Movers & Shakers

Karen Conlon Karen D. Conlon, president and CEO of the California Association of Community Managers, has been tapped as chair of the 2012-2013 Women’s Philanthropy Fund by the Orange County United Way. An eight-year member of the Women’s Philanthropy Fund, Conlon has served in a leadership role for the past four years. The Women’s Philanthropy Fund was established in 2002 and is comprised of women business and community leaders who give $10,000 or more each year to United Way programs that build economic self-sufficiency for women and girls in Orange County. The Women’s Philanthropy Fund is part of a larger national Women’s Leadership Council sponsored by United Way to support business leadership programs for women. These programs raise more money than any other leadership group nationwide for the United Way, with total fundraising expected to reach $1 billion by the end of this year. According to Conlon, the opportunity to take the lead role for the Women’s Philanthropy Fund in Orange County is the culmination of more than a decade of work with the United Way. She was recognized in 2010 by the United Way as one the region’s top leaders with efforts to rebuild the community and help people in critical need. “The WPF is a powerful way for women in business to leverage their collective giving power so we can help make a difference in our community,” Conlon said. “What sets this group apart from other organizations is that philanthropic women who are also top leaders in business and industry pool their expertise to help other women become financially self-sufficient. It’s women helping women, which ultimately benefits everyone in the Orange County community.” Conlon has already established several goals for the 2013 program. “First, we want to retain and grow our membership, which currently stands at more than 100 women here in Orange County,” Conlon said. “We also want our members to increase their involvement as volunteers in the community on a more regular basis in 2013. Third, we want to take our very successful annual breakfast, which has raised more than $1.2 million for local programs, to the next level. The 2013 breakfast event will be celebrating its tenth year on May 1 at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine. In addition to honoring the many philanthropists in our organization, we will be raising funds to help women and girls with such basic needs as housing and education, as well as programs to help them develop financial stability.” Max L. Gardner, president and CEO of United Way Orange County, applauded Conlon for her longtime involvement with the organization and vision for the coming year. “Karen is deeply dedicated to helping others grow their business and leadership skills, and we are fortunate to have her leading the charge this year,” Gardner said. “When you look at Karen’s own career path of guiding the California Association of Community Managers for more than 20 years, you realize what a strong leader we have for the Women’s Philanthropy Fund. Karen is an international expert at building successful coalitions and inspirational programs, and we look forward to a year of huge growth under her stewardship.” For more information about Orange County United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Fund, please visit womensphilanthropyfund.org. CACM, based in Laguna Hills, Calif., was the first community association management organization in the nation to establish a California-specific educational program leading to the designation of Certified Community Association Manager™ (CCAM®) for industry professionals. CACM’s membership is comprised of more than 3,000 California-based professionals from the community association management industry. California is home to more than 49,000 associations, making it a multi-billion dollar industry for the state. For more information on CACM, please visit cacm.org.
November 27, 2012