PERSON: Lauren Manning

Lauren Manning (born 1961) is an American author, entrepreneur, and businesswoman. One of the most severely injured survivors of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, she spent over six months in the hospital during her initial recovery from 82.5% total body burn injuries. Her injuries and recovery were widely documented by national and international press, including extensively by The New York Times. Manning’s story has been the subject of two New York Times bestselling books, including Manning’s memoir Unmeasured Strength, which was published in 2011 by Henry Holt and Company. Manning described it to TIME as “an homage to all that are gone, who in many ways drove me [even more] toward life.”

Since the publication of her book, Manning’s story has continued to receive widespread press coverage, and in 2013 President Barack Obama went so far as to cite Manning as a personification of American resilience. Manning is currently involved with a number of businesses and non-profit organizations, including iPads for Soldiers and Sanctuary for Families. Manning is co-founder and chief strategist of YouBoard Inc, and a managing director at the venture capital firm Golden Seeds. She is a member of the board of directors of Sanctuary for Families, a member of the advisory board for Glamour magazine’s Woman of the Year, and a member of the advisory council to iPads for Soldiers.