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Karen Grannemann Receives 2019 ATHENA

Leadership Award

THOUGH COVID-19 CAUSED A DELAY OF
SEVERAL MONTHS in the ATHENA Awards
presentations, the moment was just as special
for this year’s recipient, Karen Grannemann.
The ATHENA Awards program was initially
scheduled for March 24 but had to be postponed
due to the COVID pandemic. Grannemann,
CEO and general manager, was the University
Club at Michigan State University, formally
received the ATHENA Award at a virtual
presentation hosted by the Lansing Regional
Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 8.

“COVID may have prevented us from getting Grannemann
together, but there is one thing it cannot
change, “said Grannemann. “How much this
award means to me and how grateful I am.”

Karen was recognized with the ATHENA
award due to her excellence in professional Palmer Jenny Quinn and Trista Parisian
leadership throughout a career that has
spanned more than 40 years, her tireless “Since we couldn’t be together, I decided to create a community project we could
commitment that has made a lasting impact do together,” said Grannemann. “Even in this time of separation.”
in the community service arena, and her
passionate support in mentoring other women. Learn more about the project and how to participate by attending the program
by visiting www.lansingreads.org.
Karen came to her position at the U-Club
following a highly successful 20-year career Karen closed her remarks by paying tribute to her husband, Norman, a
at the Educational Institute at the American Auld hydrogeologist who has spent much of his career on work related to the Great
Hotel and Lodging Association. She noted Lakes. They are proud parents of two adult daughters, who continue their
that her frequent travels kept her from being home with the family, and meant mother’s leadership skills and dedication to community service. Sarah is vice
her knowledge of the community was very limited, something she set out to president of Baltimore Corps, a nonprofit that enlists talent to accelerate social
change when she transitioned to the U-Club. innovation in Baltimore and advance a city-wide agenda for equity and racial
justice. Laura is vice president of strategic investments for Quicken Loans.
“While my girls were still young, I went to work at the U-Club, a place that
epitomizes community,” said Grannemann. “I quickly learned how much I had The ATHENA program also served as an opportunity to recognize recent
been missing.” recipients of the ATHENAPowerLink (APL) Award. This program that
matches a deserving entrepreneur with a panel of experts who provide
Karen immersed herself in the community and over the past two decades mentoring and consulting for one year, a program valued at $50,000. 2019
has held leadership roles in a wide array of civic and service organizations, recipient Leslie Auld of Therapy Today Counseling and Consulting said her
including Zonta Club of East Lansing Area, Okemos School District, Ronald panel helped her grow her business and refine her processes.
McDonald House of Mid-Michigan, Literacy Volunteers of America, Junior
League of Lansing, 100 Women Who Care, Wharton Center for Performing “They also helped me grow as a leader,” said Auld. “I have grown so much over
Arts, Greater Lansing Food Bank, Lansing Promise Foundation, Habitat for the year.”
Humanity Women Build, Athena WIN, and the Sparrow Foundation. She has
made a significant impact on the effectiveness of each organization and the 2020 APL recipient Lauren Palmer of Curvaceous Lingerie has had a most
achievement of its goals. interesting year, most notably with COVID, which has hit the retail business
particularly hard. She also had a baby in July.
In response to the cancellation of the annual awards gathering, Grannemann
used the virtual program to spotlight the community and invited everyone to “There have been a few monkey wrenches that we have been encountering and
join her in a project designed to enhance the love of reading in the Lansing battling,” said Palmer. “I have to say the PowerLink advisors that I have been
School District. The program, called Lansing Reads, has three goals: to gifted with over the course of the year have been instrumental, allowing me to
provide every student with a CADL library card, to collect at least 200 videos push through everything.”
of area residents reading children’s books, and to raise $50,000 for Reading
Is Fundamental (RIF), an organization that distributes children’s books to The program also provided an opportunity to announce the 2021 APL
LSD students. recipients, Jenny Quinn, and Trista Parisian of Flex City Fitness. n

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