The Untold Story of... Kari Bennett

1. I am very involved with the Albany Ride for Missing Children. This year marks my 9th 100-mile ride. This is an exciting year for us as we just officially became our own 5013-C, which means the funds we raise stay right here in the Capital Region to support our local community. As a member of the Executive board and Leadership team, I coordinate the dinner we host for families of missing persons the night before ride day. This year I was interviewed by all three local news channels to help share what our ride is all about. On September 19, I will ride alongside approximately 100 other cyclists to bring awareness and show support and hope to the families of missing persons. Please visit my ride page to learn more about the Albany Ride for Missing Children or support the cause. https://runsignup.com/karibennett
2. After graduating from SUNY Oneonta, I moved to Orlando, Florida to begin an advanced internship at Walt Disney World. I was placed in the Living with the Land hydroponic greenhouses at EPCOT, where I gained hands-on experience working across all greenhouse zones. My responsibilities included planting, maintaining, and harvesting a wide variety of crops using innovative growing techniques. In addition to greenhouse operations, I led at least two one-hour "Behind the Seeds" walking tours each day, educating guests on sustainable agriculture practices and the unique methods we used to grow and care for the plants.
3. I've dabbled in cake making and decorating over the years, a creative outlet that started with a personal promise to myself when my daughter Katie was born: no matter how busy life got as a working mom, I would always make her birthday cake each year. When my second daughter, Kelsey, was born, I proudly continued the tradition. Over time, this passion has grown beyond just my own kids' birthdays-I've had the joy of making cakes for other family celebrations as well. Some of my favorite creations include a golf-themed cake, Olaf from Frozen, a cow, unicorns, a basketball, a Stegosaurus, and my personal favorite: a sushi cake!
4. I did synchronized swimming all through middle school - and every now and then, I still break out a routine or two in the backyard pool. But by high school, I was looking for something with a little more speed. I tried out for the swim team my freshman year and made it - freestyle became my stroke, and the 200-meter free was my race. I went on to swim in college and even held two school records.
5. I am getting married in October of this year. We're a blended family and I'll be a step-mom to two young men in addition to my two daughters. Look for a name change from Kari A. Bennett to Kari A. Fischer...aka Princess Leia, if you know you know!
6. I went to college thinking I'd be a marine biologist, turns out being a registrar is a family tradition! My mom was the registrar at RPI for 30+ years and I have followed in her footsteps...
7. I've worked at several of the local capital district institutions. I began my career at RPI in their Professional and Distance education office, then the College of St. Rose's registrar's office, then SUNY Empire State College's registrar office, back to RPI for Summer Programs, then Maria College as their Registrar, and now I call Siena University home.
8. My fiance Scott and I like to travel and it's always fun to incorporate a few breweries. We try to pair our brewery stops with good pizza. Dave Portnoy's pizza app guides us to the best around. We have hit the "Famous Four" pizza places in New Haven, CT. Sally's Apizza, Frank Pepe Pizzeria, Modern Apizza, and BAR.
9. I've ridden in the NYC Five Boro Tour three times--40+miles through all five boroughs of NYC, traffic free! Thousands of cyclists come together on a Sunday in May for an unforgettable ride. Traveling over the brooklyn bridge, verrazano bridge, and flying down the BQE with no cars in sight.
10. I'm the proud mom of two different, very special, beautiful girls - Katherine (15) and Kelsey (13). Katie's deep into volleyball, playing both for school and on a travel team. She's already very interested in science and health - always thinking, always moving. Kelsey's getting ready to try field hockey this fall and is currently drawn to cosmetology - she's creative and always experimenting with something new. They're figuring themselves out, each in their own way. Who knows, maybe someday they'll be Saints!!

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