Cokie Cox started her 7 Summits journey in 2003 after writing her first ever ‘Perfect Day’ manifesto. Having never climbed a mountain in her life, written on the page was that she’d be climbing the seven summits of the world and founding a non-profit organization to empower and impact women of all ages ‘one summit at a time.’ Now, in 2022, with a 5 of the 7 summits complete, including Denali (2018) and Everest (2021) most of Cokie’s 2003 Perfect Day has come to fruition. The impact of the power of written aspirations and pursuing her passion of climbing has had on Cokie’s life moved her to incorporate the Perfect Day process into her now 26+ year career finance, financial planning and investments. Cokie authored the book, Perfect Day, published in 2017 which chronicles the client successes and Cokie’s journey of life at sea-level and high altitude. Mother to 2 girls, and many others by way of Kilimanjaro summits with her non-profit She CLIMBS, Cokie is a fierce cheerleader of woman’s empowerment and believes that education and altitude are a powerful combination for a life of impact. When Cokie isn’t maneuvering markets and mountains, she loves to short-order cook breakfast for her family, and delivers goat milk for her Grade A goat dairy in Awendaw, SC.

Lisa Thompson is the second American woman to summit K2, the second highest and considered the deadliest mountain in the world. Lisa has also summitted the highest mountain on all seven continents. She is a breast cancer survivor and in 2018 founded Alpine Athletics where she coaches aspiring climbers to reach their mountain goals. Her forthcoming book, Finding Elevation, chronicles her path from novice climber to the summit of K2. She is passionate about proving how strong women are in the mountains and in life!

Kristin Bennett, call name ‘KB’, is the first American woman to claim original ascents of Tharke and Nupla Khang mountains in Nepal, and the third American woman to summit K2. She has also summited the highest mountains on four of the seven continents including Asia (Mt. Everest) and Antarctica (Mt Vinson). KB began her climbing career after over two decades of long-distance running including the 100-mile Himalayan stage race at 15,000 feet in the foothills of the Himalayas. In 2007, after running the Kilimanjaro half marathon and then summiting the mountain, she was hooked on high-altitude sunrises and thin air. She has since summited many high peaks all over the world with highlights such as Aconcagua Cerro (Argentina, 2009), Illimani (Bolivia, 2011), Island Peak, Loboche East (Nepal, 2014), and Ama Dablam (2019). In between running KB Science full time that helps our nation's top scientists realize progress through innovation and education, Kristin spends much of her free time in Nepal, which began in 1998 with a trek to Everest Base Camp. Kristin remains committed to helping the beloved people in Nepal, especially underrepresented women; a steadfast mission for the underserved that she also devotes her life to, the power of women in science. She has worked with Tsering’s Fund since 2014 and is a founding member of Anything is Possible 2022.

Peter Schmieding, D.M.D. is the Founder of Tsering’s Fund. Pictured here with the main characters of the new documentary film “Helambu” he currently is Chairman and President of Tsering's Fund as well as a practicing dentist in Bozeman, MT. His wife Karen Fellerhoff is a retired mountaineer, having been on Everest 4 times. Together they started Tsering’s Fund over 20 years ago to provide help to the underprivileged in Nepal through private donations. They find deserving children, young women and families in Nepal and help change their lives through educational scholarships, medical care and basic living assistance. “An English education can change the life of a young girl, her entire family and beyond. And this great gift can be given for about $600 U.S. dollars a year!” — Pete Schmieding, Founder, Tsering's Fund