MEET
Charlie Kimball
Charlie Kimball made history as the first licensed driver with Type 1 Diabetes to compete in — and win — an IndyCar race.
Driven by Challenge
Charlie Kimball made history as the first licensed driver with Type 1 Diabetes to compete in and win an IndyCar race. At 200 mph, he didn’t just push the limits of performance. He re-engineered his racing approach, pioneering the use of a continuous glucose monitor on his car’s dashboard.
For Charlie, obstacles aren’t roadblocks. They’re fuel for invention.
That instinct runs deep in his family. His great-grandfather designed machines that helped farmers optimize pruning and improve efficiency. His father, an engineer at Ferrari, developed the first semi-automatic sequential gearbox for Formula 1, a design that revolutionized racing and is still used today.
Innovation isn't just something Charlie teaches.
It's part of his DNA.
But Charlie's story doesn't stop at the checkered flag.
Off the track, he and his wife Kathleen run a jewelry store, blending craft, creativity, and community connection.
Their family also farms avocados and citrus that have been in the county for generations, a reminder that growth and legacy often start at the roots.
Most importantly, Charlie is a proud husband and father, learning every day from the resilience and curiosity of his two children.
Recognized by TIME Magazine and trusted by organizations such as Johnson & Johnson, Deloitte, and Microsoft, Charlie now equips leaders and teams with his DRIVEN framework, a process to turn disruption into invention, accelerate innovation, and stay ahead in a world of nonstop change.
For Charlie, whether in racing, business, or life, the philosophy is the same: