Empowering Nonprofits: Karen Schub Epstein Discusses Her Work with PenPAC

Her Success Story

This week Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Karen Schub Epstein. The two talk about the transition from corporate to nonprofit work, the innovative volunteer model of PennPAC, strategies for scaling nonprofit operations, and the importance of professional development and networking for nonprofit leaders.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How PennPAC engages volunteers and nonprofits

• What types of projects PennPAC volunteers are involved in

• Why infrastructure development is crucial for PennPAC’s growth

• What PennPAC is and how it operates

• How networking plays a vital role in success

Karen Shub Epstein-Executive Director of PennPAC

Karen Schub Epstein spent 12 years in the private sector, starting her career in public accounting at Ernst and Young. She then joined Interpublic where she focused on mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, financial analysis, human resources, systems implementations, business development and strategy.

In 2005, Karen transitioned to the nonprofit world. She spent the next 10 years at the Growth Philanthropy Network, an organization focused on building a capital marketplace for high-performing organizations that serve at-risk populations. Her work there focused on evaluation, program design, strategy, and operations.

In 2019, Karen joined PennPAC, a nonprofit that mobilizes Penn alumni to strengthen other nonprofit organizations. As the Executive Director, Karen oversees the strategic direction of PennPAC as well as the fundraising and finances. During her 5 year tenure, the organization has grown its programming, expanded geographically, and strengthened its infrastructure. She is also on the Board of Directors of Youth Action YouthBuild where she serves as Treasurer and Finance Chair.

Karen graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in accounting from the Wharton School of Business and psychology from the College of Arts & Sciences. She has an MBA from the Executive program at Columbia University where she graduated with honors.

Website: https://pennpac.org/

Social Media Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennpac-pro-bono-alumni-consulting-/

https://www.facebook.com/PennPAC/

https://www.instagram.com/pennpac/