Beyond Borders:

About the Book

Beyond Borders: One Woman’s Journey of Courage, Passion, and Inspiration is rich with remarkable stories of courage and triumph. The book will take you on an intriguing journey from exploring exotic areas in Africa to working for reconciliation in apartheid South Africa, to being a citizen diplomat during the Cold War, to touching stories of motherhood and adopting an older child. As the author unpeels the layers that constitute her life of love and lessons, she reveals the wisdom that composes a life well lived. Weaving insightful stories filled with love, joy, grief, adventure, challenge, spirituality, and a search to find her own voice, the author spotlights rich cross-cultural experiences, personal stories of love and family, her work as a passionate advocate of supporting and advancing women, and being a change agent during remarkable times in history. One chapter highlights traveling the path of the Peace Maker, a Native American leader who crafted the Iroquois Great Law of Peace, which influenced our US Constitution and the founding of the women’s movement. At a time when media attention focuses on increasing violence and crime, we are hungry for successes and solutions. Beyond Borders provides hope when hope is eagerly needed. It provides personal examples of moving from becoming overwhelmed to stepping forward and speaking up. Whether you are beginning a career or a wise elder, Beyond Borders will inspire and enrich.

About the Author

Kimberly Weichel is a social entrepreneur, catalyst, and nonprofit leader who has worked on the forefront of building bridges between cultures and peoples for over twenty-five years. She is a gender specialist who is a passionate advocate and champion for women’s advancement, empowerment, and leadership. As CEO of Peace x Peace, an international women’s peace building and leadership organization, she supported and mentored their global network of women peace builders in over a hundred countries. Kim is an avid traveler and has extensive global experience in Russia, South Africa, East Africa, Southeast Asia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Canada, and Australia. She completed her BA and master’s degrees from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and was awarded fellowships in Europe and Asia. Kim’s passion and enthusiasm for life is infectious. She is an adventurer, seeker of knowledge, mother, mentor for young and not-so-young women, and a true global citizen. Her cross-cultural and multifaceted background gives her a unique perspective on life, benefiting many communities through her work as a facilitator, trainer, radio producer, speaker, and advisor to NGOs. She has led international programs and worked with several UN agencies. Kim loves to write, and her books have had international appeal: Inside Crossroads (McGraw Hill) highlighted a remarkably resilient community in South Africa that was threatened with demolition during apartheid, The Future of the Pacific Rim (Praeger) explored the economic potential and regional cooperation of this diverse region, and Healing the Heart of the World (Elite) featured her chapter “The Feminine Front Line” about women on the forefront of change. Kim has been married for forty-two years and has two grown children. She loves to spend time in nature, play music, paint watercolor, play tennis, hike, ski, and swim. She is a Renaissance woman who enjoys connecting with people from other cultures.