It’s always bittersweet when board members’ terms end. That’s certainly true of Karen Brashaber.

With teary eyes at our holiday party she told us, “It has been such an honor to serve an organization that has given so much to my family personally. (Karen’s son, James, was the 2013 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.) When I started with the Foundation, I didn’t know anything about the wonderful grants that are awarded. I just knew of the scholarships,” she admitted.

Karen quickly learned the ins and outs of RCCF’s work and proved to be a wonderful asset to our organization. A mathematician by training, she’s equally as gifted as a writer. She’s comfortable and effective in both leadership and support roles. Karen has a knack to digest any discussion and deliver a commonsense opinion that garners consensus. But most importantly she has a true servant’s heart.

She served two 3-year terms in a wide variety of capacities, most recently as Board President. She was both Vice President and Secretary. She has served on the Executive, Scholarship, and Lilly Scholarship Committees and chaired the Donor Engagement Committee for several years. She helped lead us through the search for an executive director, hiring Chris. She was a key contributor to the Lilly Endowment Large Scale Grant application that was awarded $5M and jumpstarted the REC Center. Quite an impressive resume, especially considering she is a volunteer.

We’re so grateful for all the hard work, heart, and soul Karen has put into everything she’s accomplished at RCCF! As much as we’ll miss having her in board meetings, we’re not letting her go too far. She’ll remain on the Scholarship and Donor Engagement Committees.