Meet our Staff & Guides

FOUNDER & CO-OWNER
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I am the founder of Wander Women. I started Wander Women because I appreciate how important it is for us to connect to nature. Nature has been such a healing force in my life, and I want to share that with you! I’m also very proud of the badass team of Wander Women guides who share this sentiment.

I believe in the healing powers of nature and a circle of women. I love the forest floor and the smell of earth worms. I care deeply about protecting and conserving our lands and waters. And, I absolutely geek out over trip planning.

CO-OWNER
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I was raised in Iowa City but did most of my growing up on the trails of Lake MacBride State Park, a secluded natural oasis from big city life. There I saw my first owl, built many a campfire, and learned to appreciate the value and benefits of Mother Natch. Today, I’ve created a career as close as possible to life-long camp counselor and professional plant nerd. I spend most of my time dreaming up illustrious trips to secluded cabins, hunting down rare houseplants, riding my bike fast enough to get the stomach feelies, snoozing inside my tent, cooking food in unreasonable and unnecessary quantities or navigating my canoe. It’s a good life.

EASTERN IOWA COORDINATOR
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I grew up on the South Side of Chicago but spent my weekends exploring the hollows of my family’s land in Driftless Wisconsin. I’d show up to school on Mondays smelling of campfire smoke, with burs in my hair, and with deer mandibles for show-and-tell.

After college, I earned a JD and Master of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law and my first job post-law school took me to Fairbanks, Alaska. I met my husband in Fairbanks, and we adventured under the aurora and the midnight sun with our sled dog, Ayla. In 2011, we moved to Iowa City, my husband being from eastern Iowa, and we’ve since had two kiddos. I’m in-house counsel for a large transportation company, I occasionally write about water quality issues in Iowa, and I’m an Iowa Master Naturalist and Iowa Master River Steward.

When not lawyering, I enjoy spending time with my family outside, particularly at our off-grid cabin northeast of Decorah. I have been an active board member for several conservation organizations, and currently serve as President of the Johnson County Conservation Board.

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’m Giada and this is my first year guiding with Wander Women! I’ve been exploring central Iowa for a few years and enjoy any chance I can get out into nature, no matter the season. I’m working on visiting all of the state parks and breweries in Iowa, and it’s been a fun way to see more of the state!

When I’m not driving or hiking around Iowa; I live in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines with my dog and so. many. house plants. I enjoy identifying plants when I’m out on the trails, and am always looking to learn more nature fun facts to share with others.

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Detroit, Michigan is where my roots and my love of playing outside began. As long as we were outside and home before the streetlights came on, we played as much as we could and imagined we were anywhere. At 7, my mom dropped me off at a Girl Scout summer camp for a week — yes, I was crying — but 5 days later I didn’t want to go home. I was hooked and yep, Mom knew what was best for me. Girl Scouts for the next 14 years exposed me to outdoor life, my first backpacking trip, but also culture, theatre, leadership, volunteering, and access to so many opportunities this kid from a single-parent home couldn’t have imagined. On nothing more than a gut feeling, I left the beautiful state of Michigan to head west for college. Nope, not what you were thinking — Wisconsin. Spending nearly 11 years on the shores of Lake Superior deepened my love for nature, backpacking, and enjoying a simple life. That beautiful lake has magic powers. After a brief stop in Minnesota, my family once again moved for my job, south this time. For the last 15 years, I have proudly called Iowa home and don’t plan on leaving. When not at my day job as a software company executive, you can find me hiking the trails of the Shimek State Forest or Lacey Keosauqua State Park, which are literally at the end of my driveway! I am a lover of snapping pictures, laying in my hammock, traveling to new places, hanging with the family, or chilling on my front porch rocker.

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I am a born and raised Iowa farm girl, who truly fell in love with nature and the great outdoors as a little girl. From running around on the farm all day “exploring” and catching the beautiful countryside sunsets to star-gazing on the roof (sorry mom) and camping on the Mississippi, being outdoors was my “happy place,” even as a kid. Today this love of the outdoors has developed into so much more because I get to share this love and appreciation with my family.

My passion in life is to teach and inspire others to be the best version of themselves. When I am not helping others reach their nutrition and wellness goals (I am owner of Expedition Wellness a local Nutrition Consulting business), you can find me out for a long run on the local trails, hiking, or any kind of outdoor adventure with my family.

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I'm an all-around nature nerd, book-lover, and believer in possibilities! I thru-hiked the John Muir Trail in California in 2019 with my husband Jay, a 250-mile adventure in which we celebrated our sweaty, mosquito-bitten, dusty 25th wedding anniversary, and I earned the trail name Coconut.

A self-described "freedom nester" (my upgraded term for empty nester), I'm the mom of two 20-something outdoor-loving men, and a fur mama to my yellow lab, Tucson. I can be found sauntering around the hills of southwest Iowa, with or without my yoga mat, smelling the flowers, getting muddy, or penning nature poetry.

When I'm not on the trail, I run my own business, Radiant Wellness Solutions, teaching yoga workshops and retreats, coaching, and practicing Reiki. I love to blend seasonal elements into my life and professional work. My passion is supporting others to uncover deep freedom, ease and joy through time in nature, mindful movement, and joyful living!

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I was lucky enough to experience the art of camping at a young age and appreciate the landscape Iowa has to offer. Being born and raised in Des Moines, my goal is to get more POC out on the trails while showing them that one can do so without breaking the bank. Aside from enjoying being on the trail on a crisp fall morning, I also enjoy going to shows, organizing, coffee, craft beer, video games, and anything sasquatch related.

Hi, I’m Clara! I’m Mittzi’s kid. I like crafting with items found in nature and I like snow. I love meeting new mini wanderers and drawing anime. My favorite anime is Demon Slayer.

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Paige is a botanist and environmental educator. In addition to guiding with Wander Women, she is the Adult Education Coordinator at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. When Paige isn’t botanizing you can find her reading, watching her sisters sporting events or chilling with her cats (Potato and Carrot). Paige is passionate about helping all people become comfortable while exploring the outdoors!

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Hello everyone! I am a native Iowan, born and raised in northeast Iowa. Some of my earliest memories include adventures with my family exploring Pike’s Peak State Park, Backbone State Park and Hickory Hills. Over the past 15 years, I have made a decent attempt at adventuring at as many places as possible! These days my favorite places to explore include Ahquabi State Park, Brown’s Woods and Greenwood Park. I am a full-time in-home child-care provider, emphasizing slow living, good eating, and getting outdoors to explore our natural surroundings as much as possible. I am also a part-time photographer, specializing in Iowa landscapes and family photography.

My husband is my best friend and my co-worker. Together we are raising three teenagers and a baby! I choose to simplify the natural business of my life by investing time in my daily connection to the world outdoors. I am a sunset stalker, a rainbow chaser, a cloud creeper, and a wildflower enthusiast! I am also a huge fan of tortoises and turtles, a lover of streaming forest light, and a complete devotee to teaching littles the value of marveling at all living things.