Karen Handelman is the founder, president, and candy bowl filler at 501creative, a firm that works exclusively with nonprofit organizations to help them communicate and fundraise efficiently and effectively. She and her team of designers, programmers, and strategists develop branding, messaging, campaign materials, and websites for nonprofits throughout the country.
In the mid-90s, she and her husband, Marc Hirshman, spent a year volunteering full-time for Habitat for Humanity in Georgia and North Carolina, where they lived with volunteers from around the country and learned about construction, substandard housing, small towns, Piggly Wiggly, and the inside workings of nonprofits. It was life- and career-changing and led to her founding 501creative.
Karen is a founding board member of Access MO, and is serving her third term on her condo association board. Previously, she served on the Crossroads College Prep Board of Trustees, co-chaired the Carleton College Parents Advisory Council, and was president of the Camp for All Kids Board of Directors. She earned her BFA from the University of Michigan and is a proud alumnus of The Michigan Daily.
Karen is passionate about reproductive freedom, social justice, and grammar. She loves snowshoeing, campfires, cycling up mountains, Miss Hulling’s split layer cake, and Greek salads (hold the olives).