On April 19, 1989, Trisha Meili went for a run in New York's Central Park shortly after 9 PM. Hours later, two men found her near death from a brutal beating and rape. In a coma, with nearly 80 percent blood loss, a fierce blow to the head, and severe exposure, doctors at Metropolitan Hospital worried that this young woman might not survive. The story seized the headlines, in New York and around the world as people contemplated what the savagery of the attack said about our society. Fourteen years later, Meili, known to the world as The Central Park Jogger, revealed her amazing story of survival and recovery in her best-selling memoir I AM THE CENTRAL PARK JOGGER: A Story of Hope and Possibility. Represented exclusively by Leading Authorities, Trisha Meili speaks to groups, including businesses, universities, brain injury associations, sexual assault centers, and hospitals, about her journey of recovery and healing, leadership, the power of attitude, and the possibilities of personal growth. She offers lessons on how to manage through unpredictable change, whether personal, professional, economic, or spiritual. Her story has encouraged people worldwide to overcome life's obstacles--regardless of what they might be--and get back on the road to life.

Born in Paramus, New Jersey, raised there and in Pittsburgh, Meili was a Phi Beta Kappa economics major at Wellesley College and a double graduate degree recipient (MBA and MA) at Yale. After graduation, she went on to work as an associate at the Wall Street investment bank Salomon Brothers, until her life was violently interrupted that night in Central Park. Amazing her doctors and colleagues, Meili returned to Salomon eight months after the attack, became a Vice President, and continued there for another eight years. She then ran a nonprofit in New York City before writing her story.

Surviving By Thriving. I AM THE CENTRAL PARK JOGGER is not a story of an attack, but rather, one of healing. The horror of her attack brought an outpouring of support and love from her family, friends, healthcare workers, co-workers, and strangers. Meili credits this support as part of the miracle of her recovery as she relearned how to do simple things, such as rolling over, telling time, buttoning her blouse or identifying simple objects. The support allowed her to move from victim to survivor, reclaim her life, and become whole.

Racing with Hope. Recently, Meili was the recipient of the Leadership Award from the National Center for Victims of Crime, the National Courage Award from the Courage Center, the Pacesetter Award from New York Hospital Queens, the Spirit of Achievement Award from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the Courage Award from Boston's Magic 106.7 Exceptional Women Program and an Olympic Torchbearer in New York City. Her courageous story has been documented on television programs including a Katie Couric special, Today , Dateline, Larry King Live , Paula Zahn Now and The CBS Early Show with Harry Smith.