Dawn grew up in New Jersey and embarked on a conventional path, studying accounting in college with the goal of pursuing a clear, structured career. Even then, nature remained a quiet but steady influence. Childhood trips to national parks had sparked a fascination with wild places, and that pull never faded. Her first visit to Alaska more than a decade ago sparked an epiphany: a 9-to-5 desk job was not her dream.

Soon afterward, she enrolled in the International Wilderness Leadership School, where she trained in sea kayaking, whitewater rafting and wilderness medicine. In nature, she found a sense of belonging that had eluded her elsewhere—an experience that affirmed her choice to become a naturalist guide. Since then, Dawn has guided travelers through some of the world’s most remarkable natural environments, bringing calm, modest expertise rooted in a deep respect for the places she shares.

In the off-season, she lives with her husband on the edge of Apalachicola National Forest in rural Florida, where they run an animal rescue. Together, they have fostered more than 100 dogs through local organizations, focusing on animals recovering from neglect. They also volunteer with the Freedom Run, helping transport dogs from the South to adoptive homes in the Northeast.