Where There’s a WILL, There’s a Way Steve Abraham ’80, ’83L finds fulfillment working with youth in a second career.

Shea Gibbs
January 20, 2025

This article first appeared in the Fall/Winter 2025 issue of W&L: The Washington and Lee Magazine.

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In his 18 years in the courtroom, Steve Abraham’80, ’83L built a distinguished career as a respected and effective commercial trial attorney. His success was rooted in meticulous preparation, unwavering commitment and a genuine passion for excellence.

Over time, Abraham realized he was ready for a new challenge — one that would make a positive, lasting impact in the lives of others and bring deeper fulfillment to his own life.

To challenge himself as he had never been challenged before and to do some meaningful self-reflection, Abraham completed a National Outdoor Leadership School program. During his slightly more than two-week backpacking expedition in the Wind River Range in Wyoming, he climbed to the ridgeline near camp. There, perched at well over 10,000 feet above sea level, Abraham felt totally at peace for the first time in his life.

In that moment, the idea came to him to start a program for youth from underserved neighborhoods using the outdoors/wilderness as a learning crucible, combined with life skills to unleash the potential of the participants. Thus, Wilderness Leadership & Learning (WILL), an experiential learning, youth leadership and life-skills development program, was born.

Abraham credits his time at W&L as foundational to his success and effectiveness in both law and leading WILL. As president of the Executive Committee during his senior year, he embraced the values of civility, integrity and stewardship central to the university’s Honor System. Those same principles are cornerstones of WILL.

When Abraham meets potential WILL youth during the required 45-minute info session, he tells them they have something in them that everyone has, that many don’t see in themselves and that no one can ever take from them: “You have greatness in you, and, in WILL, we are going to shine the light on your greatness so you see it, believe it and achieve it.”

During the year, WILL provides social and emotional support for WILL youth and engages them in more than 335 hours of quality experiential activities that are designed to develop their inherent strengths and decision-making, leadership and life skills. The programs provided to WILL youth (underserved ninth- through 11th-graders in the Washington, D.C., area) include: a ropes course to build communication, teamwork and self-confidence, exploring environmental stewardship and biodiversity on the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac and Anacostia rivers, learning financial literacy and SMART goals, giving to the community through service projects, a scavenger hunt on The National Mall (more than half the questions are in the National Gallery of Art) and a seven-day backpacking, canoeing, caving, rock climbing and repelling expedition.

Abraham has personally led all 50 such expeditions, guiding youth through experiences that expand their horizons and strengthen their resilience.

“There are a lot of wonderful programs in D.C. — and the world — but there are no programs that provide the breadth of opportunities and experience as we do in WILL,” he says.

WILL’s success is a testament to that. It has positively impacted 600 youth, leaving an indelible mark on the Greater D.C. community. It has been recognized annually as one of the region’s best community-based nonprofits by Spur Local (formerly the Catalogue for Philanthropy) since 2012 and has been featured in the organization’s print catalogue multiple times.

“We instill in WILL youth that you get out of life what you put into it,” Abraham says. “When you participate and engage, life is fulfilling.”

For Abraham, stepping away from the courtroom was not the end of his journey but the beginning of something extraordinary. Now, after 21 years at the helm of WILL, he reflects with pride on the lives he’s helped transform: “I can look back and know I’ve truly made a difference.”