As a leading fundraising auctioneer in the United States, Karen
Sorbo's dedication to her profession, its purpose and results, has
impacted deserving organizations across the continent. Her natural
unbridled energy, a commanding yet elegant stage presence combined with
precision techniques, have engaged audiences across North America. Karen
has raised over $250 million dollars conducting over 2,100 auctions
since graduating from both the Missouri Auctioneer School and World Wide
College of Auctioneering in 1993.
Karen has dedicated her life to her passionate pursuits of making a
difference whether it is sharing her story of triumphs as a motivational
speaker or exceeding the fundraising goals of the organizations' she
serves as an auctioneer. She has used her life experiences to cultivate
her compassionate heart for helping others and to best use her talents
to inspire others to do the same.
Karen understands hardships and the emotional toll they can have. For
example, as a young teenager she was stricken with a debilitating
kidney disease that temporarily paralyzed her. This left her in a
wheelchair pondering whether she would ever walk again and what will
become of her life. Fortunately, she "miraculously" recovered (as cited
in her University of Minnesota Hospital records) from this ailment and
is forever grateful for what she learned from this traumatic experience.
It taught her to love, appreciate and empathize with others regardless
of what hardships they have faced.
She has built a successful career through her overflowing love and
compassion for people. She has developed strong working relationships
with the organizations she serves. Over time, she has achieved
"celebrity status" as her clients are always eager to sign her up as the
"headliner" for their annual events.
Karen's dedication to a cause goes beyond her "star" performance on
the stage. Through the years she has developed a philanthropic spirit.
For instance, if she sees a newer and smaller organization struggling to
reach their financial goals, she enlists her mother to make the winning
bid on her behalf for items in the live auction that are not performing
as expected.
Also, Karen studies and lives the organization's mission, so she can
enlighten the audience to the needs of each worthy cause. In March 2006,
she was part of a delegation that traveled to Peru for Smile Network
International, a Minnesota-based non-profit. This delegation included
doctors who performed necessary surgeries to repair the cleft lips and
palates of children. Karen was able to see first-hand the importance of
this organization's work in putting smiles back on children's faces. She
used this experience to emphasize the urgency of raising funds for
these life-changing procedures.
This powerful and popular business woman has achieved national
recognition as an auctioneer and spokesperson for important causes. SKaren is highly
regarded for her knowledge and expertise as a fundraiser that she is
often featured in magazines or TV programs. In 2011, she earned the
prestiqous honor of being selected as part of the 2011 "Women of
Influence" speakers series by the Minnesota Monthly Magazine. In January of 2012, Karen was interviewed on Access to Experts TV highlighting her journey of building a successful career.
Since embarking on this ambitious profession in 1993, she has been a
member of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and Minnesota State
Auctioneers Association (MSAA). Karen joined the Women Speakers
Associations (WSA) in 2012 as a founding member to showcase her
specialty as a fundraising auctioneer to a larger audience. She was
featured in the April 2012 eNewsletter as one of the "Women You Need To
Know" to illustrate her drive and passion of not only meeting, but also
exceeding her clients' expectations.
Karen's level of experience encompasses financial motivation over a
wide spectrum of programs: including environmental, private and public
schools, churches, community projects, and an ever expanding range of
non-profit organizations. Karen further enhances the experience with
solid attention to detail and planning, providing the most powerful
fundraising tools and services available. This results in the client's
comfortable foreknowledge of the events complete success.
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