Alison Levine is no stranger to risk-taking. She has survived sub-zero temperatures, hurricane-force winds, sudden avalanches, and a career on Wall Street - all without the use of supplemental oxygen.

Ms. Levine was born with a life-threatening heart condition that precluded most demanding physical activities. Her health was so unstable as a teenager that she was not allowed to do basic things such as drive a car or walk up stairs. But 13 years after her initial diagnosis surgery changed her life and climbing stairs gave way to climbing mountains.

Between starting business school and starting a job on Wall Street, Alison Levine "accidentally" scaled the highest peak on 6 continents. As she continued to climb the corporate ladder, she pushed her limits on the world's highest peaks and soon became one of the most experienced female mountaineers in the country. In 2002 she was invited to serve as the team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, a history-making climb that would put her to the test. An avid explorer and adventurer, Ms. Levine also traveled across the Arctic Circle on skis for more than 100 miles to successfully reach the top of the world, the geographic North Pole. Her success is noteworthy given she suffers from Raynaud's Disease, which causes the arteries that feed her fingers and toes to collapse in cold weather, leaving her at extreme risk for frost bite.

More than 450 media outlets have documented Alison Levine's expeditions. She has appeared numerous times 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. She has earned many honors for her achievements and for overcoming adversity, including the Courage in Sports Award from the Anaheim Angels.

Ms. Levine's business career encompasses healthcare, technology, and finance. After earning her MBA from Duke University she worked for a top investment bank on Wall Street; in 2003 she left banking to serve as deputy finance director for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his successful bid to become California's Governor. She is founder and president of Daredevil Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in organizational effectiveness and team dynamics. Drawing parallels between staying alive in mountains and thriving in a fast-paced business world, she focuses on leadership, teamwork, overcoming odds, tackling fear, taking responsible risks, and dealing with changing environments.

In 2005 Alison Levine founded the Climb High Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving women's lives in third-world countries by teaching skills that enable them to benefit from trekking and climbing-related tourism. Her mission is to enable the women to maintain an adequate, sustainable living wage, eventually leveling social and economic fields in countries where women are considered subordinate to men. She organized the first group of Ugandan women to work as porters in the Rwenzori Mountains, and is producing a documentary that follows these women and their struggle to balance traditional values with the desire to compete with the men for jobs in the mountains.