Karen Mertes
Lt Col (Ret), USAF
FL, USKaren R. Mertes turned a life altering tragedy into a life purpose with her organization, Fulfill Your Destiny. A car accident in 2007 when she was hit by a very drunk driver (.221) on the interstate traveling over 100 mph was the genesis that led her to start Fulfill Your Destiny that helps people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances. Special consideration is given to survivors living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Karen is an award winning, best-selling author. Karen's book, Plaintiff 101 The Black Book of Inside Information Your Lawyer Will Want You to Know, a #1 Amazon Best Seller and #1 Hot New Release explains in layman's terms how to protect yourself and your family financially before and during the litigation process. It's a must read for every driver!
Karen uses an entrepreneurial business model that she's overlaid onto a non-profit organization, raising money for Fulfill Your Destiny in 11 ways, 5 of which involve her offering a professional service or product for donation. Karen is dedicated to enriching the lives of others by bringing business and community together.
Having designed this proven, successful non-profit organization, WEDU honored Karen and Fulfill Your Destiny with their Be More Entrepreneurial C1 Bank Engaged Philanthropist Award. Some of Karen's other notable honors include being named a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, INSPIRE Woman of the Year for the Iconic Woman Awards, and the Spirit of Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The NHL Tampa Bay Lightning honored Karen as one of their Community Heroes.
As a professional motivational speaker, Karen has shared two of her keynote presentations, 'Life Changing Moments' and 'The Art of Leadership – Views from the Female Commander's C-Suite' with thousands of people across the United States. In her newest presentation, Karen designed 'The Asset Map,' providing people the opportunity to accurately identify and consolidate all essential documents and key assets in an easy and useable reference resource. The Asset Map – Find Your Treasure without the Hunt! All fees for Karen's speaking and consulting engagements are paid directly to the 501(c)(3) tax-deductible non-profit, Fulfill Your Destiny.
Karen is a Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) from our United States Air Force and a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). Having served for over 20 years in the Military Intelligence and Comptroller career fields, Karen is sought after to share key leadership tips she has learned in her Air Force career. Her leadership experience includes having had the rare opportunity to serve as the Commander of two back-to-back Comptroller Squadrons. In an overseas assignment, Lieutenant Colonel Mertes served as a Commander of the Comptroller Squadron also known as Chief Financial Officer responsible for a military base budget in excess of $169 million dollars. Serving at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Lieutenant Colonel Mertes was the only female Squadron Commander (out of 18 Commanders) where she led her Squadron to an "Outstanding" (the top) rating during the 2005 Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Unit Compliance Inspection, the only Squadron to earn an "Outstanding" rating during this inspection; a feat matched in only 4 of 216 comptroller Pacific Air Forces inspection reports since 1970. Karen has been recognized and presented numerous awards throughout her distinguished career including the Major T H Baca Award for her contributions to women in the military.
Karen is featured on the cover as well as in the book: Fearless Women Visions of a New World and received the Fearless Women Award in Los Angeles, CA. Bay News 9 featured her on their Everyday Heroes segment. Karen has also been interviewed on dozens of radio shows nationwide and has appeared on Daytime TV.
Karen R. Mertes turned a life altering tragedy into a life purpose with her organization, Fulfill Your Destiny. A car accident in 2007 when she was hit by a very drunk driver (.221) on the interstate traveling over 100 mph was the genesis that led her to start Fulfill Your Destiny that helps people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances. Special consideration is given to survivors living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Karen is an award winning, best-selling author. Karen's book, Plaintiff 101 The Black Book of Inside Information Your Lawyer Will Want You to Know, a #1 Amazon Best Seller and #1 Hot New Release explains in layman's terms how to protect yourself and your family financially before and during the litigation process. It's a must read for every driver!
Karen uses an entrepreneurial business model that she's overlaid onto a non-profit organization, raising money for Fulfill Your Destiny in 11 ways, 5 of which involve her offering a professional service or product for donation. Karen is dedicated to enriching the lives of others by bringing business and community together.
Having designed this proven, successful non-profit organization, WEDU honored Karen and Fulfill Your Destiny with their Be More Entrepreneurial C1 Bank Engaged Philanthropist Award. Some of Karen's other notable honors include being named a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, INSPIRE Woman of the Year for the Iconic Woman Awards, and the Spirit of Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The NHL Tampa Bay Lightning honored Karen as one of their Community Heroes.
As a professional motivational speaker, Karen has shared two of her keynote presentations, 'Life Changing Moments' and 'The Art of Leadership – Views from the Female Commander's C-Suite' with thousands of people across the United States. In her newest presentation, Karen designed 'The Asset Map,' providing people the opportunity to accurately identify and consolidate all essential documents and key assets in an easy and useable reference resource. The Asset Map – Find Your Treasure without the Hunt! All fees for Karen's speaking and consulting engagements are paid directly to the 501(c)(3) tax-deductible non-profit, Fulfill Your Destiny.
Karen is a Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) from our United States Air Force and a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). Having served for over 20 years in the Military Intelligence and Comptroller career fields, Karen is sought after to share key leadership tips she has learned in her Air Force career. Her leadership experience includes having had the rare opportunity to serve as the Commander of two back-to-back Comptroller Squadrons. In an overseas assignment, Lieutenant Colonel Mertes served as a Commander of the Comptroller Squadron also known as Chief Financial Officer responsible for a military base budget in excess of $169 million dollars. Serving at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Lieutenant Colonel Mertes was the only female Squadron Commander (out of 18 Commanders) where she led her Squadron to an "Outstanding" (the top) rating during the 2005 Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Unit Compliance Inspection, the only Squadron to earn an "Outstanding" rating during this inspection; a feat matched in only 4 of 216 comptroller Pacific Air Forces inspection reports since 1970. Karen has been recognized and presented numerous awards throughout her distinguished career including the Major T H Baca Award for her contributions to women in the military.
Karen is featured on the cover as well as in the book: Fearless Women Visions of a New World and received the Fearless Women Award in Los Angeles, CA. Bay News 9 featured her on their Everyday Heroes segment. Karen has also been interviewed on dozens of radio shows nationwide and has appeared on Daytime TV.
