Karen Rispin was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Kenya, East Africa. The daughter of missionaries, Karen enjoyed the opportunities and adventures living in Africa provided. As a teen she climbed Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as camped on tropical beaches and in game parks.Karen's family is centrally important to her. Daughter Jen studied Kinesiology at the University of Lethbridge, and her younger daughter, Jessica is in high school. As a family, they often hike, ride horses, and camp together.