{"id":1251,"date":"2015-05-04T09:46:58","date_gmt":"2015-05-04T14:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dunwoody.edu\/blog\/?p=1251"},"modified":"2015-05-05T11:23:39","modified_gmt":"2015-05-05T16:23:39","slug":"caringbridge-founder-sona-mehring-keynote-dunwoody-college-commencement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dunwoody.edu\/news\/2015\/caringbridge-founder-sona-mehring-keynote-dunwoody-college-commencement\/","title":{"rendered":"CaringBridge founder Sona Mehring to keynote Dunwoody College Commencement"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"PhotoDunwoody College of Technology is delighted to announce that Sona Mehring, CEO and founder of CaringBridge<\/a>, the leading website for rallying support during a health crisis, will be the keynote speaker at our Commencement on Thursday, May 14, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.<\/p>\n

Throughout\u00a0her\u00a0successful career in computer programming, Sona always searched for a way to help others with her skills. Her expertise was such that she owned and operated her own computer consulting firm\u00a0that came with it\u2019s own rewards. However, in\u00a01997 when\u00a0close friends experienced a serious medical crisis, Sona was\u00a0inspired\u00a0to create a solution around how to communicate with family and loved ones during a critical time and CaringBridge<\/a> was born.<\/p>\n

Sona was the first to recognize that the Internet could be a powerful tool in helping people connect and rally support during difficult times. Seeing her friends struggle with communication, Sona created a website that allowed them to easily share updates with their support community. What started as an act of kindness for her friends soon became Sona\u2019s passion, and eventually her new career.<\/p>\n

\"CaringBridge<\/a>People around the world are now able to share news, receive comfort and coordinate care by creating private, personal websites through CaringBridge. Since its creation, CaringBridge websites have been visited nearly 2 billion times. Sona\u2019s business insight told her the success of CaringBridge could be lucrative, but she cared more about its benefit to others than to herself. Choosing mission over profit potential, Sona made the website a nonprofit in 2002. This ensured that CaringBridge remained free from outside financial pressures and focused on helping anyone, anywhere get the social support they need during their health journey.<\/p>\n

Sona serves on the National Caregiver Council, a group of leaders in the industry that studies the issues and technology impacting caregivers and their families. Sona is an active member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation, and is on the board of Minne*, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing Minnesota\u2019s technology community. She has also participated as a speaker and panelist at many healthcare and caregiver related events.<\/p>\n

Sona is the author of Hope Conquers All: Inspiring Stories of Love and Healing from CaringBridge<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sona has received numerous honors for her leadership and vision, including:<\/p>\n