Page 8 - January 2019 | Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal

BarJournal COLuMN

JULY/AUGUST 2015
TIOn rOCk THE fOUndATIOn

‘lAndMArk CElEBrATIOn’

TO HOnOr kArEn PAGAnInI
BAr fOUndA
Of THE k & d GrOUP

Stephanie dutchess Trudeau

CMBF President

very year, we host the Rock the became involved in the historic restorations of investment into downtown Cleveland, and serves
Foundation fundraising gala to Cleveland’s noteworthy buildings. This includes as a Vice Chair on DCA’s Board of Directors.
benefit our nationally-recognized the transformation of the Hanna Annex She also ensures that K&D supports numerous
public outreach programs that work building in Playhouse Square, the East Ohio Gas charitable and community organizations
E to improve the lives of Cleveland Building, the Halle department store building, through the company’s double or even triple
youth, grow the next generation of legal the Cleveland Leader newspaper building, the matching of employee donations, participation
professionals, and support our nonprofit and Residences at 1717 and the Residences at 668. in local food drives, support of animal protection
arts communities. As part of our celebration, we K&D owns and manages a diverse portfolio organizations, and donation of ticket sales from
honor a deserving member of our community that spans 39 properties and nearly 11,000 the Terminal Tower Observation Deck, to name
with the Richard W. Pogue Award for a few. “It’s important to me to
Excellence in Community Leadership engage our employees and residents
and Engagement. This year, we will in charitable giving, and also to
present the award to Karen Paganini, teach my son to give back,” she said.
President and Chief Operating “I would love to focus on my charity
Officer of The K&D Group. work even more in the future.”
Ms. Paganini is the “K” in The Ms. Paganini describes herself
K&D Group, Northeast Ohio’s as a true Clevelander, who is
largest privately owned property committed to the success of our
management and development city. She loves everything about
firm. Currently, she is involved Cleveland — from the sports teams,
with the redevelopment of the to Playhouse Square, to being out
Terminal Tower, a prominent on the lake — and appreciates
part of our city’s beautiful skyline, everything the city has to offer.
into residential suites. “I truly love “People ask us about opportunities
and cherish the opportunity to elsewhere all the time,” she said. “I
work on and restore underutilized could live anywhere, but I choose to
buildings,” she said. “Every building be here. Cleveland is home and this
has its own story and feeling, is where we focus our business.”
and I take pride in restoring and We are so pleased to be
preserving Cleveland’s history.” able to honor Ms. Paganini’s
This year’s Rock the Foundation karen Paganini exceptional community leadership
theme, “A Landmark Celebration,” and dedication to preserving
is fitting as we honor Ms. Paganini, whose residential units. The historic Beaux-Arts- Cleveland’s history by giving her the
company is known for its extensive involvement style Keith Building, which houses the Palace Foundation’s most prestigious service award
in the renovation and redevelopment of some of Theater, and the art deco Post Office Plaza at our Rock the Foundation event. She does
Cleveland’s most iconic landmark buildings. are part of K&D’s portfolio of more than one not seek the spotlight and, when I contacted
A Cleveland native, she built The K&D million square feet of commercial properties. her about presenting her with this award, her
Group with her business partner Doug Price In addition to her real estate endeavors, humble nature made her reluctant to be the
from a small, family business into the dynamic, Ms. Paganini is dedicated to giving back to focus of attention. She shifted our conversation
400-person company that it is today. Along the community. She is actively involved with away from herself and, beaming with pride as
the way, K&D began acquiring underutilized the Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA), a she spoke about her son, said “Being a good
properties in downtown Cleveland and nonprofit committed to enhancing and attracting mom” is what brings her the greatest joy.
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