Kim Coupounas, co-founder and CEO of GoLite, was given the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition 2006 Pioneering Woman Award. Coupounas received a check for $1,000 to be donated to the organization of her choice. She selected The Women’s Wilderness Institute, a nonprofit organization with the mission of strengthening the courage, confidence, and leadership qualities of girls and women, through the challenge and support of group wilderness and community-based experiences.

As the co-founder and CEO of GoLite, Coupounas has played a major role in both creating products that address women’s needs, as well as working closely with her female employees to ensure their personal and professional success. In addition to her efforts at GoLite, Coupounas also serves on the Board of the Outdoor Industry Association, and before that was an Outward Bound instructor for all-female courses.