives, and helps manage operational needs for the organization.
Ben is formerly a management consultant including at The Bridgespan Group, where he advised nonprofits on issues related to strategic planning, impact analysis, and change management.
Ben holds an MBA from MIT Sloan and a BA in Mathematics from Tufts University.
Email: ben.strauss[at]think-outside.org