Lorene Wapotich is the Founder of Feet on the Earth Programs, a nonprofit organization specializing in community-based, wilderness Rites of Passage for youth. Her passion for empowering women and girls has led her into an exploration of how societal constructs of gender affect self-esteem and positive gender identity formation in girls, boys and non-binary identified youth. Inspired by her deep connection with nature and Spirit, Lorene has spent more than 25 years leading and developing nature-based programs for youth and adults that help them build meaningful relationships with the natural world and their true selves within a supportive community environment. Lorene holds a Bachelors degree in Wilderness Leadership and Natural History Education from Prescott College and a Masters of Education from Lesley University. Her masters program research focused on girls’ development, nature-based education and rites of passage, and her thesis highlights best practices for creating nature and community-based rites of passage for adolescent girls. Lorene recently completed her first book, a memoir about her healing journey, and is currently working on a series of books for girls about honoring their bodies, minds, hearts and spirits.