Karen Griffard Putz

Karen Griffard Putz is an international speaker, author, and passion mentor whose life story is defined by resilience and a commitment to living fully. Born with normal hearing, she grew up hard of hearing due to a gene present in her family for five generations. Putz learned to barefoot water ski at age 17, but two years later, a fall while attempting to cross the wake left her completely deaf. Adjusting to life as a newly deafened individual was a difficult transition. She went on to earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in counseling, using her experience to help others navigate new life paths.

Decades after her accident, Putz returned to adaptive sports. At age 44, she resumed barefoot water skiing, becoming the only deaf woman to compete in barefoot water ski competitions. She trained with two-time world champion Keith St. Onge at the World Barefoot Center in Winter Haven, Florida. Putz skied competitively for four years, training with top barefoot water skiers and mastering barefoot skiing forwards, backwards, and on one foot. Her return to the sport also sparked a personal transformation as she emerged from depression and lost 32 pounds. Her comeback story led her on a quest to barefoot water ski in all 50 states.

Putz is an author whose books span sports, parenting, and personal development. She is the author of "Barefoot Water Skiing: From Weekend Warrior to Competitor," "The Parenting Journey: Raising Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children," "The Passionate Lives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing People," and co-authored "Gliding Soles: Lessons from a Life on Water" with Keith St. Onge. She is also the author of "Unwrapping Your Passion: Creating the Life You Truly Want." Her personal story is featured in "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Happiness."

Known as The Passion Mentor, Putz delivers keynotes and workshops internationally on passion, leadership, and overcoming adversity. She addresses topics such as leadership, nonprofit management, overcoming adversity, and the experiences of individuals with different abilities. Putz has been featured on the TODAY Show, CNN, O Magazine, MORE Magazine, espnW, AARP, and the Chicago Tribune. Her story appears in the documentary film "I'm Fine, Thanks" and on PBS via Growing Bolder in "A Mom Who Walks on Water." She has been recognized as a HearStrong Champion, a Top Twenty Deaf Pearl, and received the Hot Mommas Award at the George Washington University School of Business.

Beyond the stage and water, Putz is an advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing community. She serves as a board member and Director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infusion at Hands & Voices, a parent-driven organization supporting families with deaf and hard of hearing children, and is the founder and former president of the Illinois chapter of Hands & Voices. Putz also co-founded the Deaf Senior Services Coalition, a nonprofit focused on making housing and health care accessible for those 55 and older whose primary language is American Sign Language. Her life and work demonstrate that passion has no age limit and that it is never too late to rewrite one's story.