2020 40 Under 40: Kari Norris, 34

In her 13 years at Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, Kari Norris has learned to wear many hats.

She is the lead graphic designer, informational technology manager, internship director, and is heavily involved in fundraising and sales. In her role as vice president of marketing, she works with more than 50 children’s charities in the Ozarks through the annual Price Cutter Charity Championship. Over 40 fundraisers are held in connection with the annual golf tournament, which distributes nearly $1 million annually. Volunteering is also a passion for Norris, as she helps with events for nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity, and mentors students in Missouri State University’s Entertainment Management Association.

What was your first job? When I was 5 years old, folding pizza boxes at my father’s restaurant.

What is your proudest moment? The efforts of our staff and community and what we are able to accomplish related to the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? No. 1: Listen to it again. My father would always ask me to listen to a song again, watch the video again, read the chapter again. It was always about repetition, because you’ll always hear, see, learn something different the next time. No. 2: “Always perform like you’re in the 7th game of the World Series.” Everything we do always has to be the best we’ve ever done.