Karen has been involved with fundraising for medical research for over 20 years. In 1995, she founded the North Shore Medical Research Junior Board for Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Over the last 21 years, the board has raised over $4.0 million for neuroblastoma research. In 2002, after her mother was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, Karen shifted her focus to raising awareness and fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association. She has been an active board member of the Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala Committee and co-chaired the 2014 Chicago Gala. In 2015, Karen joined the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s board and is focusing her efforts on advocating for increased focus on Alzheimer’s prevention efforts. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Northwestern University.

Bucket list item: Finding a treatment for Alzheimer's.

Favorite book: "A Summons to Memphis" by Peter Taylor