Meet the ZGiRLS Mentor: Build Confidence with Karen Hubbard

After spending most of her life running track, Karen Hubbard did something extra brave. She took on a totally new sport. Now—in addition to being a former sprinter at Purdue University—she’s also a professional bobsledder for Team USA.

Oh—and did we mention she’s an engineer, a track coach, the CEO & Founder of her own nonprofit, and a champion for girls in sports and STEM, too? 🔥

Karen knows what it takes to step into unfamiliar territory, trust herself, and keep going when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. That’s what building self-worth is all about.

Get to know her better with a quick Q&A below.

1. What’s your favorite thing about being an athlete in your sport?

The opportunity to work on myself daily and meet new versions of myself.

2. If you could go back in time and give your middle school self advice, what would it be?

You don't have to believe in yourself alone yet. Borrow belief from the people around you until you build your own. I spent a lot of years waiting to feel confident before I acted. It actually works the other way around.

3. How do you like to spend your time when you’re not training or competing?

Coaching my track athletes at Westfield High School, and building Karen Sleighs, the nonprofit I founded to help girls build confidence and go after big goals in sports, STEM, and leadership. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family.

4. What’s something you love about yourself that has nothing to do with how you look?

My discipline. I went from zero bobsled experience to registering for the 2026 Olympics in a matter of months, and that only happens because I show up and do the work even on the days it's hard.

5. What do you hope ZGiRLS take away from their session with you?

That confidence isn't something you wait to feel. It's something you build through evidence, one courageous action at a time. If a girl leaves believing she can borrow belief from someone else until she grows her own, that's the whole point.

Meet the ZGiRLS Mentor: Karen Hubbard

1. What’s your favorite thing about being an athlete in your sport?

2. If you could go back in time and give your middle school self advice, what would it be?

3. How do you like to spend your time when you’re not training or competing?

4. What’s something you love about yourself that has nothing to do with how you look?

5. What do you hope ZGiRLS take away from their session with you?

ZGiRLS Honored Through Heroes of the Deep Award at Seattle Kraken Game, Expanding Confidence Programming for Girls