BLACKSBURG — Warm Hearth Village is celebrating the accomplishments of one of its own.
In October, Karen L. Hanks introduced her inaugural book, “In Her Shoes – Walking the Leadership Walk.” Drawing on her lifelong love of shoes as a metaphor for leadership, the book invites readers to explore what it means to lead with purpose, authenticity, and integrity.
“Years ago, my team began comparing my shoes—which I just love—to different leadership traits and values,” Hanks said. “That was the spark for this fun and meaningful book, and another way I can pay it forward.”
The book uses the language of footwear—from soles that represent values to styles that reflect intention—to guide readers through the journey of becoming a thoughtful and effective leader. Hanks brings more than four decades of executive experience to her writing. Raised in a small, segregated town in Virginia, she came of age at a time when career paths for women were limited. Encouraged by her parents to pursue curiosity and self-reliance, she earned multiple degrees in business, business education, organizational development, and an Executive MBA.
Her career includes senior leadership roles at Cargill and other Fortune 500 companies, as well as service on numerous U.S. and international boards. She currently serves on the Warm Hearth Board of Directors and The Warm Hearth Foundation Board of Trustees.
Karen’s close relationship with and appreciation of employees acting in caregiver roles for various members of her family at Warm Hearth Village has inspired her to find additional ways to support the nonprofit organization. In addition to donating proceeds from the sale of her book, she has established the Karen L. Hanks Leadership Endowment & Fund as a way to provide support to Warm Hearth’s President and CEO in training and developing leaders to carry the important work and mission forward. With an eye toward sustainability of this treasured community, Hanks plans to fund the endowment through a life estate gift of her home at WoodsEdge.
We are so fortunate to be the beneficiary of her leadership and foresight in ensuring the sustainability of Warm Hearth Village and its advocacy, innovation, and caring for seniors now and in the future,” said Tambra Dixon, V.P. of Philanthropy and Strategic Growth.
Warm Hearth
