We had the good fortune of connecting with Louise McEvoy and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Louise, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks has changed my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
When living in Canada, my life went through a big change, and I needed to be someplace different. I asked my boss if I could work out of our California office. He didn’t say yes right away, but with some persistence, he agreed. I landed in San Francisco and found my way to Sunnyvale by using a paper map (cell phones were just coming out). At that time, it was a big deal!
But…moving countries and not knowing many people was a very lonely experience. A friend of mine suggested reading a book about Everest; I was hooked and made a promise to myself that I’d see the mountain one day. Four years later (at a different job), I was laid off. I went online that day and booked a trip to Everest Base Camp; the adventure company was taking 16 clients, 15 of which had already booked, and that last spot was calling my name. Two weeks later, I landed in Kathmandu, Nepal (knowing no one on the team) and we eventually made our way along the Base Camp trail, and there was Everest, in all her beauty!
I kept my first promise of seeing the mountain, I then made a second promise to myself…that one day I’d climb the mountain. I spent the next 14 years climbing the world’s highest mountains in anticipation of my (one and only try) of Everest. I joined an expedition team, trained hard, and in May 2018, I made the summit.
Without taking the risk of moving countries by myself, flying to Kathmandu after getting laid off, and taking the risk of climbing Everest – I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m grateful for all that I went through in order to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been in IT for the past 25 years, primarily in the “channel” (companies who resell software on behalf of the software company) and primarily in the cybersecurity industry – a fascinating place to be, but incredible what’s going on with hackers – secure your data and images!
I started my career in Canada, then move to California. Since moving to the U.S., I haven’t looked back; since getting my citizenship, and I’m a very proud American! I’ve traveled to 51 countries, have three passports and there’s no better place than the U.S.!
I started young in my career, at age 19, because I couldn’t afford my university degree without working full time, so I went to school part time, to fund my schooling – and it was well worth it.
Moving countries was hard; most people don’t realize that Canada has its own culture, it’s definitely not the 51st state! I moved to the U.S., without knowing many people and without any family or friends. It was a bit of a struggle, but my loneliness led me to mountaineering, and I’m eternally grateful for that.
I’m now the V.P. of Channel Sales at a global, multi-billion-dollar cybersecurity company. I love what I do, and I love that we’re securing our customers’ data, so they avoid ransomware and extortion.
My “brand” is channel, cyber and climbing. I’ve spent years perfecting all three and I look forward to being an even better version of myself. My goal is to continue to learn, grow, support, and inspire others. I firmly believe in supporting other women, their business ventures and supporting our next generation.
Oh, my other “story” … two years ago, I had a chance “aha” moment at a work dinner… since then, I’ve been on a vegan journey and haven’t eaten meat since. I pledge not to use pack animals on my expeditions, I don’t buy leather goods, and I don’t support animals for use in entertainment, breeding, research, and much, much more. Animals are sentient beings and it’s not our right to use them for profit. Firm statement. Watch the PETA videos, you’ll see how expansive our use of animals is in our everyday lives, you’ll be surprised. So, I guess I’ll add “vegan” and “animal activist” to my list of brands.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was meeting me in Colorado, I’d pick them up at the Denver airport and drive to Breckenridge. We’d have dinner at Gravity Haus, because the meals are healthy and delicious, and the decor is very ski/mountain chic.
The next day, we’d continue hanging out in Breck and getting acclimated, because we’re heading to the mountains during this trip! On our second day, we do a short hike to Aspen Alley, which is also an excuse to take pics of the golden aspens. Next, we’re going shopping on Main Street in Breck, starting with one of the best coffee shops in town. We might buy some mountain jewelry, or maybe mountain art at one of the local galleries. We’d shop at some of the sports stores just in case we forgot something for our 14er (or just a reason to shop!). We’d get takeout and hang out at our suite/hotel, with a bottle of wine. We’ll go to the hotel hot tub, which overlooks the mountains.
We’re going to sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, then head to Vail (Lionshead). Today, we’re going to do another acclimatization hike – the Berrypicker trail! Some mileage and altitude – head across to the Fireweed trail, and down the gondola to Vail Village. I can’t have a friend visit CO, without visiting the Village…we pop into shops and maybe buy some local handmade clothing. We’ll have a late lunch, then head back to the hotel. We’re tired, but tomorrow is an early start, as we’re heading to our 14er. We pack our backpacks, snacks, water, headlamp, extra clothing, and hiking poles.
The Berrypicker trail was a good/bad idea… great acclimatization and a great workout. Our legs are tired, but we’re pumped to climb a 14er and we pick Bierstadt. We drive to Georgetown, then 10 miles up the mountain and park at the trailhead (“alpine start”, which gives us a great parking spot). With our headlamps, we traverse across the meadow and stream, before heading up the switchbacks. We make record time and tap the summit marker at 14,065 feet and we’re elated!
We hike down the mountain and drop into quaint Georgetown. We have a beer at a local brewery, shop the cute stores, then head back to Breckenridge. We go to “Ritas” for tacos and margaritas – because we just completed a 14er!
We head back to the hotel, shower, put on our pj’s … and have a very good slumber…
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ll give a few shoutouts… the book I read that changed my life was “Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer. I know many people’s lives were changed by that book, and I’m one of those people. As much as that story was a tragedy, it opened up the concept of mountaineering, that I never knew existed.
My next shoutout goes to Erin Figer. Erin is someone I worked with; one day, she texted me about hiking together. I didn’t know her well, but agreed and suggested a “14er”. Unbeknownst to me, she googled “14er” and replied “yes!”. We did some 14ers together and she suggested that we invite other women to join us. The concept of SheSummits.14ers was created and we’ve co-led seven teams to the summit of seven 14ers, with almost 100 women experiencing a high-altitude hike.
My heartwarming shoutout goes to my sister, Susan McEvoy-Hilton. My sister lives in Canada and we only see each other 1-2x a year. We’ve always wanted to go into business together but didn’t know what the business was. After my sister hosted one of the SheSummits.14ers team, with a group of women from Canada, she saw something in me – my deep love for climbing and the mountains – and so we started The Climbing Executive – for inspirational speaking, podcasts, short stories, and more. It’s because of her belief in me, that we’re now working together. How lucky am I?!
Website: www.theclimbingexecutive.com
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Image Credits
Laura Bravo Mertz