Karen Robuck
Huntington Beach,CA
Summary
Strategic philanthropy and marketing executive with 15+ years of experience leading high-impact fundraising initiatives, operationalizing execution excellence, and aligning marketing, communications, and development strategies to drive sustainable revenue growth. Proven success in cultivating multimillion-dollar philanthropic outcomes across corporate, foundation, individual, and community-based giving channels. Experienced advisor to CEOs and Boards, with demonstrated ability to build and scale donor pipelines, oversee institutional grants strategy, implement SOPs, and lead cross-functional teams through complex, mission-driven initiatives. Skilled in Moves Management, budget forecasting, CRM oversight, and board-level reporting. Recognized for cultivating high-net-worth relationships, securing corporate partnerships, and building philanthropic infrastructures that increase efficiency, accountability, and long-term growth. Entrepreneurial, data-informed, and equity-minded leader committed to advancing mission-driven organizations serving vulnerable populations.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Philanthropy Director
Translational Pulmonary Immunology and Research Center (TPIRC)
Long Beach, CA
11.2024 - Current
- Lead all fundraising strategy and execution, reporting directly to the CEO and Board while driving the foundation’s highest revenue year to date.
- Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all scholarships (military, patient care grant, and African Ancestry grant), ensuring streamlined fund distribution, compliance, and fiscal stewardship.
- Expanded the donor pipeline by 30% through strategic prospect research, relationship mapping, and diversified outreach strategies.
- Cultivated and closed 20 new corporate partnerships, generating $525K+ in Q3 & Q4 2025.
- Executed multiple high-impact donor cultivation initiatives, building strong relationships with high-net-worth individuals and celebrity athletes to deepen engagement and stewardship.
- Successfully organized, produced, and managed 4 key donor cultivation events in Q2 and Q3 2025, generating $425K.
- Prepared and presented CY2026 budget, grant outlook, and major gifts strategy, generating $2.5M+ projected revenue for 2026 (highest in foundation history).
- Present detailed monthly philanthropy reports to CEO and Board reflecting donor interactions, solicitations, pipeline performance, and contribution tracking.
- Conduct regular donor meetings utilizing storytelling, data-driven outcomes, and tailored messaging to articulate mission impact and funding opportunities.
Director of Special Projects
Circle K
Corona, CA
08.2019 - 09.2024
- Directed philanthropic infrastructure, enterprise-wide initiatives, and global brand-aligned events for a large-scale corporate organization.
- Created and implemented the organization’s philanthropic structure, generating $4.7M+ in donations since 2020.
- Developed and executed comprehensive global events aligned with brand positioning and corporate strategy.
- Built and scaled an annual community outreach program serving foster families across California, Oregon, Washington, and orphanages in Mexico, delivering over 5,000 meals.
- Managed and cultivated relationships with foundations, corporations, vendors, and community partners to ensure exceptional execution and measurable impact.
- Analyzed KPIs established by leadership; set performance benchmarks and provided strategic guidance to teams.
- Conducted post-event data analysis to optimize future fundraising and engagement strategies.
- Researched and reported on sensitive strategic initiatives at the direction of the Vice President.
- Managed competing executive-level priorities with diplomacy, discretion, and operational precision.
Director of Program Management
SEB Professional (SchaererUSA)
Santa Ana, CA
07.2017 - 07.2019
- Led enterprise integration and operational scaling within a $130M organization.
- Directed integration of SchaererUSA and Wilbur Curtis using Agile project management methodologies to align leadership, milestones, and stakeholder expectations.
- Managed a $1.5M renovation project, delivering on time and within budget while exceeding quality benchmarks.
- Implemented financial protocols and conducted operational audits to optimize resource allocation and productivity metrics.
- Enhanced global operational efficiency by standardizing reporting protocols across international sister brands.
Chief of Staff
Transportation Corridor Agencies
Irvine, CA
12.2014 - 07.2017
- Senior advisor to the CEO within a public agency environment.
- Coordinated and led executive engagements with the Board of Directors.
- Drafted confidential correspondence and government-facing reports.
- Anticipated and resolved Board-level concerns in collaboration with executive leadership.
- Identified and corrected executive budget inconsistencies; ensured fiscal accuracy and forecasting integrity.
- Spearheaded development of SOPs for accounts payable, enhancing financial transparency and compliance.
- Implemented project management best practices to ensure performance standards were met across departments.
Director, Marketing & Development
CareMore Health (An Anthem Company)
Cerritos, CA
08.2012 - 12.2014
- Led Southern California and Las Vegas marketing strategy integrating consumer insights, commercial strategies, and product positioning.
- Managed commercial marketing budget and optimized allocation for maximum ROI.
- Increased commercial enrollment 63% in Las Vegas (Q3–Q4 2012), making it the top-performing region.
- Achieved 70.83% surge in Medicare membership during 2012 AEP.
- Negotiated national product placement in the film Grudge Match, increasing brand visibility.
- Delivered strategic growth plans aligned with corporate objectives.
Marketing Manager
CareMore Health (An Anthem Company)
Cerritos, CA
05.2012 - 08.2012
- Directed 10 concurrent cross-departmental initiatives, improving workflow efficiency.
- Increased regional market share by 25% through strategic execution and cross-functional collaboration.
- Secured critical personnel and operational resources to support business objectives.
Executive Assistant to President
CareMore Health (An Anthem Company)
Cerritos, CA
08.2009 - 05.2012
- Managed executive calendar, travel, and strategic coordination.
- Served as gatekeeper to President; aligned priorities and deadlines.
- Reconciled corporate financial processes, reducing discrepancies by 15%.
- Managed logistics for marketing programs and conferences using project management best practices.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Business Administration
California State University
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Care And Education
University of Delaware
Bachelor of Business Administration - English Literature
University of Oxford
Skills
- Strategic Fundraising & Revenue Growth
- Major Gifts & Corporate Partnerships
- Institutional & Foundation Grants
- Moves Management Strategy
- Board Engagement & Reporting
- Budget Forecasting & Fiscal Stewardship
- Donor Pipeline Expansion
- Marketing & Brand Strategy
- Event-Based Fundraising
- CRM & Donor Database Oversight (Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge)
- Operational Scaling & SOP Development
- Agile Methodologies & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Data Analysis & KPI Management
- DEI-Aligned Community Engagement
- Public Speaking & Executive Presentations
Accomplishments
- $7.7M+ raised across nonprofit and corporate philanthropy initiatives
- $2.5M+ projected Major & Principal Gifts revenue for CY2026 (highest in foundation history)
- $500K–$1M+ gifts secured from individuals, family foundations, and corporate partners
- 150+ donor/prospect portfolios managed across individuals, foundations, and corporations
- 20+ corporate partnerships cultivated and closed
- 30% donor pipeline growth through strategic prospecting and relationship development
- 4 major donor events producing $425K in new revenue
- Experience operating within federated, matrixed, and multi-region environments
- Strategic Fundraising & Donor Development: Major & Principal Gifts ($100K–$1M+), Donor Analytics, Prospect Research, Pipeline Expansion, Stewardship
- Leadership & Operations: Team Leadership, Executive Advising, Board Relations, SOP Development, Budgeting & Forecasting, KPIs, Risk Management
- Relationship Management: UHNW & Family Foundations, Corporate Partnerships, Cross‑Functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement
- Marketing & Communications: Event Strategy, Digital Storytelling, Public Speaking, Thought Leadership Support
- Tools & Technology: Salesforce, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Givebutter, Asana, Smartsheet, Microsoft
Philanthropy | Impact Snapshot
Core Leadership Competences
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Philanthropy Director
Translational Pulmonary Immunology and Research Center (TPIRC)
11.2024 - Current
Director of Special Projects
Circle K
08.2019 - 09.2024
Director of Program Management
SEB Professional (SchaererUSA)
07.2017 - 07.2019
Chief of Staff
Transportation Corridor Agencies
12.2014 - 07.2017
Director, Marketing & Development
CareMore Health (An Anthem Company)
08.2012 - 12.2014
Marketing Manager
CareMore Health (An Anthem Company)
05.2012 - 08.2012
Executive Assistant to President
CareMore Health (An Anthem Company)
08.2009 - 05.2012
Master of Business Administration - Business Administration
California State University
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Care And Education
University of Delaware
Bachelor of Business Administration - English Literature
University of Oxford