May is Women’s Health Month and we’re bringing together two powerhouse Tri Deltas for a dynamic conversation—past Fraternity President and physical therapist Kimberlee Di Fede Sullivan, Pepperdine, and Sara Hirsh Bordo, Texas Christian.

Tuesday, May 14
2:00 p.m. CT

ABOUT KIMBERLEE DI FEDE SULLIVAN

Kimberlee Sullivan is a highly accomplished healthcare professional, holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Medicine from Pepperdine University and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Creighton University. With an unwavering dedication to her field, Kimberlee has garnered over two decades of experience working with women’s health and pelvic health patients in various states, including Oregon, Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas. 

In 2005, Kimberlee established Sullivan Physical Therapy, a specialized clinic focusing on the comprehensive care of individuals grappling with pelvic floor dysfunction. Sullivan Physical Therapy helped patients with a range of conditions, including incontinence, overactive bladder syndrome, interstitial cystitis, organ prolapse, sciatica, and pelvic pain.  In 2022, Kimberlee joined Origin Physical Therapy, the first national provider of women’s health physical therapy.  Kimberlee leads the national clinical team as Head of Clinics with the goal of increasing access to patients who need this specialized care.   

A distinguished American Physical Therapy Association member, Kimberlee actively contributes to the Orthopedic and Women’s Health Sections. She is also affiliated with prominent organizations such as the National Association for Continence, Endometriosis Association, Interstitial Cystitis Association, National Vulvodynia Association, International Pelvic Pain Society, Texas Physical Therapy Association, and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. 

Kimberlee’s commitment to excellence is underscored by her board certification in Women’s Health Physical Therapy from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists. She holds a Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Physical Therapy from the Section of Women’s Health. She has received accreditation from the Biofeedback International Conference for Pelvic Biofeedback. 

Recognizing her outstanding contributions, Kimberlee was honored with the Entrepreneur of the Year award by Texas Women in Business in 2015, acknowledging her impact on the lives of fellow female entrepreneurs. The Texas Physical Therapy Association further acknowledged her excellence by presenting the Warren C. Smyth Outstanding Service Award in 2016, recognizing her clinical and educational expertise, innovative care delivery, commitment to private practice, and community service. 

In 2017, Austin Woman’s Magazine named Kimberlee one of Austin, Texas’ Women to Watch, and in 2018, the Austin American Statesman recognized her as the Best of the Best Physical Therapist. Her accolades continued with the Austin American Statesman’s Healthcare Hero and Partners in Parenting’s Austin Birth Awards Honoree titles in 2021. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Kimberlee enjoys spending time with her family. An avid reader, runner, and traveler, she has called Austin home for over twenty years, sharing her life with her husband, Craig, daughter, Allison, and their loyal canine companion, Witten. 

ABOUT SARA HIRSCH BORDO

Named as an “Architect of Change” by Maria Shriver, Sara Hirsh Bordo is a 15x award-winning filmmaker and Founder/ CEO of Women Rising®, listed as “One of the Most Innovative, Interesting, and Purpose-Driven Women Led Startups to Watch” by Inc Magazine. Women Rising® began in 2013 with Sara directing and producing the first TEDxAustinWomen which became the year’s most live and on-demand viewed TEDxWomen event around the world. Sara’s film directorial debut, A BRAVE HEART: THE LIZZIE VELASQUEZ STORY premiered and won the 2015 Audience Award at SXSW and won awards at all eleven festivals it played, received two WEBBY Awards, and secured global distribution via National Geographic, LifetimeTV, Amazon Prime, and iTunes.

In 2017, Sara’s second film, PROTECT HER, was a first-of-its-kind project, aimed at protecting girls on campus by activating the power of the schools’ male athletes. It premiered at Carmel Film Fest and was acquired by Amazon Prime. In 2018, Sara executive produced the animated short TIGHTLY WOUND, which played 25 film festivals worldwide, was acquired by Condé Nast. She returned the same year to live experiences to direct and produce Prevention Magazine’s Health and Wellness Summit, The Women’s March of Texas, which became the largest gathering of women in Texas history, followed by the Official Women in Football Weekend at Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta. Also in 2018, she executive produced March for Our Lives NYC, and directed The United State of Women Summit at the Shrine in Los Angeles, keynoted by Former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Currently executive producer of SXSW Community Award-winning ConnectHer International Film Festival and five-time award-winning documentary SIGN THE SHOW, Sara has written and directed national short films and award-winning campaigns for clients like TOYOTA, ESPN, Tri Delta, Farmhouse Fresh, and University of Texas at Austin’s NIKE 360, as well as consulted on many Hollywood film marketing campaigns including Warner Bros.’ Wonder Woman franchise and Sony and Marvel’s upcoming Madame Web.

In March 2024, Sara and Women Rising released the findings of “Autoimmunity and the ‘Good‘ Girls,” the first sociological survey exploring the intersection of empowerment and autoimmunity in American women.

Sara and her work have been featured in the books I Am That Girl and The Feminine Revolution, is a member of the Producer’s Guild of America and a three-time Juror for Best Documentary. An invited delegate to TED Women, the United Nations Media Day, the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit, and The Obama White House’s Champions of Change Summit, Sara has been nominated twice for Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneur, and is a member of the Global Wellness Institute Women in Leadership Committee. She has spoken about her creative work and activism at Apple, Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, the Air Force Academy, Women in Film, The Associated Press, and SXSW.

Sara and Women Rising’s work have been featured in Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, Bustle, The Washington Post, Women.com, NPR, Fortune, Variety, Women and Hollywood, TCU Magazine, Tri Delta Magazine, Austin Woman Magazine, People, The New York Times, and more. She previously held positions in media and entertainment, including Executive Director of Interactive Marketing at Paramount Pictures, VP of Digital Marketing at MGM Studios, and CEO and Co-Founder of NowLive, which was acquired by Live Media Group. Sara is currently writing her first book, lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is Aunt Sissy to 11 nieces and nephews, and Fairy Godmother Sara to three godchildren.

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