Doty Shepard earned a Master of Arts degree specializing in cultural transformation and support for youth and families, then worked in that field for the next 20 years. In 2018, Doty co-created Resilient Colorado, a nonprofit based in Mancos, Colorado where she makes her home. Though initially established to serve the Western Slope of Colorado, under her leadership as Executive Director, Resilient Colorado has achieved international reach.

Doty champions well-being in rural communities and specializes in educating these communities and those who serve them about the impacts of trauma on individuals (brains, bodies, behaviors) and on systems (family, educational, healthcare, business, government, and more). She expertly communicates brain-based ways to enhance and sustain personal, organizational, and community resilience. Her holistic approach to community wellness extends across multiple sectors, and she has a reputation for breaking down silos and inspiring collaboration. Doty is in demand as a skilled trainer and workshop facilitator, a TEDx speaker, and a consultant for organizations seeking to understand the impact of trauma and infuse trauma-sensitive practices into all that they do.