Karen Wawrzaszek is a Regional Director and Senior Vice President at Northern Trust, where she provides strategic investment advice to non-profits, foundations, and endowments. A recognized thought leader in ESG and impact investing, she has been repeatedly named a Top Financial Advisor by Washingtonian magazine. She earned her bachelors degree from Wichita State University.
Outside of her professional role, Karen is deeply committed to community service. She serves in leadership positions on several boards, including as Chairman for Teach For America DC and Investment Chair for the Meyer Foundation. She is passionate about mentoring female entrepreneurs, education reform, and advancing financial literacy in the Washington DC area.
Unique fact: Karen co-founded and was the CEO of Pomona Society, a collective of women collaborating to create systemic change for women and families in Washington, D. C.
Karen Wawrzaszek CFP®, CEPA, CTFA
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Vice Chair & Board Member at Student Conservation Association
Washington DC-Baltimore Area, United States
Overview
Personality Overview
Demanding
Hard To Convince
Judgemental
They focus on objectivity in a pitch and pay little attention to bells and whistles. They don’t always try to control the conversation but neither do they like yielding it fully. They can be nudged to make faster decisions by offering what they value.
Topics They Care About
Impact & ESG Investing
A core focus of her professional work and a subject on which she is a recognized thought leader, frequently speaking at conferences and on podcasts.
Non-Profit Governance
Serves in multiple board leadership roles, including Chairman for Teach for America DC and Finance Chair for Global Impact, focusing on organizational financial sustainability.
Philanthropic Advising
Her primary role involves partnering with foundations and non-profits to align their financial programs and investment strategies with their mission-oriented goals.
Media Appearances
Karen has no verified media appearances
Work History
4-2024
Vice Chair & Board Member at Student Conservation Association
9-2023
Regional Director for Foundation & Institutional Advisory at Northern Trust Wealth Management
3-2023
Global Advisory Council at Beyond The Billion® (launched as The Billion Dollar Fund for Women®)
1-2022
Board Member and Finance Committee Chair at Global Impact
10-2021
Co-Chair of Professional Advisory Council at Greater Washington Community Foundation
5-2021
Leadership Circle Member at 50/50 Women on Boards
5-2021 - 8-2023
Regional President at BNY Mellon Wealth Management
4-2021
Chairman of the Board of Directors at Teach For America
6-2019
Chair of Investment Committee & Member of the Board of Directors at Meyer Foundation
11-2018 - 5-2021
Principal & Senior Director of Financial Planning at SBSB Financial Advisors
9-2018 - 4-2021
Advisory Board Member at Bubble
3-2018 - 3-2024
Founder & Chief Executive Officer at The Pomona Society
3-2016 - 2-2018
Board of Trustees Member at The Shakespeare Theatre Company
9-2015 - 11-2018
Managing Director & Head of DC Office at Rockefeller Capital Management
5-2014 - 12-2020
Treasurer and Board Member at Washington Area Women's Foundation
8-2011 - 9-2015
Managing Director & Head of Office at Pitcairn
8-2009 - 8-2011
Finance Committee and Board Member at Eastside Domestic Violence Program
7-2008 - 12-2009
Vice President and Investment Advisor at Laird Norton Wealth Management
6-2008
Speaker-Panelist-Podcaster-Contributor at Impact & Philanthropy Thought Leader
7-1997 - 6-2008
Vice President/Private Client Manager/Trust Officer at U.S. Trust
Education
BA from Wichita State University
CFP from Kaplan University
More Information
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Location : Washington DC-Baltimore Area, United States
Job Level : Mid-senior
Designation : Vice Chair & Board Member at Student Conservation Association
