A platform for change.
Visualizing the world where animals, people and the planet all thrive, and our actions today create a legacy of well-being and harmony for generations to come.
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Heaven on Earth :: Animal Retirement Sanctuary
Current Status: In Operation! With over 100 rescue and retired farmed animals in our care.
Looking for impact donations that support our vision, and help the organization be a sustainable non-profit with a lasting impact for decades to come.
Our dream is to create a healthier planet, people & animals by using the sanctuary as a platform for change through education and connection with animals.
Funding for current programs (apx $575K/yr) and improvements and upgrades to pastures (new horse run), power and heated water access to each shelter for medical needs and winter climate.
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Heaven on Earth’s mission is to provide a loving final home for farmed and rescue animals to retire and grow old. Our dream is to create a healthier planet, people & animalsby using the sanctuary as a platform for change by fostering a world where animals, people and the planet all thrive.
Heaven on Earth is a platform for change. Providing sanctuary for animals in need, while addressing eight critical UN Sustainable Development Goals, to promote a healthier planet, people, animals and all living things.
When you join our movement, you become a true Possibility Thinker. Impacting the world, one cute and extremely grateful, rescued animal at a time.
Learn more about our work and impact fund at: www.heavenonearthsanctuary.org
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Sustainability Center
Current Status: In Design.
Looking for funding to execute building the center and yurt system on my current property, and then hire educational coordinators to develop programming which will be taught/led by external experts who are innovating in the fields of biodiversity, climate, energy, farming, forestry, oceanography and sustainability.
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Hands on, experiential learning focused climate change through the fields of Oceans, Forests, Farming and Energy. Emphasizing that our actions today can create a legacy of well-being and harmony for generations to come.
Off-the-grid classroom at Hugging Cedar Forest on San Juan Island, WA. Barn structure with top floor kitchen for group gathering over food, four classrooms on main floor, each focused on one main sustainability area; Oceans, Forests, Farming and Energy.
Kitchen garden planted for meals and education. Eight to ten yurts surrounding the learning center, each with composting toilet and small shower and can sleep 4-8 each.
Target is youth and school groups, although adult groups will be welcome.
Special guests will teach on the four main focus areas. Local and nearby experts will include Oceanographers, First Nations people, experts in Biodiversity and Forestry, Nutrition and Plant-based living and Agriculture impacts. Plus experiences with Farmed animal sanctuary tours, Equine therapy sessions, Kayaking tours, Animal yoga, Forest bathing and meditation.
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Equine Therapy Center
Current Status: Designed.
Looking for funding to execute building the arena, shelter and fencing for the track-system trails on my current property.
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Arena and track trail system, designed for horse and human happiness and health.
A beautiful outdoor arena for Heaven on Earth Animal Sanctuary horses to work with Sustainability Center and Retreat Center guests for their equine therapy sessions at Hugging Cedar Forest.
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Possibility Thinker Retreats
Current Status: Designed.
Waiting for bandwidth to plan the first retreat as a prototype, and then charge for ongoing retreats.
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Small gatherings of women who want to make the world a better place.
Come to San Juan Island, WA, to listen, collaborate, share, dream and support each other. Chef prepared plant-based meals onsite at beachfront gathering home, and lodge accommodations nearby. Activities include meals together with idea sharing themes, animal yoga, forest bathing, body scans and meditation, equine therapy, forest nature walks, paddle boarding, cold water plunging and hot tubbing.
Guaranteed inspiration.
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Possibility Thinker Podcast
Current Status: Designed.
Ready to hit go as soon as bandwidth and funding allow.
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The podcast will feature me interviewing a diverse range of women each week to talk about (giant) failures as the path to success. Each week guarantees an hour of insight and inspiration and a range of role models to choose from. Target audience is women of all ages who want to think bigger about what is possible for themselves.
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Leadership Book
Current Status: In Progress!
Book release goal is early summer 2025
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The book tells stories about my entrepreneurial journey through the high peaks of success and the deep valleys of failure. Visionary thinking, belief in the possible, high risk, big rewards. The book will include a practical framework that anyone can use to improve culture and interactions with employees, friends and family. Other themes include, user centered leadership, taking healthy risk and the art of Possibility Thinking.
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Retreat Center
Current Status: In Design.
Waiting for property purchase, viability and funding/investment plan to building the lodge and yurt system.
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I have a very clear vision for how this business will be a differentiated and a highly sought after destination. A portion of the profits will be donated to the animal sanctuary and other projects/organizations that are connected to the retreat center.
The Retreat Center will be located on the property to be purchased adjacent to the Sanctuary. The 5 acre parcel of land that corners San Juan Dr and Zepher Lane, with access from Zepher lane.
Lodge atmosphere nestled in a 5 acre forest on San Juan Island, three minutes from the beach on the crystal clear Pacific ocean.
Barn style center with large open, configurable space on the main floor, and industrial kitchen with giant long gathering table for meals on the second, loft floor.
Accommodations are well appointed glamping style yurts in the woods, joined by walking paths. Each yurt has a composting toilet and shower.
Perfect for gatherings, corporate retreats, sports team retreats, weddings, yoga retreats, specialized groups.
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Girls Can Do :: Event & Speaker Series
Current Status: Paused.
Girls Can Do was very active from 2014 thru 2018. It is currently on hold due to lack of funding. My goal is to revitalize the event series and also work in collaboration or partnership with my animal sanctuary holding girls retreats/events, and also collaborate with my Possibility Thinker podcast. Ideas include creating a mentoring retreat with girls and the women speaking on the podcast
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The original Girls Can Do speaker series inspired over 4,000 girls who were in attendance at live events in Seattle and Washington DC. Quotes from girls include “Best day of my life.”
Mission: Inspire a POSSIBILITY THINKER generation & ignite a vision for equal opportunity. To encourage young women to have big dreams and pursue them. To believe that anything is possible.
The purpose of Girls Can Do is to host events around the country and the world, at low cost for young women and girls. Our events are special days where girls come to engage, connect, and share experiences with amazing women speakers who are pursuing their dreams. At each event we offer access to dozens of year round programs through our Girl Partner Network. These programs are the “next steps” for the inspired POSSIBILITY THINKER.
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Life (in pink)
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Keynote Speaking
Karen is an engaging, energetic and inspirational speaker. She is comfortable answering questions in an onstage interview or presenting slides and ideas. Her speaking themes include: Creating a culture of innovation. Building a cultural framework measuring data (not beer.) Women in Tech. Starting, growing and selling a business. The Power of resiliency and possibility thinking. Training to extend your comfort zones. Women’s leadership. Visionary thinking. Design thinking.
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National Women's Business Council: Council Member
The National Women’s Business Council is a non-partisan federal advisory committee serving as an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the President, the U.S. Congress, and to the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration on issues of importance to women business owners and entrepreneurs.
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Blink UX Co-Founder & Former CEO
Founded in 2000 in Seattle, WA, Blink is the world’s leading user experience design company. Karen is the co-founder, former CEO and a current advisor. www.blinkux.com
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St. Margaret's School: Board of Governors Chair
Global leadership school for girls. K-12 independent school. Day and boarding programs, located in Victoria, B.C. Canada.
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Geekwire Article 2024
Blink … and it’s over: After 24 years at Seattle tech firm, Karen Clark Cole has a new user experience. Read article
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Geekwire Article 2020
Longtime UX leader Karen Clark Cole on staying present and learning to tell good fear from bad. Read article
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Sirius XM's Business Radio Interview
2017 Interview where Karen talks with Loren Feldman about designing complex systems through Evidence-driven Design, examples of how voice is changing healthcare for seniors and people with disabilities. She also talks about Blink’s growth plans, including our acquisition strategy, building scalable systems and creating a cultural framework.
…those people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who actually do.
Steve Jobs