How high will you climb to follow your dream?

For Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, following her dream meant summiting Mt. Everest. She was the first Nepali woman to attempt a summit. Her story has been brought to life in the newly released documentary: PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest by her sister-in-law and Parlay House member Nancy Svendsen.

As an uneducated, indigenous woman and a Buddhist in a Hindu kingdom, Pasang’s dream to scale the legendary mountain pitted her against family, foreign climbers, her own government, and nature itself. Her determined pursuit of Everest plays out within the context of her nation’s quest for democracy and the emergence of the commercial climbing industry. As told by the Nepalis who knew her, by some of the world’s most notable alpinists, and by Pasang herself, her historic quest would transfix her country and uplift a new generation’s belief in its possibilities.

We’ll share a limited time access link to watch the film ahead of time the week leading up to this talk with Nancy. Whether or not you can watch, we hope you’ll join what will be a fascinating conversation that lifts and inspires us all.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Nancy Anne Svendsen grew up in small towns in Iowa. Since childhood she has been passionate about bringing people together to tell stories. Nancy earned a B.A. in English, Spanish and American Studies from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota. She spent over two decades focusing her energy in leadership positions in various facets of the healthcare industry. Now Nancy has come back to her storytelling roots as an independent filmmaker based in Northern California. Nancy now combines her business acumen and experience running large organizations with her passion for women’s rights, the creative arts and storytelling. Nancy started Follow Your Dream Foundation Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, as a place to incubate and launch powerful stories that can influence people’s lives. In her film, PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest, Nancy shares the story of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa – the first Nepali woman to summit Mt. Everest. Nancy believes the inspiration born of reaching for the impossible is transformational; sharing our respective journeys is our opportunity to touch the lives of those who may not yet know they need to hear the stories we tell. Nancy is an active musician and lives in Marin County with her husband and their two children.

We can’t wait to see you there.
Anne & Arielle