Desirée “Jahdaa” Rudder

Desirée “Jahdaa” Rudder is a member of the Breitenbush community and the Healing Arts Team, dedicated to weaving traditional indigenous wisdom with contemporary healing. As a citizen of the Cherokee Nation (Western Band) and a student of diverse spiritual lineages, including 25 years of Buddhist practice and teachings from medicine people in the US, Jamaica, Mexico, and West Africa, Jahdaa views her work as a lifelong commitment to service. She founded Sacred Tools Academy and Happy Spirit Healing Arts as spaces to help others reconnect with their wholeness.

Her approach is grounded in over a decade of retreat leadership and a deep professional background in behavioral health and the healing arts. By integrating her training in Reiki, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Kundalini yoga with shamanic practices and community ritual, she supports individuals in navigating life transitions and healing from dis-eases such as addiction and other life-depleting patterns. Jahdaa is currently deepening her leadership skills through studies in Business Leadership with a focus on Gadugi principles of community well-being, and she remains a committed advocate for employee wellbeing and supporting the “worried well,” those working in helping professions who are experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue.