Seattle Reign FC Legend: Karissa Bodnar – Founder and CEO of Thrive Causemetics and Bigger Than Beauty Skincare
The Legends Campaign, a partnership between Seattle Reign FC and Starbucks, honors women for their extraordinary contributions to our community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. At Seattle Reign FC’s match against Portland Thorns FC, the club recognized Karissa Bodnar, Founder and CEO of Thrive Causemetics and Bigger Than Beauty Skincare.
Born and raised in Washington, Bodnar knew she was passionate about business and cosmetics from a young age, but she didn’t take the standard route to becoming a business owner. She began working for Sephora as a makeup artist at the age of 18 in Washington’s local Bellevue Square Sephora. A couple years later, she started working at Clarisonic in product development.
Everything changed for Bodnar when she was just 23 years old. Her best friend, Kristy LeMond, a Lake Sammamish native and University of Washington graduate, was diagnosed with a malignant tumor and tragically passed away within 9 months.
Throughout her treatments, Kristy often told Bodnar how much she wanted to look like herself again and feel that sense of normalcy, but she couldn’t find beauty products that were safe to use. So, Bodnar got to work, with a mission to create beauty products that were safe for everyone including the immunocompromised and empower everyone to feel their best self.
She worked in the early hours and into the night after she got home from her day job, testing ingredients in her kitchen. There, in her one-bedroom apartment in Lower Queen Anne, Thrive Causemetics, a high-performance makeup and skincare company with a “bigger than beauty” mission, was born. All of the company’s products are vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without harmful ingredients.
“Challenges are part of building anything meaningful,” shared Bodnar. “When I started Thrive Causemetics, I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was driven by something deeply personal. The brand was inspired by my friend Kristy, who passed away from cancer at 24. Thinking of her reminds me why I started and why our mission matters. That purpose has helped guide me through every roadblock.”
Starting a mission-driven company is no easy feat, but Bodnar preserved through many challenges to find success.
‘When I was first building Thrive Causemetics, I knocked on the doors of retailers and press outlets with no connections, no fancy network. I kept going even when I got “no” after “no,” and I focused my energy on the people who said “yes,” who shared the vision and wanted to be part of it. Let the noise be noise. Keep going. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and more importantly, keep believing in yourself.”
“The world needs your perspective, your courage, and your ideas. Start where you are, use what you have, and don’t be afraid to take up space. You're not behind. You’re right on time.”
The brand’s first ever giving event was in Renton, Seattle at University of Washington Valley Medical. Over the next 10 years, in Kristy’s memory, Bodnar built Thrive Causemetics and Bigger Than Beauty Skincare into the largest beauty brand that gives back. For every product purchased, Thrive Causemetics makes a donation to help communities thrive. Since 2015, Thrive Causemetics has donated over $150 million in funds and products to over 600 Giving Partners around the world.
The company supports communities enduring cancer, emerging from homelessness, surviving domestic abuse, fighting for racial and social justice, pursuing education, supporting LGBTQ+ causes, uplifting underserved marginalized youth and assisting veterans. Thrive Causemetics has helped over 40 charities in Washington including Mary’s Place, Ruby Room, and UTOPIA WA.
“I’ve also learned to be okay not having all the answers. I ask for help, lean on my team and try to be honest about what I don’t know. People connect with vulnerability, and being open has brought the right support at the right times. Surrounding myself with people who believe in this vision and challenge me to grow has made all the difference,” said Bodnar.
“What keeps me motivated is our collective impact. Hearing from our Giving Partners and customers who say our products helped them feel strong or seen on a hard day fuels me.”
Since founding Thrive Causemetics, the Stanwood, Washington native and longtime Reign fan has been named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Forbes’ America's Self-Made Women, Marie Claire’s Most Powerful Women, and Inc.’s Badass Female Founders list. As a leader in her industry, Bodnar offered advice to girls pursuing a goal of their own.
“Don’t wait for permission. Your voice, your ideas, and your lived experiences matter, even if you don’t see someone who looks like you or shares your background in the room yet. That might feel intimidating, but it’s also your power,” she said. “When I started working on Thrive Causemetics, I had experience as a makeup artist and had worked in product development at L’Oréal, but I still felt like I was stepping into the unknown. I didn’t have a roadmap for building a mission-driven beauty brand. What grounded me was staying clear on my purpose and leading with heart. I knew why I was doing this, and that belief helped carry me through every “no” and setback.”
Bodnar continued, “If you’re the only woman in the room, or the only one from your background, try to see that not as a weakness but as an opportunity. I grew up on a dirt road in Washington. I went to Bellevue Community College. I didn’t take a traditional path, and I’ve been in so many rooms where I felt like an outsider. But the truth is, what makes you different is often what makes you relatable, unique, and magnetic.”
A Stanwood, Washington native and longtime Reign fan, being honored as a Seattle Reign FC and Starbucks Legend is extra special for Bodnar.
“It means so much to be recognized by Seattle Reign FC especially as someone who was born and raised in Washington. I have so much pride in where I come from, and I’ve been a longtime fan of the Seattle Reign. Being honored by a team that represents strength, resilience and leadership on and off the field is incredibly special.”
“I’ve looked up to players like Lu Barnes and Megan Rapinoe for years, not just for what they’ve accomplished in soccer, but for how they show up in the world. It’s a huge honor and a reminder of how powerful it is to lead with purpose and community,” concluded Bodnar.