CIS 50th Anniversary Success Stories (Week 2): Kim Rau

Waterloo grad now a leader in pedorthics

Kim Rau took her experience as a Warrior and kinesiology degree to open her own firm and help shapes the future of pedorthics

Kim Rau has been putting her best foot forward for over 25 years as owner and operator of ‘Kimberly Rau & Associates/Pedorthic Services’. 

A former member of the Waterloo Warriors (Athena’s) women’s basketball team for five seasons (1982-1986, 1988), Rau graduated with honours from Kinesiology with a bachelor of science in 1986.

As a member of the Athena’s, Rau was the top rebounder and scorer for the 1985-86 seasons, a three-year OWIAA all-star, MVP in 1984 and Waterloo female athlete of the year in 1986 when she was officially inducted into Waterloo’s athletic hall of fame. Her passion lies in sport and her career path has led her to success in the field of Pedorthic Services. 

Rau’s company is a group of Canadian Certified Pedorthists trained in the assessment, design, manufacturing and modification of foot appliances as well as the fitting and modification of footwear for the purpose of alleviating pain of the lower limb.

Rau began her career as the original associate of Pedorthic Services in 1986 and continues to practice in the Kitchener-Waterloo locations. Rau is highly involved in the national Pedorthic Association of Canada (PAC). As a member of the Education Committee she played an integral role in establishing the Diploma in Pedorthics, a joint venture between PAC and the University of Western Ontario. Her involvement with the program is ongoing as she serves as a practicum supervisor training future pedorthists.

Kimberly Rau & Associates is a proud sponsor of the Waterloo athletics providing support for campus recreation and departmental events (i.e. Think Pink) as well as the women’s basketball team.  Additionally Rau provides orientations for fitness staff to increase their knowledge of lower limb biomechanics, orthotics and footwear to help prevent injury and enhance performance of Warrior student-athletes.

“The years spent at the University of Waterloo were some of the absolute best years of my life,” mentions Rau.  “When I think about my time at Waterloo, my involvement in women’s basketball definitely gets the greatest credit for my wonderful experience.” 

Rau remains friends with many of her former basketball teammates at Waterloo and she credits her career path to her glory days at Waterloo.  Sport remains an integral part of her life as she is an avid runner, ultimate and basketball player and plans to celebrate her 50th birthday playing basketball at the World Masters Games in Torino, Italy in 2013.

Rau continues to contribute to the success of Pedorthic Services and the profession itself through teaching, involvement in research and by providing exceptional clinical services, conference presentations, lectures at educational institutions and seminars to the general public.