Kristina Bouweiri (United States, WK 75-76)
What years did you attend Waterford Kamhlaba?
(What forms/year group?)
1976-77,
I was 12 and 13 years old. Don’t
remember the forms.
Please tell us what you have done or are doing
at the moment? (e.g.. what you studied and what field you are currently working
in)
I have
a degree in International Relations from George Washington University. I am CEO of the largest limousine and bus
company in Washington DC, Reston Limousine.
I am also the founder of Sterling Women, a monthly networking lunch for
women and co-founder of the Northern Virginia Business Women’s Conference. As a board member of Enterprising Woman
Magazine I have been invited to speak at the GlobeWomen’s Business Summit in
China, Turkey and Greece. I have served
as a mentor to International Women in Business including a woman who owns a bus
company in Rwanda.
Could you tell us what inspired you to pursue
your career path.
I
studied International Relations because I wanted to join the Foreign
Service. When I was a senior in college
I got an internship at the Overseas Education Fund. That led to my first job which was Assistant
Program Manager for Africa. I went back
to Africa, to Somalia and Kenya to work on projects to uplift the status of
women. After two years on that project I
decided to leave the field and I returned to the US. The only job I could find was 100% commission
sales advertising job. That is how I met
the founder of Reston Limousine. He
bought an ad and we started dating. Soon we were married. We ran the business together for ten years
and then we decided he would stay home with the four children and I would run
the business. Ten years later I asked
for a divorce and I bought him out.
Did Waterford in any way play a role in your
career path choice?
Yes, Waterford
shaped me in so many ways. Waterford is
why I always insist on diversity in everything that I do. I remember volunteering when I was at
Waterford. Living as a minority at
Waterford, a minority because I am white and a minority because I am Christian
gave me an important perspective for the rest of my life. I have always tried to help people in
need. I know I am blessed and have always
tried to give back to the community. My
company has donated over 1 Million dollars in transportation for charities
including the Make A Wish Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes, Wounded Warriors,
American Cancer Society and more.
What advice would you have for aspiring
students who would want to be involved in similar areas of expertise?
My best
advice would be to find a job you love so that you enjoy going to work each
day.
Do you have any
fond memories of Waterford? Could you possibly share one with us and could we
also ask you to send us one or two pictures of your time at WK?
I have
wonderful memories of my time at Waterford.
I am still in touch with many friends and we follow each other on
Facebook. Great memories are listening
to Stevie Wonder and George Benson!
Cooking toast on the heater in our rooms. French toast with ketchup! Climbing Mount Tom. Going for hikes in the nature and finding a
waterfall. I remember the dance socials. I made lifelong friends there. I am sorry but I don’t have any
pictures. We moved every two years and I
regret that I don’t have any pictures.
Most embarrassing moment at Waterford? Being caught reading with a flashlight after
hours and getting detention. I had to
push cement bricks in a wheelbarrow across campus!
WK
crush?
Too many to mention LOL
What’s
your favorite ’70s jam?
Abba, Beegees,
Elton John, George Benson, Stevie Wonder.
Who was
in your WK #squad (friend group)?
Chantal
Krishnadasan and Cilene Andrehn.
Favourite
teacher/Most hilarious teacher?
Male math
teacher. Can’t remember his name. Possibly Alan Whiteside?
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