Dineo Dowd

Dineo Dowd is a South African-born author, outdoor adventurer, and founder of Wisconsin Adventure Family. When her daughter was born, she couldn't find picture books showing kids of color hiking and camping, so she wrote them: The Dowd's Adventures series, The Magic of Wisconsin's Four Seasons, and I Am Emily, the true story of Emily Ford's 1,200-mile winter hike on Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail.

Dineo has summited Mount Kilimanjaro three times, leading a group of 20 climbers to the top in 2022, and raises funds for digital libraries in South African schools. Named one of Wisconsin's 48 Most Influential Black Leaders in 2021, she has been featured by PBS Wisconsin's Wisconsin Life, Spectrum News, WKOW, and Madison Magazine, and has given keynotes on outdoor wellness.

Dineo is available for school visits, author talks, and keynotes. Her message: the outdoors is for everyone.