Immerse in nature.
Ideate with community. Design your future.
Welcome to the North Cascades. Some call it “The American Alps”. We call it a mecca for immersive exploration and innovative thinking.
The next Salt+Grit Futures Lab Intensive is here!
After months of planning and rigorous on-site scouting trips (hiking, climbing, kayaking, tasting, meeting and greeting), we meticulously selected the North Cascades as the perfect destination.
Coined "The American Alps", this unapologetically rugged topography exhibits boundless landscapes to inspire limitless thinking.
Salt+Grit Futures Lab Intensive
North Cascades - Winthrop, Washington (USA)
June 23-29, 2026
What is a Salt+Grit Futures Lab Intensive?
A collaborative, in-person collective of diverse individuals who gather in epic destinations to learn and practice innovative design methodologies. Here, we will support and challenge each other through the exploration, ideation, and design of new future scenarios.
Why do you belong at a Salt+Grit Futures Lab Intensive?
You are tired of the conventional...in your work or in your life, or perhaps in both. This is because conventional doesn't work...not well enough, anyway. You are an entrepreneur, an executive, a change-agent, a creative, a dreamer. You are seeking a community that elevates your curiosity, widens your perspective, engages ideation, and inspires you to expand your vision. You want to learn the tools and proven strategic methodologies that will help you design beyond assumptions, fears, and...the conventional. You want to design a future that expands past anything you've already experienced. You are ready to deconstruct barriers, ideate possibilities, and design your future.
How will this location support your innovation?
Natural environments are scientifically proven to regulate nervous systems, aid in the development of new neural pathways, increase creativity, and promote innovative thinking. The North Cascades is an ideal setting. You'll be surrounded by towering peaks, old growth forests, crystal clear waters, and active glaciers. Salt+Grit's Wilderness Guide is ready to lead you to views you can otherwise only experience by plane.
Why is this investment in yourself incredibly valuable?
You will gain expertise in human-centered design and the tools and methodologies, such as design- and futures-thinking, to ideate beyond conventional solutions. You will design with intention. You will become more comfortable in the discomfort of the unknown. You will begin to experience breakthroughs. At Salt+Grit we empower people to explore the possible.
True Immersion
Futures Lab Theme, Itinerary, and Investment
September 22, 2025
We will announce our Futures Lab Intensive theme, the full itinerary, all investment options, and lodging and logistics details.
Enrollment Information
October 5, 2025
Application window opens to the Salt+Grit Community. This is everyone who is currently enrolled on our mailing list. You can join here.
October 19, 2025
Application window opens to the public.
Meet Your Hosts
Jennifer Trezza, Founder + Matt Chalmers, Wilderness Guide
All Salt+Grit Futures Lab Intensives and consulting services are uniquely curated and facilitated by Jennifer Trezza, Salt+Grit’s Founder and professional Human-Centered Design Subject Matter Expert, and Matt Chalmers, Salt+Grit’s Wilderness Guide.
Jennifer earned a master of science in Strategic Design and Global Leadership from The New School’s Parsons School of Design in Paris and New York. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Jennifer holds current certifications from Brown University in Leader as Coach and from Harvard University in Outsmarting Implicit Bias. She has 20+ years of global experience within both public and private sectors.
Matt brings an impressive 30 years of teaching to our team, including former outdoor instruction and mountain guide experience with the Northwest Outward Bound School. He selects and leads all of our hikes and wilderness experiences. Matt is always seeking out “5-fun” adventures on, and off, a rock wall. He’s also known to surprise us with really great trail snacks wherever we go! Matt is Wilderness First Aid certified through NOLS.