Karen Sorbo

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. read more » 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.