PLAY PODCASTS
From Tragedy to Triumph: Karen Keene on Surviving, Leading & Inspiring Women
Season 9 · Episode 227

From Tragedy to Triumph: Karen Keene on Surviving, Leading & Inspiring Women

In this powerful episode of the She Believed She Could™ Podcast, Allison Walsh sits down with Karen Keene, founder of Athena Next Gen Orlando and national fellow for Everytown for Gun Safety. Karen shares her remarkable journey from building women’s leadership programs to surviving a horrific act of gun violence — and how she turned pain into purpose. This conversation is packed with lessons on resilience, empowerment, leadership, and advocacy that will inspire you to rise above challenges and create meaningful impact.

She Believed She Could™ Podcast · Karen Keene, Allison Walsh

September 23, 202537m 50s

Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (cdn.simplecast.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.

Original episode page

Show Notes

This week, Allison Walsh welcomes the extraordinary Karen Keene, a visionary leader, advocate, and survivor whose story is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring.

💡 As the founder of Athena Next Gen Orlando, Karen has empowered more than 500 women through leadership development, mentorship, and a powerful professional network. With 30 years of experience as a senior marketing executive, Karen has been recognized as Woman of the Year by both Orlando Magazine and Orange Appeal, while continuing to shape the future of women in leadership across Central Florida.

But Karen’s story goes far deeper than professional achievement. In 2020, she survived being shot four times in a devastating act of gun violence that tragically claimed the life of her husband. Through years of recovery, therapy, and advocacy, she has transformed her trauma into a movement. Today, she serves as a national fellow for Everytown for Gun Safety, raising awareness about the intersection of mental health and gun violence prevention across the country.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • How Athena Next Gen became a life-changing program for women leaders
  • The story of survival that reshaped Karen’s mission and purpose
  • Lessons on resilience, courage, and advocacy after unthinkable tragedy
  • Why women’s mentorship, connection, and leadership matter more than ever
  • How Karen continues to create impact and inspire the next generation of women

This is not just a story of survival — it’s a story of leadership, courage, and turning tragedy into transformation.

Memorable Moments

  • “We knew women wanted a safe space to pass the baton to the next generation — and that’s how Athena Next Gen was born.”
  • “When somebody can hold up the mirror and help you see how incredible you are, that’s transformative.”
  • “I was shot four times — and somehow, I lived. My survival became my purpose.”
  • “Mental health and gun violence are intertwined. These conversations must happen in the same space.”
  • “Resilience is built when you take your hardest battles and turn them into fuel to help others.”

 

Resources & Links

Connect with Allison

Topics

women’s leadershipgun violence survivorwomen empowermentkaren keeneorlando women leaderscommunity impactinspiring women storiesresiliencegun safety advocacyallison walsh podcastwomen mentorshipathena next gen orlandoeverytown for gun safetywomen in businessleadership developmentmental health awareness
← All episodes of She Believed She Could™ Podcast