Andi Burgis
-Founder CEO-

In 1990, Ms. Burgis experienced the first format that used a ropes challenge course and experiential based training to develop people. She has never looked back. Considering that format to be a benchmark in her own personal development, she identified and sought it as her purpose to bring the experiential vehicle to groups and individuals as a phenomenal tool for effective personal and professional growth.

In 1997, she founded Challenge U, specifically for the purposes of providing experiential services of team building, leadership training and breakthrough formats for relationship development for groups and individuals.

Working with teams and individuals from companies like Qualcomm, Inc., Anthony Robbins Companies, Genentech, SAIC, Lindora, American Express, The Irvine Company, AOL Time Warner, KPMG, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, The Laguna Beach Police Department, Nokia Phones, Ericson Wireless Communication, Pfizer, and Hamilton Sundstrand Aerospace, has given Andi first hand experience as to the challenges facing the corporate world as it relates to team and people development. This experience combined with a highly developed ability to empower others to learning has made Andi a very effective resource in team and individual growth.

In addition to her expertise in using the vehicle of a ropes challenge course to promote highly effective teams, Andi is currently one of only a few individuals world-wide, certified to lead the powerful leadership simulation, The Samurai Game®. She also is licensed to use the DISC Personal Profile System as a tool to support team success. And her 14 years working in the Arabian horse industry combined with her passion in facilitation, makes the use of Equine Guided programs another area of expertise.

In addition to her work in the corporate field, Andi has recently directed her passion to development and facilitation of multi-day workshops to support women in leadership of self and couples in being in healthily, loving, fulfilling relationships.

Her passion in the field of developing people is second only to her commitment in raising her two amazing sons, Keith and David. And to unwind from the demands of supporting others, she travels the roads on her Harley Davidson.

  Debra Hanson
-Team and Individual Coaching-

Debra Hanson, CPCC, is a personal and business coach who works with others supporting them to grow their business while keeping balance in their life. For the past several years, Debra has coached many business leaders to success. Debra will support you in creating a vision, defining your professional goals and moving into action.

Debra is a graduate of the Coaches Training Institute and works with clients co-actively in coaching. In 2000 Debra founded her life coaching practice working with clients ranging from one-person start-ups to CEO's expanding their vision and developing their teams. Debra's passion working with teams is demonstrated in "team coaching," a group coaching format. Working with teams is extremely rewarding as the dynamic of the team evolves and results are achieved.

Debra is known for her warmth and authenticity in her coaching and inspires action and accountability from those she works with. Her style of coaching is interactive, experiential and establishes trust in a safe environment. Debra is an experienced trainer, facilitator and coach and specializes in personal and professional fulfillment as well as leadership skills.

Debra is a native of Marin County, California where she lives with her husband Jim.

  Keith Boone
-Director of Operations-

Since 2005, Keith has been the Director of Operations for Challenge U. He has spent much of his formative years learning in the personal growth field, facilitating experiential teambuilding programs and growing Challenge U from behind the scenes.

His young, fresh and mature perspective on business and life is what separates him from his peers. He is currently a senior at San Diego State University, pursuing a degree in Financial Services in pursuit of becoming a Certified Financial Planner. When the workday is over, Keith plays an active role in his church and is a world famous horseshoe pitcher.

All Challenge U facilitators have gone through extensive technical and facilitator trainings renewed annually. Each staff member comes from a unique background, set in the arenas of organizational development, coaching, personal growth, education, family and love. Combined, Challenge U staff has over 40 years in the experiential education field. And most important, all Challenge U staff is passionate about working with people to support their success!