About Us

Karen S. Recht

Karen has over twenty years experience in nonprofit fundraising and management. Karen served Stanford University from 1987 to 2006. As Associate Director of Development for the Graduate School of Business she was responsible for the organization and stewardship of alumni for up to eight figure gifts. She supported the Dean and Associate Deans in cultivation activities as well as managing nationwide volunteer relationships. Prior to that she led Stanford Athletics fundraising to five consecutive record-breaking years as Assistant Athletic Director of Development.

Her background also includes extensive experience with major gifts, as Associate Director of Major Gifts for Stanford University Office of Development and as Director of Major Gifts for Stanford Athletics. She has supported the identification and cultivation of major gift prospects as well as developed and implemented strategies for major gift solicitations. In these activities she has worked with numerous constituencies within and outside of the Stanford University community.

In the profit making sector Karen has served as Vice President for Sales at Commonfund Inworks and as Assistant Vice President of Corporate Banking for San Jose for Bank of America.

Karen received her BA from Smith College and her MBA from Stanford University. She has a well-developed knowledge of both the French and Spanish language. She lives in Menlo Park, California.