Danielle (she/her) has always called the natural world her home and greatest teacher. Growing up in Northern Colorado, she spent her life backpacking in the Rocky Mountains, frolicking in wildflowers, and dancing in the rain. The outdoors is where she feels most empowered, and she strives to provide that same experience to others. The earth keeps her youthful spirit alive as she embarks on the next chapter of her life as a LifeWays guide.

Over the past few years, Danielle has connected to the outdoor world in many different ways as a student, educator, and guide. She will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Adventure Education and Psychology from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, in May 2025. Throughout her college experience, she served as a Student Outdoor Leader for Fort Lewis College’s Outdoor Pursuits program, leading college students on various outdoor adventures and deepening their bond with nature. Additionally, she managed the college’s Peer Support program, where students provided one-on-one counseling-style sessions promoting wellbeing on campus.

In her Adventure Education major, she gained experience in leadership, risk management, and group facilitation through a variety of technical and inter/intrapersonal coursework. Her Psychology studies taught her skills in counseling, motivational interviewing, and human compassion. Together, these have empowered Danielle to provide transformative experiences for fellow students and youth alike. She is certified in Wilderness First Responder and Swiftwater Rescue and is working toward her Single Pitch Instructor certification. Danielle strives to promote mental health in the outdoors, always seeing nature as her best healer, and hopes to help those around her find their own unique connection to our beautiful world.

Danielle is deeply appreciative of her time at Fort Lewis College, as it opened her eyes to the uniqueness of humanity. She believes that everyone deserves to find where they belong. She remembers being a young girl beginning her journey in the outdoor industry and quickly noticing the preexisting challenges and stereotypes within a space that should be free of expectations and full of curiosity. After participating in an all-women’s backpacking course, she felt empowered by the strong female role models around her, which inspired her to explore social inequities in the outdoor industry and break down barriers for historically marginalized groups.

In college, she developed an Equity & Inclusion course to educate herself and other outdoor leaders on the importance of social justice in outdoor spaces. She then worked at an all-girls expeditionary camp to inspire young women to get outside and embrace their authentic selves. She also served as a Rock Climbing Supervisor at a summer camp, helping kids see that it’s possible to pursue what they love and learn from challenges—no matter who they are. As she continues to learn from the beautiful people around her, Danielle aims to increase awareness of her own biases and use her privilege to expand access and opportunities in the outdoors for others.