Her story shows that determination, continued action, and passion are key ingredients to long-term, sustainable success. Karen’s early corporate career was challenging as she juggled being a single mother but successful as she oversaw the design development and facilities management departments in her corporate environment. Her mother’s sudden, unexpected breast cancer diagnosis caused Karen to shift her focus back to undergraduate school and then to medical school where she met her ex-husband, Mark. When Karen and Mark married, Karen immediately shifted from single mother to happily married in a blended family with five children.