Karmen Lemke: Creating a Legacy of Opportunity for Women and Girls

For Karmen Lemke, involvement with The Women’s Fund began not with a grand plan, but with a simple conversation and an open heart. While volunteering at her local parish, she was invited by Diane Roundy, a fellow volunteer, to learn more about the Women’s Fund. That moment sparked a journey that would grow into years of leadership, advocacy, and ultimately, a lasting philanthropic legacy.

Karmen’s professional background in community relations helped shape her early engagement. During her time working at Wisconsin Public Service, she became involved with the Women’s Fund serving on the advisory board and participating on the marketing committee where she helped lead one of the early Power of the Purse (now known as Powerful) events. She also hosted informal gatherings to invite others into the mission, believing deeply that philanthropy should feel welcoming and attainable to all.

That belief, that anyone can be a philanthropist, ultimately inspired Karmen to establish a named fund within the Women’s Fund. Encouraged by peers and guided by examples of other women who had gone before her, she realized that meaningful giving was not defined by a single large gift, but by intention, creativity, and commitment over time.

The creation of the Karmen Lemke Family Fund for Women & Girls in honor of Lauren, Lindsay & Leah Lemke was made possible through thoughtful planning and available resources, including an employer matching gift program and the flexibility to contribute over several years. This approach allowed Karmen to establish her fund in a way that was both financially manageable and deeply meaningful.

As a mother of three daughters, honoring Lauren, Lindsay, and Leah was central to Karmen’s vision. The fund reflects her hope to not only support women and girls in the community, but also to model generosity and civic engagement for her daughters, creating a legacy that extends across generations.

Today, Karmen reflects with gratitude on the impact of her fund and the community behind it. Seeing how the fund has grown and continues to support women and girls has reaffirmed her belief in the power of collective generosity and reminded her that philanthropy is not a one-time act, but an ongoing opportunity to make a difference.

To learn more about creating a named fund, contact the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation at 920.432.0800.