CLIMBER BLOG: Brooke Fedro

Why I joined SOTSK

In April of 2008, Kenna shared an idea. Climb Kilimanjaro with people who can help lead and guide the water issue. It became my job to give his vision a pulse and strong legs to walk on. It was simple, this was a story that needed telling…an issue that needed light. Little did I know that almost 2 years later I’d be able to look Kenna in the eye and say, “We did it!”

Not only did we bring together amazing minds and immensely supportive partners for a challenge that would test us all, but we did it with grace, with elegance and with a passion to create real change. I know that this is just the beginning…that the water issue is bigger than climbing one mountain, but it has been extremely rewarding to watch a group like ours come together, sacrifice the usual comforts, force our minds and bodies to the limits all in the hopes of making the world a better place.

Directing this project has been a powerful personal and professional accomplishment. I am forever grateful to our staff who made the impossible possible and the climbers who decided this was the cause they wanted to support.

So it all begins with a summit…now is when the story really starts.

- Brooke Fedro

From: Brooke Gardner
Date: April 17, 2008 12:44:11 PM PDT
To: Jay Lavender
Subject: Kenna

Jay,

There is someone I want you to meet…his name is Kenna.  I am working with him on an amazing project he has created.  You should meet…you around for the next few days?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenna

Brooke

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Brooke and I met back in 1998 when we were both assistants at Creative Artists Agency. We kept in touch over the years as we pursued careers in entertainment, linked by a common desire to give back to the world through our jobs and our lives. Brooke’s always been one of my favorite people and has inspired me with the various projects she‘s worked on…Live 8, Live Earth and Andre Agassi’s Foundation. So when I read that email, I knew “amazing project” was an understatement. I wrote her back immediately and said I’d love to meet Kenna. The three of us met a few days later at Urth Café in Beverly Hills where Kenna enthusiastically explained his vision to rally a great group of people to go climb Kilimanjaro and raise awareness for water issues. He asked if I’d come on board as an advisor to help tell the story and I told him I’d do whatever I could to help. Two years later, Brooke Gardner is now Mrs. Brooke Fedro and we’re heading to Kilimanjaro!

- Jay Lavender