About Karen Waller
For most of her adult life, Karen has been energized by opportunities to work with lay and professional leadership who look beyond their own self-interest. People who care deeply about the communities in which they live and work, and commit to enhance the quality of life for others. Whether working with health care systems, independent schools, museums, performing arts institutions, parks or social service organizations, her deepest satisfaction lies in seeing them rise beyond levels they could have ever imagined.
Relationships are at the heart of Karen’s consulting practice. She has spent her entire 35-year career working with respected, highly accomplished business, civic and philanthropic leadership that, again and again, are called upon to make big things happen in Texas. Highly attuned to the factors that position institutional leaders for success, Karen brings a disciplined, yet patient, energy to her work.
As a coach, Karen has high expectations of herself, is intensely goal-driven and a quick study. She sizes up the challenges in reaching aspirational goals for organizations new to major gifts philanthropy as well as those with a robust giving culture.
As a volunteer, Karen has served these North Texas institutions:
- Center for Nonprofit Management Board of Directors
- Entrepreneur’s Foundation of North Texas Advisory Board
- Westwood Trust Advisory Board
- Association of Fundraising Professionals, Dallas Chapter Board of Directors
As the daughter of a World War II D-Day veteran, Karen can be found spending her free time reading military history as well as biographies of American presidents – preferably at the beach. She also is the proud mom of two adult daughters and two lovable lapdogs.