Kara Richardson Whitely is an author, public speaker and adventurer. She took on Africa's highest peak three times and wrote Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds and The Weight of Being. Gorge is being made into a major motion picture by Amazon Studios with Chrissy Metz (who plays Kate on This Is Us) producing and starring as her. She has been featured in The New York Times and on Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS' The Talk and countless other media outlets.

It is now her mission to share her story and inspire others to take bold steps and move mountains in their lives.

Karas’ presentation can be viewed in the Webinar Library located on the whltrust.org member website. Viewing of video will be available for members only after 12.14.2020.

A special thank you to Laura Fero and St. Catherine University School of Nursing for their commitment to health care professions and the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST. Dean Fero encourages us to “find our voice” and “support other women”. St. Catherine University and Dean Laura Fero closely align with the philosophy and 2020 theme of “Together, We Rise.”

With more then 25 years of experience in the health care industry Monica has reflected the vision and mission of the Women’s Health Leadership Trust. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to honor Monica today.

Jeannine has been an impactful leader in developing and supporting other women, both during her very active professional career and now during her equally active retirement. Jeannine is a current and committed mentor in the TRUST’s Impact Mentoring Program and after hearing what her mentees had to say about Jeannine there was no doubt why she was selected for this honor.