Kimberly Starr ’90

Kimberly Starr ’90 (she/her) majored in Dramatic Art and minored in Geology during her time at Whitman College. After losing her son, Thomas Christopher Starr Mears, to suicide, Starr dedicated herself to educating others about suicide prevention through her company StarrBright Suicide Prevention Presentations. Along with these efforts, she wrote the book “457: Days: A Mother’s Journey Along Grief’s Path” which chronicles her grief experience. Now, Starr and her spouse, LJ Da Corsi, proudly support the enhancement of Whitman’s mental health and suicide prevention resources through the Starr Student Wellness Endowment.

“I experienced mental health challenges as a student at Whitman and connected with staff members who provided me with life-saving support,” Starr says. “ LJ and I feel strongly about paying forward those acts of kindness by providing a gift which helps fund mental health and suicide prevention education.”

As an undergraduate, Starr was a member of Delta Delta Delta, the Associated Students of Whitman College, the Student Union Building Advisory Board, the Theatre Department and Drama Club. After Whitman, she received her master’s degree in Theatre at Central Washington University. She stays active volunteering in many different community organizations. Starr has another child, Alex Matthew Harvey. She and Da Corsi both reside in Prosser, WA

Fifty Under 50 is a new initiative recognizing emerging leaders in philanthropy. Members are graduates of the class of 1989 or later and have made gifts and pledges exceeding $50,000 to the campaign.