Our Founders
Kelly English
Kelly English is an accomplished experiential events professional with a dynamic career spanning adventure travel, television production, and corporate event planning. She spent 10 seasons working on the hit TV show Survivor, honing her logistical expertise in high-pressure environments. For 18 years, she led global adventure trips with Backroads, guiding groups through unforgettable journeys.
In 2009, in the heart of the recession, Kelly founded Explore California, now Out of Office Events, a premier events company focused on crafting meaningful, customized experiences. She has worked with both private clients and large corporations, organizing everything from intimate offsites to expansive 1,000-person corporate retreats. Her passion lies in enabling genuine shared experiences while steering clear of forced team-building clichés.
Beyond her professional life, Kelly is an accomplished endurance athlete, having completed over 30 full marathons, climbed mountains across the globe, and cycled through some of the world’s most remote regions. She has even served as the Commodore of a Yacht Club—despite her modest sailing expertise.
Kelly’s true passion is curating itineraries that showcase the very best a destination has to offer, creating moments of discovery and connection for every group she works with.
Jason Stawiski
Jason Stawiski is a master of event planning and adventure travel with over 18 years of experience leading global trips for Backroads. His expertise extends beyond guided travel—he has taken private clients to some of the most remote corners of the planet, curating unforgettable journeys that combine challenge, culture, and connection.
Jason specializes in designing logistically complex corporate offsites that immerse attendees in the essence of a destination. Whether orchestrating a 500-person retreat in a hard-to-access location or crafting a small, intimate experience, he excels at creating environments where lifelong memories and friendships are formed.
An avid outdoorsman, Jason has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, completed 20 marathons, and cycled across the globe. His passion for adventure fuels his ability to design experiences that inspire exploration and personal growth.
Jason’s blend of logistical mastery, outdoor expertise, and thoughtful planning makes him a standout professional dedicated to helping others experience the world in unforgettable ways.