With three decades in collegiate athletics, spanning Division I and III roles at Lafayette, Colgate, and Williams, Karen, alongside husband Mike Whalen, joined Wesleyan in 2010 as Associate Director of Alumni and Parent Relations in University Relations. In that capacity, she elevated communications and financial operations, strengthening Wesleyan’s connection with its alumni and family community.
In 2015, Karen was appointed the University’s first Director of Athletic Fundraising and has since led the department’s entire philanthropic strategy in supplementing team budgets in support of staffing, facilities, and the overall student-athlete experience across all 30 varsity programs. In 2017, she launched Wesleyan Athletics Giving Day (WAGD) and has driven the campaign to historic heights—exceeding $1 million in 2024, marking the first time that milestone was achieved.
Under Karen’s leadership, the Athletics fundraising team has expanded—from a one-person shop to adding an Assistant Director to now supervising a full-time Development Officer—building a strong structure to meet departmental priorities. She plays a pivotal role in bridging Athletics and the Advancement Office, ensuring donor investments are aligned with Wesleyan’s competitive rise and associated fiscal needs.
While celebrating these milestones, Karen remains focused on long-term financial resilience—working to diversify revenue, grow endowment support, and ensure sustained fiscal sustainability for Cardinal Athletics.
A Temple University graduate with credentials in athletic training and administration, she brings an athlete-first perspective and disciplined operational insight to her donor-centric work. Karen’s strategic leadership in engagement, philanthropy, and athletics administration has been fundamental to Wesleyan’s sustained competitive athletic excellence during the Mike Whalen era.
