Trail & Error

Heidi S. Bonner, PhD, is a professor, researcher, and late-blooming adventurer who believes it's never too late to start over-or start outside. As Department Chair and Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at East Carolina University, she has spent more than twenty years studying leadership, decision-making, and systems of accountability designed to protect others. Her work has been supported by the National Institute of Justice, the Office on Violence Against Women, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, among others, and has shaped national conversations on public safety, wellness, and organizational leadership.Beyond academia, Heidi is the founder of Rookie Outdoor Woman, a writing and lifestyle platform dedicated to helping Gen X, Boomer, and older Millennial women reconnect with confidence and curiosity through the outdoors. Her essays and guides blend humor, honesty, and practical advice, reminding readers that adventure has no age limit and ""perfect"" is never the goal. Through her Substack and website, she's built a growing community of women who are done waiting for the right time and ready to trade ""too late"" for ""let's go.""Before founding Rookie Outdoor Woman, Heidi spent over a decade leading teams, mentoring students, and consulting for public-safety organizations. She is also the founder of Word Sleuth Copywriting, LLC, where she helps mission-driven companies and public-safety vendors translate their complex work into clear, human-centered stories that connect with the people they serve.Her book, Trail & Error: A Rookie Outdoor Woman's Guide to Reclaiming Life and Confidence After 50, is part memoir, part manifesto, and all heart. Drawing on her experiences as a researcher, leader, and self-proclaimed ""rookie,"" Heidi explores what it means to rebuild identity, rediscover joy, and embrace imperfection-one trail (and error) at a time.When she's not teaching, writing, or testing her gear for Rookie Outdoor Woman, you can find Heidi kayaking, hiking, or planning her next not-entirely-graceful outdoor experiment. Heidi lives in North Carolina, co-parenting her twin sons and proving that curiosity and courage are the best survival skills of all.