With more than 20 years of experience in community relations, fundraising, event planning, tourism, hotel hospitality, and sales, Karen Harrison is now putting her skills to work for alumni and supporters of the Sioux City School district. Born and raised in Sioux City, Karen is a graduate of East High School and comes from a family of educators. She has enjoyed working with physically/mentally challenged children and adults including extensive experience working with the Autism spectrum.

Karen is an active volunteer in the community. She has served on boards for Boys and Girls Club of Siouxland, Sioux City Public Schools Foundation, PowHer Women’s Networking, and the Neighborhood Network. She also is involved with the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors group, United Way, the Women Lead Change Committee and is a Wish Grantor for Make-A-Wish where she helps children with a serious medical condition decide what wish they would like granted. Karen likes to spend her free time reading, attending her book clubs in Sioux City and West Des Moines, golf, and traveling with her beau Dan, family, and friends. Karen has the best bonus daughters a woman could ask for; Kellie and Carlie, plus a Maltese named Charlie, 2 Shih Tzus dogs named Sugar, and a Noah’s Hope Rescue named Mikey. Although she’s not sure who rescued who?

Karen’s favorite quotes are, “You never stand as tall as when you kneel to help a child.” (Abraham Lincoln) and “What you think about, you bring about”, and “Those that are crazy enough to think they can change the world, do”. She truly enjoys connecting people and helping others. Karen loves her fundraising career, because she has the honor of helping to support the Sioux City Public Schools. Karen takes this role seriously.