Founder of Rooted Wisdom | Scientist | Wilderness Explorer | Empowerment Coach

Dr. Heather E. Daly brings a rare blend of scientific rigor, wilderness expertise, entrepreneurial leadership, and over two decades of facilitation experience to her work with Rooted Wisdom. She earned her Ph.D. in Toxicology from the University of Rochester, where she was recognized with the prestigious Harold Hodge Award for her excellence in research and leadership. She also holds a Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, as well as multiple professional coaching certificates.

Heather has founded and led multiple businesses throughout her career, including the Los Angeles–based nonprofit Courageous Hearts, which was dedicated to empowering individuals to grow, heal, and create meaningful change in their lives. She has also served as an educator and instructor, teaching at the university level and leading community health and wellness initiatives. These experiences have allowed her to integrate her scientific background with her passion for personal development, sustainability, and empowerment.

An avid backcountry adventurer, Heather has spent years exploring wilderness areas solo, often with only her pack, canoe, or kayak for company. She has developed extensive skills as a seasoned solo traveler, whether navigating remote trails, camping in the mountains, or paddling isolated waterways. Her loyal canine companion, Tottie, frequently joins her on these wilderness journeys, making the adventures both grounding and joyful.

Beyond her academic and wilderness credentials, Heather is a seasoned facilitator with over 20 years of experience guiding groups and supporting individuals in empowerment and personal transformation. She has designed and led workshops, university courses, coaching sessions, and community programs that help people clarify their values, build resilience, and create lives of purpose and fulfillment. Her approach combines active listening, holding space, and other evidence-based empowerment practices to ensure that every voice is heard and valued.

Heather is passionate about health and vitality in her own life, maintaining a plant-based diet and a commitment to staying fit, strong, and connected to nature. These values spill over into her work with Rooted Wisdom, where she leads women into the outdoors not only to learn about plants and ecology, but also to experience the physical, emotional, and spiritual empowerment that arises from reconnecting with wild spaces.

At the heart of Heather’s mission is a devotion to helping women step into their strength, find their voices, and rise together. Through Rooted Wisdom, she creates opportunities for authentic connection, self-discovery, and shared adventure—cultivating both individual empowerment and collective resilience.