Here's The Scoop

Hi, I’m Kara, Founder and CEO of TrioEffect. 

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TrioEffect was born from needs I saw personally and professionally. While building value-based payment models for a major health plan, I saw the impact of chronic conditions and social determinants of health on outcomes and costs. I also noticed that ‘food as medicine’ companies missed the mark by sending fresh produce or ‘healthy’ pre-packaged meals via monthly subscription boxes. They lacked real understanding of the people they aimed to help and underestimated the complexities of changing behavior, something I know how to do well from my experience building value-based payment models.

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On a personal level, nutrition played a crucial role in my son’s life. He has a severe congenital heart defect and has had five open-heart surgeries. After his last one, he needed high levels of sodium and potassium, and his cardiologist recommended McDonald’s French fries! No joke. So, for eight weeks, that’s what he ate because that’s what his body needed. This is when I started to realize that ‘healthy’ is relative, personal, situational, and not one-size-fits-all.

Years ago, I was a teen mom on government food programs while going to college and working. Later, happily married with a growing family and a career I loved, I co-founded a ministry at my church to mentor and support teen moms. Through these relationships, I saw firsthand how food insecurity, misinformation about food, poor nutrition habits, and limited food preparation tools affected their health and purchasing habits. It was eye opening and heart breaking to see the problems I had encountered in my career manifesting in the real lives of women I knew personally. 

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I never intended to start a company, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the data I’d seen at work, the French fries my son ate, and the food challenges the moms and children I knew were facing. I also knew I had the experience, expertise and passion to do something about it. So, I prayed, talked with my husband, conducted surveys and focus groups, sought counsel, and prayed some more. I finally said, “Okay God, if this is where you want me to use the talents and gifts you’ve given me, and if this is something that can help people and bring you glory, I’ll do it. But I know I can’t do it alone. I need you to put the right people in the right place at the right time and lead the way.” He has, so here I am, trusting and moving forward in faith.

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Thank you for taking time to read the heart behind TrioEffect!

Kara