meet Your Host
Heather Gastelum – Empowering Women, Leading with Grit
Known as the “Telecom Cowgirl,” Heather Gastelum has spent 30 years as a leader breaking barriers in typically male-dominated roles in the telecommunications and construction industries, specializing in tower portfolio management, operations, and vendor safety programs. With a career spanning major network launches and upgrades for Sprint PCS, Western Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile, she played a key role in building the nation’s wireless infrastructure. Heather holds an Executive Women in Leadership certification from Cornell University and a Building and Leading Effective Teams certification from the Columbia Business School, and multiple construction safety certifications from the University of Washington. Additionally, she is an OSHA Authorized Construction Safety Trainer. She was peer nominated and served on several industry boards, committees, and as a speaker for a number of topics, including STEM for Ignite Worldwide and for the Women of NATE, advocating for women in the field—from tower climbers to CEOs.
Beyond her corporate career, Heather has spent decades mentoring and empowering women and youth. Raised with the expectation to speak up and stand strong, she credits her leadership mindset to a family of strong women and her early years training in California Rangers, where she developed her passion for helping young riders gain confidence through horsemanship. She later dedicated over 15 years to competitive barrel racing and cowboy mounted shooting, hosting clinics to help riders overcome fear and master firearm safety.
Her latest passion project, Cowgirl Capable, was born from her commitment to helping women find their voice and grow their confidence—whether in the boardroom, the saddle, or in self-defense. The women’s-only retreats she created blend firearms training, horseback riding, and personal empowerment, giving participants the skills and mindset to protect themselves and embrace their strength.
Heather’s impact extends beyond the ranch— she spent six years as co-lead of LeanIn at T-Mobile, was a STEM speaker for IGNITE Worldwide, and has been a relentless advocate for women in leadership and safety. Though sidelined from competition after a 2017 accident, she remains dedicated to empowering others, proving that you can be pretty and still be gritty.
Heather and her husband of 30 years split their time between Washington, Montana, and Arizona, embracing the best of the cowgirl lifestyle wherever they go.
Over 20 years ago, she entered the world of Cowboy Mounted Shooting, where speed, precision, and control are tested. She went on to serve as President and Match Director for the Western Washington Mounted Shooting Association, hosting a landmark State Shoot—the first horse event ever held at the Cle Elum Horse Park and the September 11th memorial shoot honoring our mounted shooting veterans. Along the way, she led dozens of clinics across the Northwest, helping riders safely desensitize their horses to gunfire—with a 100% success rate—and introducing countless women to firearms for the very first time.
Unlike many in the industry, Heather didn’t grow up around firearms. Her formal training journey began later in life after surprising her daughter with a trap shooting lesson—an experience that ignited a passion for learning, discipline, and skill development.
Since then, Heather has completed 150+ hours of professional firearms training.
She has trained with some of the most respected instructors in the country through Gunsite Academy, Babes with Bullets, Women’s Outdoor Media Association (WOMA), and private instruction. At Gunsite, she earned a Marksman rating in the intensive 250 Defensive Pistol course two years ago. She has also trained with Team Beretta’s Fabio Spinella and world-class shotgun instructor Nora Martin Ross.
Heather believes deeply that you never “arrive” as a shooter—you commit to continuous learning. She encourages her students to step outside their comfort zone, stay coachable, and train with humility. Growth happens when you’re willing to be pushed.
Today, Heather is a:
- USCCA Certified Instructor (Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals, Women’s Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals)
- NRA Pistol Instructor, Range Safety Officer and a Refuse to Be a Victim® Instructor
Teaching Philosophy
Heather’s teaching style is fun, direct, and grounded in real-world responsibility.
Known for her quick wit and Cowgirl Capable edge, she creates an environment where women feel both supported and challenged. Her background investigating workplace injuries and fatalities in the construction industry shaped her unwavering commitment to safety—because when it comes to firearms, there is no room for shortcuts.
But make no mistake—this is also where confidence is built.
Heather has spent decades mentoring and developing others—from young riders and competitive mounted shooters to women in construction and corporate leadership. Whether she’s handing someone their first pistol or helping them refresh their skills, her goal is always the same:
To help women walk away stronger, more capable, and confident in their ability to protect themselves and those they love.
Firearms, she believes, are more than tools—they are confidence builders, equalizers, and a pathway to personal responsibility.
And yes… they can be serious fun.
Beyond the Range
Heather is the founder of Cowgirl Capable, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on empowering women and youth through confidence, situational awareness, and hands-on training.
She is also the author of the Power Tools & Pony Tails™ children’s book series under her Hard Hat Girls brand—introducing the next generation to skilled trades, construction safety, and strong female role models.
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Highlights
2006 CMSA Ladies 1 Western National Champion
2006 CMSA Ladies 2 World Champion
2008 Washington State Ladies 2 Champion
2009 CMSA Western Regional L3 Reserve Champion
2010 CMSA NW Shootout Ladies 3 Champion
2011 CMSA High Point WA State Champion Cowgirl
2011 NW Regional Ladies 3 Champion
2012 CMSA WWMS Top 5 Sharpshooter
2012 CMSA NW Regional Ladies 3 Champion
*The California Rangers were California’s first statewide law enforcement agency, formed in 1853, to deal particularly with the outlaw gangs troubling the Gold Country during the early 1850s.
While World War II was still in progress, the California State Militia, which was an arm of the Ninth Army Service Command, formed a Junior Mounted Militia to aid the southern sector in local patrol and civil defense duties. This group of juniors was composed of high school age boys and commanded by militia officers. The combination of military science techniques and horse Calvary proved to be a great benefit to the young members, as they developed a high degree of initiative and character. Consequently, a charter was issued by the state of California on February 25th, 1944, designated that this program be continued under the name of the California Rangers and that it be directed by a nonprofit corporation.
Today’s California Rangers wear a uniform similar to the one worn by the 1800s U.S. Calvary. Like the 1800s cavalry, the Rangers have enlisted and officer ranks. Rangers are promoted to higher ranks based on riding development, academics, and leadership development.
Yes, you really can be Pretty and still be Gritty.
