Alison Levine began climbing mountains in 1998, 18 months after her second heart surgery to repair
a life-threatening heart condition. In between starting business
school and starting a career with a top Wall Street firm, Alison “accidentally” scaled the highest
peak on each of 6 continents. Over the next several years as she continued to climb the corporate ladder, Alison also pushed her limits on the world's highest peaks and soon became one of the most experienced female mountaineers in the country. In 2002 Alison was invited to serve as the team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, a history-making climb that would test her determination, endurance and judgment. An avid explorer an adventurer, Alison also traveled across the Arctic Circle on skis for more than 100 miles to reach the top of the world -- the geographic North Pole.
Alison’s expeditions have been documented by more than 450 media outlets. She has made numerous appearances on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, Fox, ABC News, CBS’ Evening News, and other national programs. Her story has been the subject of articles in Oprah Magazine, National Geographic, Lifetime Magazine, Sports Illustrated Woman, Outside and other publications. Alison has earned many honors for her achievements and her ability to overcome adversity, including the Courage in Sports Award from the Anaheim Angels.
Ms Levine’s 18-year business career encompasses healthcare, technology and finance. After earning her MBA from Duke University she went to work for one of the top investment banks on Wall Street. In 2003 she left Wall Street to serve as Deputy Finance Director for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his successful bid to become Governor of California.
Alison is the founder of the Climb High Foundation , a nonprofit that helps women who are struggling to survive in developing countries by training them to work as trekking guides and porters in their local mountains.
Alison recently returned from an expedition to the war-torn areas of Uganda and the Congo where she and her climbing partner organized the first group of local Ugandan women to work as porters in the Rwenzori Mountains. She is currently producing a documentary film that follows these women and their struggle to balance traditional values with their desire to compete with men for jobs in the mountains.
