Spirit Magazine - September 2013 - (Page 18)

EN T R EPR EN EU R A N D ED U C AT I O N A L T EC H N O LO GY E X EC U T I V E , S A N FR A N C I S C O + Rapid Rewards Freedom Story Karen Holst 18 SPIRIT SEPTEMBER 2013 When Karen Holst co-founded an educational technology startup in 2006, she was already a fan of Southwest Airlines for leisure travel. Now that she’s an entrepreneur, speaker, and nonprofit consultant, she LUVs Southwest even more. Karen travels to various colleges and universities, advising chancellors, administrators, and students about how to utilize and adopt new technologies. In her meetings, she focuses on how institutions should embrace technology to tailor education to the individual needs of students— leading to student academic fulfillment and career achievement. “Southwest makes flying easy!” Karen says. “And ease of travel is paramount when your job focuses on meeting and speaking in all 50 states.” Since Southwest doesn’t impose change fees, Karen is able to plan trips months in advance without worrying about schedule changes. Between weekly flying and bonuses for having A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards status, Karen sees her points add up quickly, and that allows her to pursue all of her passions, including running. “I’m able to run marathons in New Orleans, New York City, and everywhere in between,” she says. “I can even bring my own cheering section, my boyfriend, who travels on my Rapid Rewards Companion Pass.” Karen serves on the board of directors for three nonprofit organizations. When she travels for them, she uses her Rapid Rewards Points to cover the ticket instead of expensing the cost, so the organizations can use their funds to help the people they serve. But these perks are overshadowed by the true reason Karen keeps coming back to Southwest week after week. “It’s hard to encompass a feeling,” she says. “It’s like why you go to your favorite restaurant. You know it’s reliable, it’s high quality, and the people there are better than anywhere else you’d go. It’s the same at Southwest: The Flight Attendants even remember my name!” —Devon Cross PHOTOGRAPHY BY DREW KELLY

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spirit Magazine - September 2013

Contents
Gary's Greeting
Gary's Greeting en Español
Star of the Month
Freedom Story
From the Editor
Your Words
Your Pictures
Media Center
Eat Drink Sleep
The Numbers
Business
Chomp, Chomp
"Are You Famous Amos?"
Health
Calendar
Fun!
Spotlight
Community Outreach
Products and Services
Flight Service
Terminal Maps
Information
Rapid Rewards Partners
Route Map
The "If" List

Spirit Magazine - September 2013